Irisheyesareflying Heads Berkeley Field

Irisheyesareflying heads the field for the $100,000 Berkeley Handicap (gr. III) Saturday at Golden Gate Fields. A hefty roster of 11 is slated to face the starter for the one-mile contest over the main track.

Claimed for $50,000 in May 2000, Irisheyesareflying banked better than $500,000 for owners Lloyd Graham, Alice Taylor, and John and Cathy Dolan. John also trains. Among Irisheyesareflying's conquests last year were the $250,000 Longacres Mile at Emerald Downs and the $250,000 California Cup Classic at Santa Anita.

Irisheyesareflying is winless in three 2002 tries, but ran third in the grade II San Antonio Handicap and sixth in the Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I).

I'madrifter, winner of the $100,000 Lafayette Handicap New Year's Day at Golden Gate, will dispute the Berkeley, along with Takin It Deep, who ran third in the Tanforan Handicap (gr.IIIT). Bring the Heat has hit the board in all six career tries, including a third in the Real Good Deal at Del Mar. Palmeiro looks to regain his promising form of a year ago, while Ironman Dehere and Profound Secret invade from Turf Paradise.

The field for the Berkeley Handicap, in post position order with jockeys and weights:

Withholding Info (Joey Castro, 112)
Bring the Heat (Frank Alvarado, 112)
I'madrifter (Jose Arriaga, 116)
Irisheyesareflying (Jose Valdivia Jr., 120)
Takin It Deep (Russell Baze, 116)
Palmeiro (Jason Lumpkins, 116)
Profound Secret (Dave Wilson, 114)
Ironman Dehere (David Patton, 113)
Boss Ego (Chad Schvaneveldt, 114)
Moonlight Meeting (Adalberto Lopez, 114)
Sirpa (Ron Warren Jr., 114)