Gold Phoenix Seeks Fifth Del Mar Handicap Win

Gold Phoenix will attempt to secure his fifth consecutive victory in the $300,000 Del Mar Handicap (G2T) on Aug. 29, a race that serves as a qualifier for the Breeders' Cup [3]. The 8-year-old gelding, who has banked over $2.5 million in career earnings, enters the 1 3/8-mile contest following a narrow win in the Eddie Read Stakes (G2T) [3].

A West Coast Institution

Gold Phoenix, an Irish-bred son of Belardo, has established himself as a dominant force on the West Coast circuit since his 2021 importation [3]. His recent performance in the July 26 Eddie Read Stakes, where he defeated a field including horses half his age by a nose, suggests he remains in peak form [3]. Trainer Phil D'Amato noted that the horse’s recent workouts have been "really nice," with the gelding displaying a consistent ability to win despite never being a "super work horse" [3].

The Del Mar Handicap, which dates back to the track's founding in 1937, will feature a field of 11 grass runners [3]. The event is part of a high-stakes day at Del Mar that also includes the $250,000 Pat O'Brien Stakes (G2), a 7-furlong race featuring 10 entrants [3]. Gold Phoenix is owned by a partnership group including Agave Racing Stable, Little Red Feather Racing, Sterling Stables, and Marsha Naify [3].

The Competitive Landscape

While Gold Phoenix enters as a seasoned veteran, the race remains a "win-and-you're-in" event for the Breeders' Cup, adding significant stakes for the entire field [3]. His primary competition includes familiar foes, such as Cabo Spirit, whom he edged by a nose in his last outing, and defending winner Formidable Man, who finished just a head behind in that same race [3]. D'Amato emphasized that the horse's performance in the Eddie Read Stakes serves as the primary indicator of his current capability, suggesting he is "as good if not better than he's always been" [3].

What to watch

• Race Day Performance: Whether the 8-year-old can maintain his "heart-driven finishing kick" over the extended 1 3/8-mile distance [3].
• Breeders' Cup Qualification: The impact of the "win-and-you're-in" status on the tactical approach of the 11-horse field [3].

The upcoming race represents a potential milestone for Gold Phoenix, who has already secured three stakes victories this year [3]. Whether he can extend his streak to five will depend on his ability to overcome a competitive field of familiar rivals on the Del Mar turf [3].