Johannes closes out strong year in San Gabriel

ARCADIA, Calif. – Johannes got within a length of winning the Breeders’ Cup Mile on Nov. 2 at Del Mar, the only blemish on otherwise perfect campaign this year.

Even in defeat, Johannes showed world-class form. On the strength of his outstanding year, Johannes will be strongly favored to win Thursday’s Grade 2 San Gabriel Stakes at 1 1/8 miles on turf on the opening day of the Santa Anita winter-spring meeting.

For Johannes, the $200,000 San Gabriel Stakes is a prep race for the Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational at 1 1/8 miles on Jan. 25 at Gulfstream Park. The San Gabriel was not originally on the schedule for Johannes until the 4-year-old colt resumed training after the BC Mile.

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“I wanted to give him more of a break,” trainer Tim Yakteen said. “He came out of his Breeders’ Cup race in great shape. He kept touting us that he wanted to do more.”

The San Gabriel Stakes drew nine locally based runners, with seven stakes winners and two stakes-placed runners.

The field includes Easter, who won the 2023 San Gabriel last December, but is winless in five starts this year, and Mi Hermano Ramon and Astronomer, who were first and third in the Grade 2 Seabiscuit Handicap on Nov. 30 at Del Mar.

Astronomer and Cabo Spirit, the latter the winner of the Grade 2 John Henry Turf Championship in September, may contribute to the pace.

The San Gabriel will be the first start for Johannes at 1 1/8 miles since a win in the Grade 2 Eddie Read Stakes at Del Mar in July. Owned by Joe and Debby McCloskey, Johannes displayed his typical style under regular rider Umberto Rispoli in the Eddie Read, closing from a stalking position to take a commanding lead in the stretch.

Johannes won by 2 1/2 lengths, his widest margin of his four graded victories this year.

“I think he really enjoyed it,” Yakteen said of the distance. “He looked very impressive.”

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In the BC Mile, Johannes closed from sixth of 10 to be second, finishing three-quarters of a length behind More Than Looks.

“He ran his race,” Yakteen said. “We were in it to win it. This game will humble you. I was hoping to come away with the win. It’s tough to keep a perfect record and have a perfect year.”

Mi Hermano Ramon may prove to be the spoiler in the San Gabriel. A 4-year-old gelding, he won his first graded stakes in the Seabiscuit Handicap at 1 1/16 miles on turf, closing from eighth of 12 in the final three furlongs to win by a half-length at 11-1.

The San Gabriel will be the fourth start for Mi Hermano Ramon following a layoff of more than 14 months that ended in late August.

“Mi Hermano is capable of a big race,” trainer Mark Glatt said. “He’s been lightly raced. Maybe we have a little bit of an advantage in that respect.”

Glatt also knows what Mi Hermano Ramon faces in Johannes.

“I think Johannes is an exceptional horse,” Glatt said. “He breathes a little different air than the rest of them.”

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