Gold Phoenix may be Kentucky-bound for Turf Classic

ARCADIA, Calif. – Gold Phoenix’s ninth graded stakes win in Saturday’s Grade 3 San Luis Rey Stakes will prompt discussions about a possible trip to Churchill Downs on Kentucky Derby Day.

Last May, Gold Phoenix finished fourth in the Grade 1 Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic at Churchill, closing from last of 10 to finish 1 1/4 lengths behind race winner Spirit of St Louis. The same $1.5 million race at 1 1/8 miles on May 2 is a possibility.

Gold Phoenix ended a two-race losing streak in the San Luis Rey Stakes at 1 1/2 miles, closing from seventh of eight.

“He ran well at Churchill Downs last year,” trainer Phil D’Amato said Sunday. “We could cut him back in distance.”

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The 2025 Turf Classic was the only start at 1 1/8 miles last year for Gold Phoenix, who has won 11 of 31 starts and earned $2,363,087. The San Luis Rey Stakes was his first win since the Grade 2 John Henry Turf Championship at 1 1/4 miles at Santa Anita last fall.

Gold Phoenix was fifth of 14 in the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Del Mar last November, the best finish of an American-trained horse. In his first start of 2026, Gold Phoenix finished seventh of eight as the even-money favorite in the Grade 3 San Marcos Stakes on Feb. 14.

On Saturday, D’Amato said Gold Phoenix “may have been a little rusty” in the San Marcos.

If Gold Phoenix is not sent to Churchill Downs, another option is the Grade 2 Charles Whittingham Stakes at 1 1/4 miles on turf on May 2 at Santa Anita. Gold Phoenix won the $200,000 Whittingham in 2024.

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