Gabo's Macondo, More Power to Him meet again in All American

Monday’s Grade 3, $100,000 All American will be the rubber match between the evenly matched Gabo’s Macondo and More Power to Him, but contention in the one-mile race runs much deeper than just those two.

Gabo’s Macondo, claimed for $20,000 last July at Sacramento, won three straight for trainer Jonathan Wong, wrapping up his 2018 campaign with a front-running victory over More Power to Him, holding on by a neck in the Bull Dog at Fresno. The two met again here May 4 in a second-level allowance race on turf with an optional $62,500 claiming price. It was Gabo’s Macondo’s first start since the Bull Dog, and he again set the pace, only to have More Power to Him edge him by a nose in the final stride to get his first career turf win.

“We nominated him to the [Grade 3, $200,000] San Francisco Mile, but that would have been a tough place to come back in,” said Wong.

“He ran great,” said Wong, who is pleased with his star’s strong work since the race.

More Power to Him’s trainer, Faith Taylor, is also pleased and ready to roll with her 5-year-old Slew’s Tiznow horse. Finally winning on turf gives her confidence that the Brett Mason homebred, who has five seconds, three thirds, and two fourths in 12 stakes tries, can pick up an elusive stakes win.

“He’s sharp right now,” said Taylor. “He’s feeling good, and the timing’s good.”

More Power to Him will also try to turn the tables on Choo Choo, just as he did with Gabo’s Macondo last time. Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer will run Choo Choo and Grecian Fire, who finished third and fifth in the San Francisco Mile. Choo Choo ran second and first in the two starts before finishing third in the San Francisco Mile. More Power to Him finished third in each of those two races.

Grecian Fire, third in last year’s All American, was fifth in the Mile after winning a sprint in his 2019 debut.

“They’re both doing well,” said Hollendorfer, who is also happy with their preparation heading into the race.

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KEY CONTENDERS

Choo Choo, by English Channel
Last 3 Beyers: 94-84-85

◗ Stalking speed should play well.

◗ Won the California Derby over the track.

◗ Has a high cruising level and can keep going.

Gabo’s Macondo, by Cape Blanco
Last 3 Beyers: 84-85-88

◗ Speedster on rail but can stalk if Many Roses guns it early.

◗ Maintained improved form during layoff.

◗ Solid work since unlucky loss.

More Power to Him, by Slew’s Tiznow
Last 3 Beyers: 84-78-79

◗ Just did something he’d never done.

◗ Might be better with more distance.

◗ Late run may be aided by brisk pace.