Planetario runs away with San Juan Capistrano
?q=100)
ARCADIA, Calif. - Planetario left Brazil in the winter of 2021-2022 as a two-time Grade 1 winner in turf marathons.
More than 18 months later, Planetario is now a stakes winner in the United States with Sunday’s Grade 3 San Juan Capistrano Stakes at Santa Anita, and a much-needed addition to the California turf marathon division.
Ridden by Hector Berrios, Planetario ($7.40) closed from fifth in a field of six to win the $100,500 San Juan Capistrano Stakes at about 1 3/4 miles on turf by an impressive 4 1/2 lengths over even-money favorite Offlee Naughty.
The San Juan Capistrano was Planetario’s second start of the year, preceded by a second-place finish by 1 1/4 lengths to Offlee Naughty in the Grade 3 San Luis Rey Stakes at 1 1/2 miles on turf on May 13.
On Sunday, Planetario was a different horse in the mind of Berrios.
“He ran so strong, he left me surprised,” Berrios said.
Berrios urged Planetario closer to the front on the turn and took the lead in early stretch, holding a one-length advantage with a furlong remaining. Planetario extended his advantage quickly in the final furlong.
Planetario was timed in 2:48.08 and earned a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 97.
Offlee Naughty trailed by 3 1/2 lengths on the turn and caught 21-1 Rimprotector in the final strides to gain second. Offlee Naughty, who was ridden by Umberto Rispoli, raced in traffic briefly in early stretch before closing ground.
“He could have gone inside or outside,” trainer Michael McCarthy said of Rispoli’s tactics. “Take nothing from the winner. He was very good.”
Duvet Day, the only filly racing against males, finished fourth, followed by Opry and Birth of Cool.
Planetario, who races for Red Rafa Stakes, is a 5-year-old horse by the Cape Town stallion Il Doge. Planetario has won 6 of 11 starts and earned $110,548. The win in the San Juan Capistrano was worth $60,000.
“He’s a mile and a half horse or better,” winning trainer Richard Mandella said.
The San Juan Capistrano Stakes was the final stakes of the Santa Anita winter-spring meeting. Los Alamitos begins a three-week Los Angeles County Fair meeting on Friday.
:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.