Gold Phoenix romps in San Juan Capistrano Stakes
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ARCADIA, Calif. - For his 10th career stakes win in Sunday’s Grade 3 San Juan Capistrano Stakes at Santa Anita, and the 12th win of his 33-race career, Gold Phoenix accomplished something new.
The five-length margin was the widest victory of his outstanding career.
Gold Phoenix ($2.80) started in the longest race of his career in the $102,000 San Juan Capistrano Stakes at about 1 3/4 miles on turf, also the longest stakes race at Santa Anita.
Ridden by Hector Berrios, Gold Phoenix closed from eighth in a field of nine, passing most of his rivals in the final half-mile.
“He was the most talented horse,” in the race, Berrios said. “I knew it was a long race. He was comfortable. He started to pass the horses very nicely.”
With a lead of 1 1/2 lengths in the stretch, Berrios snuck a peak at a massive infield television, noticing Gold Phoenix had an increasing advantage. For Berrios, the race was over.
“I looked at the TV, so I sat,” he said.
Gold Phoenix was timed in 2:44.76 and earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 98.
Goldeneye (14-1) finished second after leading briefly. Third early under jockey Edwin Maldonado, Goldeneye caught longtime pacesetter Grogu, but was no match for Gold Phoenix. Goldeneye finished second in a stakes for the first time in his 33rd start on Sunday.
“I’m tickled pink,” trainer Peter Eurton said. “The guy gave him a great ride.”
American Hope (5-1) finished third, followed by Factor Analysis, Rimprotector, Living Life, Poor Connection, Grogu and Smooth Salute.
Gold Phoenix, an 8-year-old Irish-bred gelding, won his second stakes in four starts this year in the San Juan Capistrano. After finishing seventh of eight as the even-money favorite in the Grade 3 San Marcos Stakes on Feb. 14, Gold Phoenix rebounded to win the Grade 3 San Luis Rey Stakes at 1 1/2 miles on turf on March 21.
In his lone start outside of California this year, Gold Phoenix finished seventh of nine in the Grade 1 Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic at Churchill Downs on May 2, racing in traffic in the stretch.
The San Juan Capistrano became a goal in late May.
Gold Phoenix has earned $2,437,087. Trained by Phil D’Amato, Gold Phoenix races for the partnership of Agave Racing, Little Red Feather Racing, Sterling Stable and Marsha Naify.
Gold Phoenix has won the Grade 2 Del Mar Handicap the last four years. The same race on Aug. 29 is a long-range goal.
Gold Phoenix won the 2023 Del Mar Handicap and the Grade 2 John Henry Turf Championship at Santa Anita last September by 1 1/4 lengths, which prior to Sunday were the widest winning margins of his career.
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