Camino Del Paraiso gets off bench to win second straight Rolling Green
Defending champion Camino Del Paraiso ($7) captured his second straight Rolling Green at Golden Gate Fields on Monday in his 2021 racing debut.
The 8-year-old Suances gelding defeated 3-year-old Jungle Cry by a neck in the 1 1/16-mile turf race worth $60,750 for his eight victory. He won in a faster time, 1:42.70, than he recorded last year, 1:43.09.
“He tried hard. He tired a little bit at the end, but he got the job done,” said winning training O.J. Jauregui, who felt going into the race that his veteran wouldn't need a prep race for his comeback.
Breaking from the outside post in the field of eight, Camino Del Paraiso settled into a nice stalking spot behind 59-1 longshot Hong Kong Cowboy, who set a legitimate pace while racing inside Mecklenberg.
Jungle Cry, bothered a bit early by Hong Kong Cowboy, was inside Camino Del Paraiso as the four maintained those positions until the second turn when Harmon, who would finish third, began to move up.
Hong Kong Cowboy began to tire as Mecklenberg inherited the lead, but Catalino Martinez had Camino Del Paraiso ready to roll. He took the lead into the stretch and dug in to hold off Jungle Cry with Harmon winning a three-way photo for third over Mecklenburg and favored Cupid's Claws.
“Catalino did a great job,” said Jauregui. “He got him in a good spot and kept him comfortable all the way.
“This horse has a big heart and did good for the first time back after all that happened to him.”
An eye injury had kept Camino Del Paraiso out of training.
Jauregui complimented the effort of Jungle Cry. “He ran very good as a 3-year-old,” he said.
Jungle Cry's trainer, Steve Specht, was “very happy” with Jungle Cry's effort after getting bumped early.
Camino Del Paraiso earned $39,400 for his eighth victory in 42 starts and upped his earnings to $519,442 for owner Paradise Road Ranch LLC.