2023 Del Mar Handicap Replay & Analysis | Gold Phoenix Defends Title, Earns Return Trip To BC Turf

Gold Phoenix won the 2023 Del Mar Handicap (G2) at Del Mar, a “Win & You’re In” for the Breeders’ Cup Turf. This was the 2nd straight race win for the Phil D’Amato trainee.

Will Gold Phoenix fare better than his 10th-place showing at last year’s World Championships? Watch the replay & get the Racing Dudes’ expert analysis, then tell us YOUR thoughts in the Comments section!

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Watch the official race replay here:

The press release:

Favored Gold Phoenix proved a length and a quarter best Saturday in the Del Mar Handicap, covering the 11 furlongs on turf in 2:15.34.

The 5-year-old gelding was handled by leading rider Juan Hernandez and races out of the barn of Phil D’Amato, who was winning the race for a record seventh time.

Gold Phoenix paid $7.00 and is owned by Little Red Feather Stables, Sterling Stables and Marsha Naify. 

The winner earned $180,000 from the gross purse of $303,000.

Quotes:

JUAN HERNANDEZ (Gold Phoenix, winner) — “Plan A was to save ground. My horse relaxed really well today and was so patient. This time I go outside because I had a lot of horses in front of me. So I say I want to swing out and see if I can find something. If not I can go back inside. But I was able to find some space to come through, and after that he flew for home. He is getting better every race. Last time he was a little closer and he was able to keep up that space and able to win that race. I just have to wait and he loved the distance.”

Breeders’ Cup?

“You know it’s always a hope to run in those kinds of races and I have been able to race some horses that have finished second. Hopefully this year I can get a good winner. I have a couple good horses.”

PHIL D’AMATO (Gold Phoenix, winner) – “He was loaded and looked like he had the perfect split. I just love how confident Juan (Hernandez) rode him. Did a great job. Juan and I have had good luck over the years. I haven’t used him much at the meet but I used him at the right time.”