Acclimate leads all the way in San Luis Rey Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. - For the fourth time in his 31-race career, Acclimate led throughout a stakes in Saturday’s Grade 3 San Luis Rey Stakes for turf marathoners at Santa Anita.

Ridden by Ricky Gonzalez, Acclimate ($4.20) was unchallenged on the lead for the first mile, and repelled a threat from 6-1 Dicey Mo Chara through the final quarter-mile to win by a half-length for his first stakes win since the Grade 3 San Juan Capistrano Stakes at about 1 3/4 miles on turf last June.

“My horse has such a big heart,” said Gonzalez, the regular rider of Acclimate since last spring.

The $126,000 San Luis Rey Stakes was run at 1 1/2 miles. Acclimate was timed in 2:25.4 and earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 95.

For Acclimate, the victory ended a five-race losing streak since the San Juan Capistrano that included a nose loss in the Grade 2 John Henry Turf Championship here in October and a last-place finish among 14 in the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Del Mar last November. Later in November, Acclimate was second by a length to stablemate Say the Word in the Grade 2 Hollywood Turf Cup at Del Mar.

:: Win big at Santa Anita: Get DRF Past Performances, Picks, Clocker Reports and Betting Strategies.

“He deserves the win after as many good performances as he’s given us,” trainer Phil D’Amato said.

The race complexion changed Saturday morning when morning-line favorite Say the Word was withdrawn after sustaining a minor cut in his stall, D’Amato said.

Award Winner, who won the Grade 2 Charles Whittingham Stakes last May but is winless in his last four starts, was also an early withdrawal. Trainer David Hofmans said in a text message that he does not have any race plans for the 6-year-old gelding.

Acclimate was favored in a field of seven. An 8-year-old gelding by Acclamation, Acclimate took the lead shortly after the start and set fractions of 48.26 seconds for the first half-mile and 1:12.32 for six furlongs.

Dicey Mo Chara, who was third early, loomed alongside Acclimate in the stretch, but could not go by his rival.

“I had the horse, but he hung with the winner,” said jockey Drayden Van Dyke, who rode Dicey Mo Chara.

Current (9-1) finished third after stalking Acclimate for the first mile. Offlee Naughty finished fourth, followed by Red King, Henley’s Joy, and Airman.

Acclimate races for the partnership of the estate of Bud Johnston, Timmy Time Racing, Ryan and Brooke Bartlett, Michael Goritz, and Kenneth Tevelde.

Acclimate, who could have been claimed for $20,000 from maiden races at Del Mar and Los Alamitos in 2018, has won 8 of 31 starts and earned $763,372.

:: Access morning workout reports straight from the tracks and get an edge with DRF Clocker Reports