The last time Gold Phoenix returned from a layoff and started at a mile on turf, he scored a 10-1 upset in the Grade 1 Frank Kilroe Mile at Santa Anita in March 2023. The same structure is in place when Gold Phoenix has his 2024 debut in Thursday’s Grade 3 American Stakes at a mile on turf at Santa Anita. The race was scheduled for Sunday, but was postponed because of extensive rain in Southern California last weekend. The forthcoming four-day weekend is highlighted by the Santa Anita Derby program on Saturday. Gold Phoenix has not raced since a fourth-place finish at 51-1 in the Breeders’ Cup Turf at 1 1/2 miles at Santa Anita last November. The American will be his first start at a mile on turf since a seventh in the Grade 1 Shoemaker Mile at Santa Anita last May. “We know it’s not his most ideal distance, but he’s done it before,” trainer Phil D’Amato said of returning at a mile. “We thought from a timing perspective it’s a good race to get him going for the year.” The race will be a very good test. :: Access morning workout reports straight from the tracks and get an edge with DRF Clocker Reports Gold Phoenix is one of eight stakes winners in a field of 10 in the American Stakes, along with Air Force Red, Fuerteventura, Irideo, Johannes, Prince Abama, Sumter, and War At Sea. Of the other two runners, Parnelli is stakes-placed, while Genius Jimmy was beaten in his lone stakes appearance last year. Genius Jimmy, trained by Michael McCarthy, will play a key role in the American Stakes as a potential pacesetter. Genius Jimmy led throughout his lone start this year, winning an allowance race at a mile on turf March 3. Genius Jimmy could be joined near the front by Air Force Red and Sumter, who have run well in turf sprints. Gold Phoenix, who races for the partnership of Little Red Feather Racing, Sterling Stables, and Marsha Naify, is a closer. The 6-year-old Gold Phoenix was outstanding at Del Mar last summer, winning consecutive starts in Grade 2 turf races in the Eddie Read Stakes at 1 1/8 miles and the Del Mar Handicap at 1 3/8 miles. In the American, D’Amato also starts Prince Abama, a two-time stakes winner who returned from a 15-month layoff to finish seventh of eight in the Kilroe Mile on March 3, racing closer to the front than normal. “I would draw a line through that race,” D’Amato said. “That’s not his style. He was close to a fast pace. “I think he’ll implement the style that led to a graded stakes win and come running late.” A quick pace will help the stalkers Fuerteventura and Johannes. :: Bet the races with a $200 First Deposit Match + FREE All Access PPs! Join DRF Bets. Fuerteventura won the minor Cotton Fitzsimmons Stakes at 1 1/16 miles on turf on March 14 at Turf Paradise in his first start since October. A delayed running of the American Stakes led to the 5-year-old’s inclusion in Thursday’s field. “He seems to have good tactical speed,” trainer Jonathan Thomas said. “He’s an easy horse to ride and place, depending on whatever happens. “We were thrilled with his comeback. We thought it was out of left field to take him down there – and he won.” The American will be the first start for Johannes since May. The colt was a two-time stakes winner on turf at Santa Anita earlier in 2023. “He’s come back matured,” trainer Tim Yakteen said. “I’m expecting a good race from him.” :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.