Camino Del Paraiso returns from layoff in bid for Rolling Green repeat
In one sense, Monday’s $50,000 Rolling Green at Golden Gate Fields could be described as the returning champ defends his title against an up-and-comer.
But analyzing the 1 1/16-mile turf test is not that simple.
Yes, Camino Del Paraiso is back to defend his title against seven challengers, including 3-year-old Jungle Cry, who is coming off an easier-than-looks victory in the Robert Dupret Derby at the same distance over this course last month. But as usually happens with stakes at Golden Gate, there’s a Southern California contingent that can’t be overlooked, including Proud Pedro and Cupid’s Claws.
Proud Pedro, like Camino Del Paraiso, will be making his 2021 debut after nine months on the sidelines. Cupid’s Claws, second here earlier this year in the All American and also second more recently in the Grade 3 Cougar II at Del Mar, is coming off an eighth-place finish in the Grade 1 Pacific Classic on Aug. 21 at Del Mar.
Cupid’s Claws has a win and a second in his two starts over the Golden Gate turf course, but his greatest success has come on the main track. Proud Pedro was a factor going longer in a trio of graded turf stakes last year, but he’s still looking for his first stakes victory.
Trainer Steve Specht nominated Jungle Cry to Saturday’s Grade 2 Del Mar Derby against fellow 3-year-olds, but opted to stay home at Golden Gate for the Rolling Green against older rivals.
“It will be a little tough, but we’ll see where we’re at,” Specht said. “This will be a smaller field, and if he does win there’s still some 3-year-old races at Santa Anita to look at.”
Jungle Cry ran in tandem with the filly Shore Break, leading by a head at each call in the Dupret, before pulling away in the lane while winning easily.
“He just kinda goes along in the barn and works good all the time,” said Specht, who gave his gelding one five-furlong drill since the Aug. 14 victory.
Camino Del Paraiso returns to the races after missing time because of an eye injury, trainer O.J. Jauregui said. The 8-year-old Suances gelding won the Joseph Grace over this course after winning the Rolling Green. He also was third in last year’s Grade 3 San Francisco Mile.
“He’s a professional,” Jauregui said. “He likes to train and he’s been working really well. When he’s doing good, he trains like that.”
Camino Del Paraiso has 13 works since returning to the track on June 6.
“Normally, you like to get a race under him, but he’s ready to run,” Jauregui said.