Galilean Easy Winner of California Cup Derby

A graded stakes figures to be on the horizon for California-bred Galilean after he toyed with four other state-breds Feb. 18 on his way to an easy victory in the $200,000 California Cup Derby at Santa Anita Park.

Confidently ridden by jockey Flavien Prat, Galilean pressed from three wide in both turns before delivering a quick move off the far turn that ended any drama as the son of Uncle Mo  opened five lengths in the early stretch and cruised to a 4 1/2-length victory.

Trained by Racing Hall of Famer Jerry Hollendorfer for West Point Thoroughbreds, Denise Barker, and William Sandbrook, Galilean completed the 1 1/16-mile test in 1:43.43, living up to his 1-9 odds. 

BG Stables homebred Feeling Strong, who finished third to Galilean in the King Glorious Stakes in December, rallied to finish second, while Reddam Racing homebred Whooping Jay finished third, another 10 lengths back.

In winning his 3-year-old season debut Monday, Galilean secured his third win in four starts—all stakes. He won the Barretts Juvenile Stakes by a neck in September at Los Alamitos Race Course before finishing a close second in the Golden State Juvenile Stakes in November at Santa Anita. Stretched out to two turns for the first time in the one-mile King Glorious, Galilean rolled to a nine-length score.

Stretching out another half-furlong Monday proved no problem as Galilean rated in third while stablemate Loud Mouth posted a quarter-mile in :23.95 and a half-mile in :47.85, shadowed by Irish Heatwave with Galilean racing third, three wide. That was also the order into the far turn, before Prat asked for a gear that none of his rivals possessed just after six furlongs in 1:11.6.

"It's quite exciting because he's done everything right so far. Like everyone else though, he needs to improve of course, but it's exciting to win this time of year. He's a good 3-year-old," Prat said. "He relaxed well. In his last race he went to the lead, but today, he had speed to his inside and sat off them and stayed relaxed, was breathing well, and made a good move."

Hollendorfer said Galilean's talent and promise to handle added distance gives the trainer a variety of options going into spring. He said the Cal-bred races allowed the youngster to progress.

"You're always a little anxious coming off a little bit of a layoff, but he did everything perfect, rated perfectly, and you couldn't wish for much more than that," Hollendorfer said. "We have a whole bunch of options (for his next race). There are a lot of races everywhere for him, and we're nominated everywhere, so we'll try to make a good decision as to where to run next.

"I don't think (distance) is an issue. We wanted to take advantage of him being a Cal-bred, take advantage of giving him another race and running here. That's what we wanted to do and that's what we did."

Bred by Bar C Racing Stables, Galilean is the first winner out of El Prado mare Fresia.

After selling for $60,000 as a yearling from his breeder's consignment to Quarter Pole Enterprises at the 2017 Barretts Select Yearling Sale, Galilean was purchased for $600,000 by West Point Thoroughbreds at the Barretts Spring 2018 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale from consignor Eddie Woods. Galilean was the sale-topper at the latter auction.

Jeff Lifson of West Point Thoroughbreds said the owner has some new partners on Galilean, which has added some excitement.

"We have some newbies (owners) on this particular horse, which is such a cool thing, but the best part about this partnership is they are all wonderful people and have a ton of fun," Lifson said.

Video: California Cup Derby (BT)

While Galilean delivered as the favorite in the California Cup Derby, Apache Princess, the 6-5 favorite in the California Cup Oaks off three straight wins, didn't fare as well as the daughter of Unusual Heat finished fifth, while George Krikorian's Mucho Unusual scored a front-running victory by three lengths in the one-mile turf test for 3-year-old fillies.

That victory, in 1:36.92 on a turf course listed as good, gives the daughter of Mucho Macho Man  her first stakes win. Trained by Tim Yakteen, Monday's race marked the first start on turf for Mucho Unusual, who topped runner-up Lippy. Lakerball finished third.

The Cal Cup Oaks, for 3-year-old fillies bred or sired in California, is part of the lucrative Golden State Series, which is sponsored by the CTBA.