This could be Gold Phoenix's time to finally win John Henry
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Gold Phoenix has won an unprecedented four consecutive runnings of the Grade 2 Del Mar Handicap since 2022. He is a seven-time stakes winner and was fourth in the Breeders Cup Turf at Santa Anita in 2023 and at Del Mar last year.
Despite those accomplishments, there is one race that has eluded Gold Phoenix – he is winless in three appearances in the Grade 2 John Henry Turf Championship at Santa Anita. A 7-year-old gelding, Gold Phoenix will make his fourth consecutive appearance in the $200,000 John Henry at 1 1/4 miles on turf on Saturday.
This time, trainer Phil D’Amato insists there is every chance for a winning outcome.
“I think he’s a different horse now,” D’Amato said. “He’s always had weird trips in this race for some reason. He’s had great trips in the Del Mar Handicap.”
Gold Phoenix was beaten a neck in the 2022 John Henry after racing in traffic early. He was fifth in 2023 and again last year after racing wide.
Gold Phoenix, who races for the partnership of Agave Racing Stable, the Little Red Feather Racing syndicate, and Sterling Stables and Marsha Naify, earned a fees-paid berth to the BC Turf on Nov. 1 at Del Mar with his win in the Del Mar Handicap at 1 3/8 miles on turf Aug. 30. Saturday’s race is a prep race for the BC Turf.
Gold Phoenix starts from the outside post in a field of seven that includes three other stakes winners in Balladeer, Dicey Mo Chara, and Stay Hot; the stakes-placed Mondego and Spycatcher; and Rastaman Vibe, who won two starts in allowance/optional-claiming races at 1 3/8 miles on turf at Del Mar during the summer.
Gold Phoenix, who will be ridden by Umberto Rispoli, is expected to make his customary run from off the pace.
“I think in a small field we shouldn’t incur too much trouble and we can get a fair shot at showing what he can do,” D’Amato said.
Stay Hot and Mondego were second and fifth in the Del Mar Handicap, both closing strongly through the final furlong.
Mondego was beaten 1 1/4 lengths at 34-1, four weeks after he won an allowance race at 1 3/8 miles on turf at Del Mar.
“I think he’s capable of making some noise,” trainer Michael McCarthy said. “On his best day, he’s right there. It’s worth taking a swing.”
Stay Hot was beaten a neck in the Del Mar Handicap in his first start at 1 3/8 miles. Stay Hot closed from fifth in a field of nine and raced in traffic with three furlongs remaining before leading briefly in the stretch.
“He got away a little slow and got shuffled back in a slow pace,” trainer Peter Eurton said of the Del Mar Handicap. “The winner is a good horse, but he had the trip of all trips.”
Stay Hot won the $250,000 Texas Turf Classic at 1 1/8 miles on June 28 at Lone Star Park after setting the pace.
On Saturday, Stay Hot is likely to be in pursuit of expected leader Balladeer, who won the 2023 John Henry but is winless in 12 subsequent starts.
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