Gold Phoenix Romps in San Juan Capistrano Stakes

Eight-year-old veteran Gold Phoenix (IRE) proved age is just a number when he romped to a 5-length victory in the San Juan Capistrano Stakes (G3T) at Santa Anita Park June 14. Returning off a troubled trip in the May 2 Turf Classic Stakes (G1T), where he finished seventh, the son of Belardo (IRE) picked up his 12th win in 33 career starts and his 10th graded stakes victory. Earlier this year, he won the San Luis Rey Stakes (G3T) going 1 1/2 miles over the Santa Anita turf. Stretching out to 1 3/4 miles, Gold Phoenix settled near the back of the pack at the start under Hector Berrios, letting longshots Grogu, Rimprotector, and Smooth Salute take the field through the early stages in opening fractions of :23.63, :47.41, and 1:11.50 over the downhill turf. "He broke perfect. I knew it was a long race; he felt comfortable," Berrios said. Goldeneye took the lead with a half mile to go, but Gold Phoenix was unleashing a powerful run on the outside with no traffic to hang him up this time. He started picking off rivals in the stretch as he came up alongside leader Goldeneye, who proved to be no match for Gold Phoenix. The gutsy gelding took the lead in the last eighth of a mile and surged home to an easy, in-hand victory. "On the backstretch, he started passing horses really nicely," Berrios said. "In the stretch, I put him on the outside, and he quickened. I looked at the (infield video board) and saw the other horses were maybe five lengths back. I just sat and let him go easy to the finish." The final time for the race was 2:44.76. Goldeneye was second, finishing 2 3/4 lengths in front of American Hope, who held on for third. 45-1 shot Factor Analysis got up for fourth. Sent off at odds of 2-5, Gold Phoenix paid $2.80 to win. Gold Phoenix was bred in Ireland by Mighty Universe out of the Juddmonte-bred mare Magnifica. He broke his maiden on debut in his native Ireland before shipping to the United States, where he launched his accomplished career under the handling of trainer Phil D'Amato. "I just loved the move he was making around the 3/8 pole; it looked like he was just kind of inhaling them," D'Amato said. "I felt really good by the time he got to the top of the lane. He looked like he was just in a gallop there. Ultra impressive. This is one of my most favorite races watching as a kid. It means a lot to me to win this race, especially with this horse." Gold Phoenix was campaigned by Little Red Feather Racing, Sterling Stables, and Marsha Naify for his first 3 years on the track. Agave Racing Stable purchased a 25% share in the gelding for $125,000 in 2024 at the Keeneland Championship Sale at Del Mar, after winning the Del Mar Handicap (G2T) for the third year in a row. Following his win in the San Juan Capistrano, he improved his record to 12-3-5 from 33 career starts and has banked earnings totaling $2,437,087. "I think it is hard to put into words," said Billy Koch of Little Red Feather Racing. "Everyone just loves him, and he is so kind around the barn. I can't tell you how many retirement facilities have called me up saying they want him when he's done. But who knows when that might be because it sure didn't look like it today. He has been a very special horse, and we appreciate all the people that were involved. I really go back to Phil D'Amato and all the work he has done with this horse. Spaced his races and really just taken the best possible care. The rest was up to him. He is just awesome."