Galilean has no problem with turf in California Dreamin'
DEL MAR, Calif. – Doors are opening for Galilean, an improving son of Uncle Mo whose transition to grass racing went off without a hitch Sunday at Del Mar.
Making his first start on turf in the 10th start of his career, Galilean parlayed a ground-saving journey to a half-length victory as the favorite in the $127,500 California Dreamin’ a statebred turf stakes at 1 1/16 miles.
While winner Galilean benefitted from a perfect trip tucked fourth on the rail under Flavien Prat, second choice Camino Del Paraiso was less fortunate. Uncomfortable in traffic much of the race, he clipped heels at the head of the lane and unseated Drayden Van Dyke.
Van Dyke was not seriously injured, nor was Camino Del Paraiso. “I caught a heel,” Van Dyke said walking back to the jockeys’ room. Camino Del Paraiso clipped the heels of Ultimate Bango. Van Dyke fell to the course, but Camino Del Paraiso stayed on his feet.
“No luck with this horse,” trainer O.J. Jauregui said afterward, adding that initial inspection did not reveal anything amiss with the veteran 7-year-old.
As for four-time dirt stakes winner Galilean, his options are open. In his previous start, he scored a four-length victory in the Soi Phet Stakes at Los Alamitos. The California Dreamin’ was his first on turf.
“A beautiful ride by Flavien (Prat),” trainer John Sadler said. “A ground-saving trip and he liked the turf just as we thought he would. We like to run twice here so we’ll look for something at the end of the meet,” he said without being specific.
Sadler trains Galilean for West Point Thoroughbreds and partners. The 5-for-10 colt gave Sadler his first win of the meet with his 10th runner. Now that Galilean has proven effective on both surfaces, Sadler has options.
All five of Galilean’s stakes victories have been in restricted races. He won the $100,000 Barretts Juvenile in his career debut in 2018, followed by two Cal-bred stakes victories while trained by Jerry Hollendorfer.
Galilean has started four times for Sadler. He paid $4.40 as the favorite.
After longshot runner-up Whooping Jay, Brandothebartender finished a length back in third. Desmond Doss finished fourth. The final time for the 1 1/16-mile turf race was 1:40.87.