Galilean Stretches Out Strongly in Soi Phet

CYPRESS, CA – Trainer John Sadler’s Galilean stretched back out to two turns with a strong effort to win Saturday’s $100,000 Soi Phet Stakes at Los Alamitos Race Course.

Breaking from the far outside post 8 as the even-money favorite under Juan Hernandez, Galilean was forced to run wide into the clubhouse turn but soon settled in a close stalking position.

Take the One O One set the pace while posting fractions of :23.00, :46.18, and 1:10.52, but Galilean made a three-wide move in the far turn and emerged onto the front stretch with a slim advantage.

Kept to task the length of the long run, Galilean veered in midway home and changed back to his wrong lead at the 1/16 pole, but he still had too much power to be caught. He crossed 4 lengths the best in a final time of 1:35.49 for the mile-long trip over the fast dirt against fellow California-breds.

“I talked to John Sadler this morning and he told me to try and sit just outside the speed,” said Hernandez, who notched his first stakes victory since permanently relocating his tack from northern California earlier this month. “This horse relaxed perfectly and I wanted to wait until the stretch to make a move, and he exploded when I asked him. He was lugging in some, but I corrected him and he was very strong at the end.”

Grinning Tiger fought hard to hold off Brandothebartender by a head for second. Loud Mouth, King Abner, Take the One O One, Lymebyrd, and Three Ay Em completed the order of finish.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHaDdiz76FI

Galilean’s win was his first since the 2019 California Cup Derby and improved his overall record to 9-4-1-3. The 4-year-old Uncle Mo colt has now earned $442,848 for co-owners West Point Thoroughbreds, Denise Barker, William Sandbrook, and Coolmore.

“It was a good win,” said assistant trainer Alex Bisono. “I wish he had run a little bit straighter down the stretch, but he didn’t bother anybody because he was clear. He was comfortable the whole way. I definitely think he’s a better two-turn horse and he likes this track.”

Galilean returned $4 to win, $3.40 to place, and $3 to show. Grinning Tiger brought back $8.20 to place and $5 to show, while Brandothebartender paid $4.60 to show.