Navy Armed Guard has smooth sailing in All American
Navy Armed Guard ($8.80) didn't match his track record but did something just as good in his second start at Golden Gate Fields, winning the $100,450 All American on Monday.
The 6-year-old Midshipman gelding got a perfect trip sitting behind dueling leaders Anyportinastorm and Zestful in the one-mile race. He grabbed the lead in the stretch and was challenged briefly by fast-finishing Cupid's Claws but was inching away late winning by three-quarters of a length in 1:36.31.
In his only other start on Golden Gate's Tapeta surface, he set the track record of 1:35.69 for a mile.
“[Jockey] Frank [Alvarado] and I talked about it,” said winning trainer Quinn Howey. “His only decision was how far he wanted to be behind in third.”
Alvarado got a break when Anyportinastorm's head was turned when the gate open. Anyportinastorm bobbled a bit and got off slowly but rushed up to take the lead from favored Zestful.
Anyportinastorm, coming off a victory in the six-furlong Lost in the Fog, had never finished worse than third in a race on main track or turf at Golden Gate. He was expected to take the lead, but his slow break turned the first six-furlongs of the race into a head-and-head speed duel with Zestful as he never got a breather.
Alvarado sat comfortably by himself in third with Navy Armed Guard and began to move up nearing the quarter pole. Moving out to the three path, they cruised by the leaders but were pressured by Cupid's Claws, who was making his 2021 debut.
Navy Armed Guard dug in, quickly repulsing the challenge before inching away late.
“We couldn't get a better trip, third with no one around us,” said Howey. “Frank said he moved a little early because he didn't want to get trapped behind anyone.”
Owned by Boardshorts Stables, Navy Armed Guard eared $60,000 for his eighth career victory and first stakes win. His record is now 30-8-5-7 with earnings of $263, 536.