Gold Phoenix Back on Home Turf in San Juan Capistrano

Both Gold Phoenix  and Rimprotector  have scores to settle in the June 14 San Juan Capistrano Stakes (G3T) going about 1 3/4 miles on the turf at Santa Anita Park.

Gold Phoenix, an 8-year-old gelding by Belardo , will aim to regain his well-established form in graded company following a troubled trip May 2 in the Turf Classic Stakes (G1T) at Churchill Downs. An attempt by jockey Hector Berrios to find a seam along the rail, a furlong from the wire, got stymied by traffic and left him seventh out of nine.

Now Gold Phoenix is back at Santa Anita where his record is 5-3-3 from 18 starts and all but one of his wins are in graded stakes. Agave Racing Stable, Little Red Feather Racing, Sterling Stables, and Marsha Naify own the gelding, who is trained by Phil D'Amato. Berrios has the mount. 

Meanwhile, Rimprotector looks to capture the San Juan Capistrano after twice running third in 2023-24. The 7-year-old gelded son of Point of Entry   comes into this year's off a victory May 2 in the 1 3/8-mile, non-black-type Richard Hazelton Hasta La Vista Overnight Stakes at Turf Paradise. 

Rimprotector is owned by Fred Desimone, Gordon Jarnig, and co-owner/trainer Tim McCanna. The gelding has a 2-2-3 record from 19 starts on the turf, but his previous performances in the San Juan Capistrano are his best to date at Santa Anita. He will be ridden by Kyle Frey.