Visitant Picks Up First Stakes Victory in the Alcatraz
Local 3-year-old colt Visitant marked up his first stakes win on Sunday with a length and a quarter victory in the one-mile $75,000 Alcatraz Stakes for 3-year-olds. The race was originally scheduled for turf but moved to the Tapeta due to wet weather earlier in the week. Before winning the Alczatraz, Visitant finished second to the Bob Baffert trained Kingly in the California Derby and had won a pair of sprint races earlier in the year.
In the Alcatraz, Visitant was third turning into the stretch before passing Southern California shipper One Bad Boy and Kingly in the final furlong, improving his record to 3 wins from 4 starts. From 4 races, Visitant has amassed career earnings of just over $101,000.
“[Visitant] came out of the race great,” said the colt’s trainer, John Martin. “He got a pace to run at and that helped. He’s a horse that takes a little bit to get going but once he finds his stride he really comes home strong. He’s a nice horse and I think he’s got a nice career ahead of him.”
Thursday morning, John Martin confirmed that Visitant will race in the Grade 3 $100,000 Affirmed Stakes for 3-year-olds on June 16 at Santa Anita. The Affirmed is run at a mile and a sixteenth on dirt.
Visitant will continue to train in Northern California for Martin and owners Williamson Racing LLC while preparing for the Affirmed Stakes. Williamson Racing LLC also bred Visitant, by Ghostzapper out of the stakes placed mare Peppermint Lounge. Peppermint Lounge is a mare that the Williamson family raced in Southern California in the mid 2000’s.
Anothertwistafate Heading Back to California After Preakness Run
Following a tenth place finish in the Preakness last Saturday, El Camino Real Derby winner Anothertwistafate shipped back to Golden Gate Fields Wednesday afternoon and will train over the Tapeta in preparation for his next start, which is still undetermined.
“We’ll regroup, train him at Golden Gate and look at some races for this summer,” trainer Blaine Wright told Golden Gate Publicity Wednesday afternoon. “He pulled up good and looked fine after the [Preakness]. We would have liked to have finished in a better position, sure, but it was a great experience and we are very proud of our horse.”
Wright indicated that Anothertwistafate will target a summer and fall campaign, with numerous options to consider.
“We’d really like to try [Anothertwistafate] on turf,” continued Wright. “We’re looking at some races-maybe a race or two at Del Mar-but we still think the world of him and know he has a bright future. He’s well-traveled and has been running hard, so we’ll freshen him up.”
“Thanks to everyone who showed their support,” finished Wright. “It meant a great deal to represent Golden Gate Fields and be a part of the Preakness, a race of such high caliber.”
All American Stakes To Be Drawn Friday, Run On Monday
Memorial Day Monday racing rounds out a five-day race schedule at Golden Gate Fields this week. The feature this Monday: the $100,000 Grade 3 All American Stakes for 3-year-olds and upward on the Tapeta.
16 horses were nominated to the one mile contest. Among the local probables expected to enter in the 2019 All American are Choo Choo, who ran third in the San Francisco Mile last month, and stakes winner Gabo’s Macondo. Builder, Grecian Fire, Many Roses, More Power To Him and Touched By Autism are also listed as probable.
Seven Southern California nominees are on the list of All American nominations, though a handful of them are doubtful to run. The Peter Eurton trained Dark Vader is entered in an allowance race this week at Santa Anita as is El Huerfano, conditioned by Mark Glatt. Southern California trainer Michael McCarthy won the All American last year with Justify’s little brother, The Lieutenant, and nominated 5-year-old gelding Oiseau De Guerre to this year’s edition. Oiseau De Guerre is entered in a Saturday allowance at Golden Gate and is unlikely to re-enter into the All American. Morse Code, also nominated for the All American, is slated to run in the Grade 2 Charles Whittingham at Santa Anita on Saturday.
The connections of Grade 3 winner Draft Pick, multiple allowance winner Higher Power, and stakes winner Ritzy A.P. are still mulling their options after nominating to the All American.
First post on Thursday, Friday and Memorial Day Monday is 12:45 PM. Saturday and Sunday has a first post time of 1:15 PM.
FINISH LINES: Jockey Abel Cedillo has the most wins out of any jockey at the current meeting, with 112 trips to the winners circle. Juan Hernandez sits in second place with 96 victories…Jonathan Wong holds an insurmountable lead in the trainer standings with 78 wins, 42 more than Jerry Hollendorfer…Jockeys Francisco Monroy and Luis Ocasio escaped injury after being unseated from their mounts in two separate incidents over the weekend and are planning to ride this week, according to both riders’ agents. The horses involved in the mishaps walked back to their barns okay…Happy birthday to afternoon outrider Ashton Compoy, who turns a year older on Thursday…Leg D of the $100,000 guaranteed Stronach 5 wager goes as Race 5 at Golden Gate Fields.