ARCADIA, Calif. – Before he ships south this summer to aim for a fifth consecutive victory in the Grade 2 Del Mar Handicap, the veteran gelding Gold Phoenix will take a detour Sunday, the originally scheduled closing day at Santa Anita. Because of Thursday’s mid-card cancellation due to a power outage, a Monday makeup card will extend the meet by one day. There will be mandatory payouts in all pools both Sunday and Monday. Sunday’s card includes the longest turf race at Santa Anita – the Grade 3 San Juan Capistrano at 1 3/4 miles. Gold Phoenix, a nine-time graded winner who is the field’s only graded winner, stands out at the longest distance of his career. He has won multiple stakes at 1 3/8 miles and 1 1/2 miles. A mile and three-quarters is doable. “I don’t think it’s that much of a difference, considering a good half-mile or five-eighths, is down the hill,” trainer Phil D’Amato said. “I think it plays more like a mile and a half, and [Gold Phoenix] acts like he’ll run forever.” :: Play Santa Anita racing with confidence. Get DRF Past Performances, Clocker Reports, and more. It seems 8-year-old Gold Phoenix has been racing forever. Runner-up in Ireland in his debut in 2021, Gold Phoenix made his U.S. debut in January 2022 before rising to the top of the distance turf division in California. Gold Phoenix has won 11 races and $2,377,087 from 32 starts. D’Amato follows the same routine every year with Gold Phoenix – race for a while, take a break for a while. “He does his thing throughout the year, five or six [starts], then we give him a break,” D’Amato said. “We know how to time his breaks, I think that’s huge.” Gold Phoenix should be heavily favored Sunday over a patchwork cast. American Hope won a second-level allowance last out. Poor Connection is outclassed but could be loose on the lead. Late-runner Grogu has run races that give him a shot to hit the board. Living Life won an entry-level allowance last out. None are in the same league as Gold Phoenix, winner of the Grade 3 San Luis Rey Stakes in March at Santa Anita before he shipped to Churchill Downs for the Grade 1 Turf Classic. Gold Phoenix never had a chance. He finished seventh. “He kind of got stymied in the stretch there,” D’Amato said. “I don’t think he would’ve won. I think he would’ve been second or third at the worst.” Gold Phoenix, blocked virtually the entire length of the lane, lost by 8 3/4 lengths in an inconclusive performance. “It was basically a workout,” D’Amato said. “He came back [to Santa Anita], and I don’t think I’ve ever seen him train as good. Especially this last month, he acts like he’s getting better. I hope that translates to a big performance on Sunday.” :: Access morning workout reports straight from the tracks and get an edge with DRF Clocker Reports Hector Berrios rides Gold Phoenix, who will try to follow previous 8-year-olds who won the San Juan Capistrano – Quick Casablanca, 2016; Mashkour, 1991; and Niarkos, 1968. D’Amato is seeking his fourth victory in the San Juan Capistrano, having won with Acclimate in 2019 and 2021, and Red King in 2020. American Hope scored a sharp second-level allowance win last out in his second start since moving to trainer Brian Koriner. Armando Ayuso, who entered closing week tied with Antonio Fresu as leading rider, is aboard American Hope. Poor Connection is expected to the set the pace under Emisael Jaramillo. :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.