Golden Soul should like distance in San Juan Capistrano

ARCADIA, Calif. – Why ship all the way from Churchill Downs for a Grade 3 at Santa Anita?

The reason is simple, according to trainer Dallas Stewart, whose veteran runner Golden Soul arrived one week ago for the San Juan Capistrano Stakes on Sunday.

“It’s a marathon race, and he’s a marathon horse,” he said.

Golden Soul is not the top candidate in the 1 3/4-mile San Juan Capistrano (race 4), but he figures to be a contender as Santa Anita finishes a marathon of its own. Sunday is closing day of the six-month season that began way back on Dec. 26.

Seven entered the $150,000 San Juan Capistrano, including the likely favorite and appropriately named Going Somewhere. Yes, the circuit also is going somewhere. Los Alamitos starts its two-week meet Thursday, followed next by opening day July 16 at Del Mar.

Up first is the closing-day San Juan Capistrano, in which the well-traveled Going Somewhere is the horse to beat. The 5-year-old began his career in Brazil, won a Group 1 in Argentina, raced in France, and finished a close third in a Grade 2 in his U.S. debut May 24.

Golden Soul flirted with fame by finishing second to Orb in the 2013 Kentucky Derby. His career stalled until back-to-back allowance wins in late 2014. In his most recent start, he finished third in a Grade 3 at 1 1/2 miles at Churchill Downs.

“The farther, the better,” Stewart said. “He’s ready to run, the races here at Churchill are over, so we put him on a plane.”

The San Juan Capistrano field includes the sharp California-bred stakes winner Patriots Rule, the mare Customer Base, the claiming-caliber Tiz Futurity, the closer Crucero, and the allowance winner Decisive Edge.

Ashleyluvssugar, a back-to-back Grade 2 winner and the leading San Juan Capistrano nominee, instead will ship to Monmouth for the Grade 1 United Nations on July 5.

Key contenders

Going Somewhere (Last Beyer: 102)

* The third-place Charles Whittingham Memorial finish by Going Somewhere was his first start in more than seven months. He set the fractions, shook off his pace rivals, and was worn down late by first- and second-place finishers who rallied from far back.

* Neil Drysdale trains Going Somewhere, whose most recent win was in December 2012 in Argentina. Drysdale has won the San Juan Capistrano four times, including in 2010 and 2012 with Bourbon Bay. Jockey Mike Smith won the 1995 San Juan Capistrano on Red Bishop.

Golden Soul (Last 3 Beyers: 85-82-84)

* Stewart cited hometown roots as one reason for seeking Joe Talamo to ride Golden Soul.

“He’s from New Orleans, I’m from New Orleans, and I’ve known him since he was a kid,” Stewart said. Talamo won the 2013 San Juan Capistrano on Interaction.

* Golden Soul, 3 for 23, has earned $633,085.

Patriots Rule (Last 3 Beyers: 93-87-91)

* The upset last out in a $100,000 stakes for California-breds was the fifth win from 17 starts for Patriots Rule, who is trained by Robertino Diodoro.

* Fernando Perez has ridden Patriots Rule in his last 16 starts. Perez went down in a spill Thursday. His status for the San Juan Capistrano is unconfirmed. Perez entered the week tied with Talamo for third in the jockey standings.