Gold Phoenix Launches 2025 Return in San Luis Rey

The venerable gelding Gold Phoenix , one of Southern California's top turf route performers over the last couple of years, begins his 2025 campaign in the $100,000 San Luis Rey Stakes (G3T) at Santa Anita Park.

Trained by Phil D'Amato for owners Agave Racing Stable, Little Red Feather Racing, Sterling Stables, and Marsha Naify, Gold Phoenix has captured six graded stakes races since making his North American debut as a 4-year-old in January 2022. The son of Belardo  has been unraced since exiting a respectable fourth-place finish in the Nov. 2 Breeders' Cup Turf (G1T) behind champion turf male Rebel's Romance  in what was his third appearance on the World Championships stage.

"He's training very sharp," D'Amato said of Gold Phoenix. "He has a bunch of really good solid drills in him. We're looking forward to running him and getting him going."

Kyle Frey, the gelding's rider in his previous five outings, including victories in the Del Mar Handicap (G2T) and Charles Whittingham Stakes (G2T), will ride the 7-5 morning-line favorite.

D'Amato will also saddle perhaps Gold Phoenix's chief rival Saturday with Madaket Stables' Easter  as well as Divin Propos . Easter closed from the back of the back to get up for second in the Feb. 8 San Marcos Stakes (G3T) in his most recent start. The Exosphere  gelding will be looking for his first win since taking the San Gabriel Stakes (G2T) in December 2023.

Last year's Twilight Derby (G2T) winner Atitlan , Wizard of Westwood , Megayacht , Balladeer , and Midnight Mammoth  complete the field for the 1 1/2-mile San Luis Rey.