Gaines surprised by Golden Sentry's debut win
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The 2-year-old gelding Golden Sentry left trainer Carla Gaines slightly surprised by his commanding win in a five-furlong maiden race on turf at Del Mar on Thursday.
“We were wanting to get him started,” Gaines said on Friday morning. “We thought five furlongs would be too short, but let’s get him in a race.”
Nope. Five furlongs was fine for the first-time starter.
Ridden by Kazushi Kimura, Golden Sentry ($8.40) closed from third in a field of eight to win the maiden race for statebreds by 3 3/4 lengths. He was timed in 57.16 seconds.
Gaines said Golden Sentry emerged from the race “in very good” condition.
“We’re thinking he’s a two-turn horse down the road,” she said.
The opportunity could occur as soon as Sept. 5, in the Grade 3 Del Mar Juvenile Turf at a mile. Another option is the $100,000 I’m Smokin Stakes for statebred 2-year-olds at six furlongs on dirt on Sept. 7, closing day of the current meeting.
“He trains well on the dirt,” she said. “He looked like a different animal on the grass. That would be the big decision.”
Golden Sentry, who races for Mark Devereaux and Scott Gross, won the first of two maiden races for statebreds on turf Thursday.
In the day’s fifth race, the first-time starter Liberty Cat ($13.80) recorded a one-length win at 5-1 for trainer and co-owner Brian Koriner. Liberty Cat, who was ridden by Antonio Fresu, is co-owned by Roderick Faurot.
Liberty Cat was timed in 58.07 seconds.
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