Freeport Joe takes another Tapeta stakes at Golden Gate, winning All American
In a span of six months, Freeport Joe has built a winning streak in stakes on the synthetic Tapeta track at Golden Gate Fields.
On Monday, Freeport Joe rallied from off the pace to win the $102,250 All American Stakes in an 8-1 upset, edging 11-1 Navy Armed Guard and 5-1 Dicey Mo Chara, who raced in traffic entering the stretch.
Ridden by Assael Espinoza, Freeport Joe ($18) ran a mile in 1:36.40.
Tom’s Surprise, the 2-1 favorite, broke several lengths behind the field and never reached contention, finishing seventh by five lengths.
Freeport Joe rallied from eighth in a field of 10 to race in fourth with a furlong remaining. With a wide rally, Freeport Joe reached the front with a few strides to spare, finishing a half-length in front of Navy Armed Guard, who was a nose in front of Dicey Mo Chara.
Trained by Gloria Haley for Larry Odbert, Freeport Joe won the Grade 3 Berkeley Handicap in a 10-1 upset last November, his most recent start in a stakes on the synthetic track. Earlier this year, Freeport Joe won consecutive allowance races on the surface in January and was later seventh by three lengths after a wide trip in the Grade 3 San Francisco Mile on turf on April 30.
Freeport Joe, a 5-year-old gelding by English Channel, has won 7 of 18 starts and earned $255,824. The Berkeley Handicap and All American Stakes are Freeport Joe’s only stakes wins.