Zero-Forthree in his previous attempts in the John Henry Turf Championship Stakes (G2T), Golden Phoenix Was better than ever back in attempt no. 4 and stormed to a victory of 1/4 length on 27 September to Santa Anita Park.
At the age of 7, Gold Phoenix ran a race that John Henry himself was worthy of, who gathered from the back of the peloton to secure the eighth grade gain of his career. Just like the Hall of Fame Velding, Gold Phoenix is a picture of consistency during its 28 starts, and time and again a fierce competitor has turned out to be in the heat of the battle.
Unlike del Mar Handicap (G2T) last month, in which Gold Phoenix defeated Stay hot Due to a neck in a moving duel for the thread, there was no doubt about who was best in the John Henry.
The narrow second choice in the 1 1/4-Mile match, Gold Phoenix was not rushed early as the last of seven as longshot Ballade Targeted by opening fractions of: 23.47 ,: 46.60 and 1: 10.93. Gold Phoenix raced together with staying hot beyond the 6-Furlong Marker, the gap steadily closed on his opponents. A willing partner under Umberto Rispoli, the son of Sailing ship Torn his way between the traffic that came from the turn and an opening on the eighth post.
The timeless gelding pushed to the finish and hit the thread a convincing winner in a recent period of 1: 58.74 for the 1 1/4 miles on the Downhill Turf Course company. He returned $ 5 for a $ 2 profit ticket.
Stay hot, which had become the widest of all turn home, this time it was unable to stay on the same footing with Gold Phoenix and chose second place. Spycatcher Finished third in his first effort since a second place in the Hollywood Derby 2022 (G1T).
Trained by Phil d’Amato for the collaboration of Agave Racing Stable, Little Red Feather Racing, Sterling Stables and Marsha Navyy, the John Henry was Gold Phoenix’s last start before making his fourth bid in the November 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1T).
“Billy (Koch van Little Red Feather) and I looked at the race upstairs and we were a little nervous at first when he went a little wide,” said Kevin Bogart van Sterling Stables. “But once he stopped and Umberto had him in his hand, we really felt good about him. He is just a real game horse.”
Although experts criticized Gold Phoenix in Santa Anita, the John Henry was in fact the third graded stakes of the gelding after scores in the Charlie Whittingham Stakes (G2T) and 2023 Frank E. Kilroe Mile Stakes (G1T). However, this year’s Breeders’ Cup takes place on Gold Phoenix’s favorite song, Sea.
“My horse is now in a good zone. We give him two works here and then send it to Del Mar,” said D’Amato. “We run with the euros.”
Video: John Henry Turf Championship S. (G2T)
Reef Runner gets his salvation in Eddie D Stakes
Redemption was kind to team Rifloper who were disqualified in del Mar last month from the Green Flash Handicap (G3T), gathered to score in the $ 201,500 Eddie D Stakes (G2T).
Reef Runner ($ 13) applied his stubborn rival yards of the thread and attracted clearly for a half -length victory.
The trainee of David Fawkes put the timer in 1: 11.65 for the 6 1/2 Furlongs on Santa Anita’s Downhill Turf Course. Sorrento Sky Was another three lengths back in the third to complete the Trifecta.
“I was a bit nervous when he was last dead,” Fawkes admitted. “After three rider changes and all the madness, he is just a neat horse.”
Picked up from the victory in the Green Flash after crossing the thread in the front, the Refloper in that race, Paco Lopez, was recently served a six -month suspension by the horse racing and safety authority.
Although the Eddie D is not a race of Breeders ‘Cup Challenge Series as the Green Flash was, Fawkes reported that the $ 1 million Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1T) was the obvious start for Reef Runner.
Ref Runner, a home for Alex and Joann Liebong, registered his sixth career victory in 20 trips to the post. With his triumph in Eddie D, the 4-year-old Runner Arkansas Stallion provided The big beast With his first graded stakes winner. The big beast was the breeding season 2025 for $ 2,000 on McDowell Farm at Sparkman, Ark.
Video: Eddie D S. (G2T)
Innovative countries wins the first commitment in John C. Harris
Little Red Feather Racing, Sterling Stables and trainer Phil d’Amato continued their banner’s day on Saturday then Innovative Landed her first black-type Stakes victory in the $ 103,500 John C. Harris Stakes (G3T) for 3-year-old mares.
The Harris, previously known as the Unzip Me deployment, was recently renamed to honor the legacy of prominent Californian breeder and owner John C. Harris, who died in July.
Innovative raced for the first time in her seven-star career to 6 1/2 Furlongs for the first time in her seven-start career. Lee’s baby girl Order the field at the front and threw down an opening quarter of a: 22.23. The leader maintained her advantage to turn and suddenly drove wide on the quarter pole and forced preference Kasal In the middle of the piece. The meticulous innovative, full momentum, had no problem with the extra land in her path, making it clear to a neck score.
Innovative ($ 27.40) Clocks the 6 1/2 Furlongs on the Downhill turf course in 1: 12.98. Lee’s baby girl kept the sender off the east coast Heating To be second.
Little Red Feather Racing bought Kentucky-Foked innovative for $ 230,000 at the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Sale Sale of 2-year-olds in 2024 in training. She is the third graded stakes winner for father Complexity who was also represented by the winner of Ohio Derby (G3) Mo Plex This season. Complexity was the 2025 season at Airdrie Stud in Kentucky for a fee of $ 25,000.
Video: John C. Harris S. (G3T)
#Luiseless #Gold #Phoenix #shines #John #Henry #Turf