After finishing a lackluster 10th in the Breeders' Cup Turf (G1) last November, Gold Phoenix was ready for a top effort in his first start since then and scored a determined win in the $500,000 Frank E. Kilroe Mile (G1) Saturday at Santa Anita.
Sent off 10-1 odds as one of four runners for trainer Phil D'Amato, the Irish-bred son of Belardo saved ground early, then rallied strongly between rivals in the stretch to win by a neck from Du Jour, who rallied stoutly from last but was outkicked by the winner.
Ridden by Kazushi Kimura. Gold Phoenix covered the distance in 1:34.35 on turf rated as good while winning for the fourth time from 11 career starts.
Campaigned by Little Red Feather Racing, Marsha Naify, and Sterling Stables LLC, Gold Phoenix returned $23.60 for the win.
Du Jour finished three-quarters of a length in front of third-place finisher 37-1 longshot Cabo Spirit while D'Amato-trained even-money favorite Hong Kong Harry checked in fourth.
Gold Phoenix earned the $300,000 winner's share of the Kilroe Mile purse, improving his lifetime bankroll to $675,257.
The post Determined Gold Phoenix Bests Du Jour In Kilroe Mile appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
