Mugaritz wins fifth straight in Joseph T. Grace

Mugaritz scored his second straight stakes win and fifth consecutive victory overall by holding off Camino Del Paraiso down the stretch in the $55,600 Joseph T. Grace at Golden Gate Fields on Saturday.

Mugaritz won a photo in the 1 1/16-mile turf race under jockey Ricky Gonzalez, edging Camino Del Paraiso, whom he dueled the length of the stretch, by a neck. Sixes, who went head and head with his winning stablemate most of the way, was third another 1 3/4 lengths back.

Sixes was on top during a 23.98 opening quarter before Mugaritz ranged up outside him, sticking his head in front during a 48.65 half-mile. He maintained that narrow advantage as the field turned for home.

Camino Del Paraiso, who had a perfect stalking trip behind the stablemates pulled alongside them and may have even briefly stuck a nose in front. The trio battled in a three-way troika until Sixes faded just a little as Mugaritz and Camino Del Paraiso gave their all to the wire.

“I got a little scared because [Mugaritz] was coming back a bit quick,” said winning trainer Jonathan Wong.

“Camino Del Paraiso got a perfect trip, but this horse is super game. He's not the easiest horse to ride but Ricky gave him a great ride.”

Mugaritz paid $5.80. The winning time was 1:43.27.

As a 3-year-old, Mugaritz was third in the California Derby and fourth in the El Camino Real Derby after leading in the lane. Given a nine-month freshening, he returned to the races on Dec. 31, winning a starter-allowance race on the turf and two allowance races before going to the sidelines for seven months.

He won the Bull Dog at Fresno in wire-to-wire style in his comeback.

“He's all race horse,” said Wong. “He runs on turf, dirt, synthetics.”

Owned by Alejandro Mercardo, Mugaritz earned $30,500 for his victory. He has now earned $167,125 with seven wins in 12 starts.