Galilean could try turf in California Dreamin' Stakes

Galilean, winner of the $101,500 Soi Phet Stakes for California-breds on dirt Saturday at Los Alamitos, could have his turf debut at Del Mar, if he remains in the statebred division.

Terry Finley, the founder and chief executive of West Point Thoroughbreds that co-owns Galilean, said Sunday that no decisions have been made on Galilean’s plans for the Del Mar summer meeting.

Two options are the Grade 2 San Diego Handicap at 1 1/16 miles on dirt on July 18 or the $125,000 California Dreamin’ Stakes for statebreds at 1 1/16 miles on turf July 26.

“I don’t think we’d be against” running on turf, Finley said.

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Galilean, by Uncle Mo, has won 4 of 9 starts and earned $442,848. The Soi Phet Stakes was Galilean’s fourth stakes win, all against statebreds or restricted company.

Uncle Mo is among the nation’s leading stallions in overall progeny earnings and progeny earnings on turf.

“The Uncle Mos have shown a real fondness for the turf,” Finley said.

Finley noted the success of Mo Town, an Uncle Mo colt who won the Grade 1 Hollywood Derby on turf at Del Mar in 2017.

The Soi Phet Stakes was Galilean’s first win for trainer John Sadler, who has had the colt in his stable since last fall.

Galilean was trained by Jerry Hollendorfer for his first six starts, a span that included three stakes wins in 2018 and early 2019. Galilean was third in a division of the Grade 2 Rebel Stakes and fifth in the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby on the Triple Crown trail in the spring of 2019.

Galilean was purchased for $600,000 at the 2018 Barretts 2-year-olds in training sale at Del Mar, the most expensive hip at that auction.