Camino Del Paraiso repeats in Joseph T. Grace Stakes

Favored Camino Del Paraiso won his fourth straight stakes at Golden Gate Fields on Saturday as he repeated last year's victory in the $64,250 Joseph T. Grace Stakes.

There was a twist this year as the race was switched from turf to the main track. His other stakes wins, including two in the Rolling Green, had come on turf, but prior to the race trainer O.J. Jauregui had said he believed the 8-year-old Suances gelding ran just as well on Golden Gate's Tapeta surface.

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Usually a stalker, Camino Del Paraiso got into trouble when boxed in on the first turn and sat back farther than usual. Jockey Catalino Martinez didn't panic and was able to move him into contending position on the second turn. He was racing four wide, but he had horse under him and got a clear trip into the lane.

Camino Del Paraiso quickly took command of the race, wearing down pacesetting Mecklenburg, who hung on gamely to be third, losing second by a nose.

Big Fish closed belatedly for second but didn't seriously challenge the winner, who won by 1 ¾ lengths and covered 1 1/16 miles in 1:43.49. Camino Del Paraiso paid $4.20.

“He's a trier,” said Jauregui of Camino Del Paraiso, who earned $39,450 for his ninth win in 44 starts. Owned by Paraiso Road Ranch, he has career earnings of $559,392.