Evening Sun Delivers Another British Win in S.F. Mile
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Photo: Shane Micheli/ Vassar Photography
Evening Sun wins the San Francisco Mile at Golden Gate Fields
The 5-year-old gelding Evening Sun wanted to make a splash in his North American stakes debut. And did he ever. Rallying from seven lengths back to win the $254,050 San Francisco Mile (G3T) at Golden Gate Fields April 30. Evening Sun is also the second consecutive horse from Great Britain to win this race.
He stopped the clock at 1:35.36.
For most of the race it appeared that Jimmy Blue Jeans , at 13-1, had the race as he led the 14-horse field for the first three quarters with fractions of :23.24, :46.54 and 1:10.35. But with a quarter-mile to go, Camino Del Paraiso made a move on the outside of Jimmy Blue Jeans that momentarily changed the order.
Ahead by more than a length, Camino Del Paraiso had a deep pack hot on his trail that included Jimmy Blue Jeans, favorite Vanzzy at 5-2, and Evening Sun.
Under Brice Blanc, Evening Sun found himself seven lengths back at the halfway point, but down the stretch made a furious sprint on the outside to pass his competitors and pull ahead for the win by half a length. Vanzzy, Camino Del Paraiso, and Tom's Surprise finished 2-3-4.
Vanzzy's trainer Richard Baltas was eyeing a three-peat at the event, having won the last two years with Whisper Not and Neptune's Storm .
Owned by Red Barrons Barn and Rancho Temescal, the Jeff Mullins-trained Evening Sun paid $18.60 at 8-1 odds. And when discussing Evening Sun's connections, there may not be a more connected horse than him. He was bred by Queen Elizabeth.
Indian Peak , Tiz Plus , Freeport Joe , Restrainedvengence , Jimmy Blue Jeans , Delaware , Ecrivain , Harmon , Get Her Number , and Nolde rounded out the field.
A son of Muhaarar , Evening Sun has four wins, three seconds, and a third over 14 lifetime starts, with career earnings of $269,401.