Irish-bred Gold Phoenix successfully defended his title in the Grade 2, $300,000 Del Mar Handicap presented by the Japan Racing Association on Saturday at Del Mar, rallying from 14 lengths off the pace under Juan Hernandez to win by 1 1/4 lengths as the 5-2 favorite.
Nineeleventurbo won a three-horse photo finish for second, a nose in front of Cash Equity, with Missed the Cut another nose back in fourth. They were followed by Planetario, Cathkin Peak, Offlee Naughty, None Above the Law, Win the Day, pacesetter Crosby Beach, and Azul Coast.
Gold Phoenix, who won the G2 Eddie Read at the seaside track on July 30, covered 1 3/8 miles in 2:15.34 and paid $7.00 to win. He also secured a fees-paid berth in the G1 Breeders' Cup Turf as part of the Breeders' Cup Win and You're In Challenge Series.
A 5-year-old gelding by Belardo, Gold Phoenix is trained by Phil D'Amato for Little Red Feather Racing, Sterling Stables, and Marsha Naify.
Breaking from the 10 post in the three-turn race, Gold Phoenix settled well off the pace as longshot Crosby Beach showed the way under Geovanni Franco, setting moderate fractions of :24.60, :48.74, 1:13.80, and 1:39.28. Hernandez moved Gold Phoenix into contention rounding the far turn and swung wide into the stretch as Nineeleventurbo took over from the pacesetter. Gold Phoenix had three horses to beat at the furlong pole and moved to the front to win comfortably.
“Plan A was to save ground,” said Hernandez, Del Mar's leading rider. “My horse relaxed really well today and was so patient. This time I go outside because I had a lot of horses in front of me. So I say I want to swing out and see if I can find something. If not I can go back inside. But I was able to find some space to come through, and after that he flew for home. He is getting better every race. Last time he was a little closer and he was able to keep up that space and able to win that race. I just have to wait and he loved the distance.”
“He was loaded and looked like he had the perfect split,” said D'Amato, who is in a tight race for leading trainer with Bob Baffert and Doug O'Neill. “I just love how confident Juan (Hernandez) rode him. Did a great job. Juan and I have had good luck over the years. I haven't used him much at the meet but I used him at the right time.”
After winning last year's Del Mar Handicap, Gold Phoenix wound up 10th behind winner Rebel's Romance in the Breeders' Cup Turf at Keeneland. Saturday's victory was his sixth in 15 lifetime starts.
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