Relato Del Gato dazzles in Phoenix Gold Cup
PHOENIX - Relato Del Gato continued his ascent in the sprinting ranks as the 6-year-old set dazzling splits, put away the other speed, and impressively posted his fourth straight win in Saturdays $100,000 Phoenix Gold Cup at Turf Paradise. The Gold Cup was one of three stakes on the Saturday card.
Owned by Robert Bone and trained by Keith Bennett, Relato Del Gato set splits of 21.20 and 42.78 seconds while clear from the other speed. He opened up into the stretch and was never really threatened, winning by 2 3/4 lengths. He ran the six furlongs in a sensational 1:07.68 under local leading rider Glenn Corbett and paid $24.40. The win was the 2,500th of Corbett's career.
Sailors Sunset, the 4-5 favorite, broke poorly but kept to his task doggedly and finished well along the inside to get second. Family Guy rallied for third. Jacks Kid, considered a major player, was scratched.
Capitano does it again
For the second year in a row, Capitano invaded from Southern California and captured the $75,000 Turf Paradise Handicap. Owned by Vicken Meguerditchian and trained by Tom Bell 2nd, Capitano was fractious in the gate and then was well back early in the field of nine going 1 1/16 miles on the turf. But the 6-year-old got into a good rhythm, steadily picked off runners while moving through along the inside, set after favored Cervelo who had the lead in midstretch, and just got up along the inside for a desperate nose decision. Capitano, ridden by Danny Sorenson, covered the distance in 1:42.03. He paid $8.60 as the second choice.
Cervelo looked like the winner turning for home when he burst to the lead on the outside but just missed by a head-bob. Night Dash rallied for third. The race complexion changed when morning-line favorite Heroi Do Bafra was scratched.
Homemaker rallies from last
Homemaker closed strongly to capture the $50,000 Sun City Handicap. Owned by William Clifton Jr. and trained by William Leach, Homemaker was last early in the field of eight fillies and mares going a mile on the turf, swung very wide for the stretch run but closed resolutely under Scott Stevens to win by a length. She ran the distance in 1:36.40 and paid $14.60. Shadowy Waters, second in this race last year, was second again after setting the pace. Haka Girl pressed the pace and stayed on well for third, just a neck behind. Heavy 3-5 favorite Big Promise was in tight when trying to launch her bid and ended up fifth.