Gold Phoenix, the millionaire gelding, kicks off his 8-year-old season this Saturday, facing off against experienced older competitors in the Grade 3 San Marcos Stakes. The race, set at one and one-quarter miles on turf at Santa Anita, offers a $100,000 purse. Returning after finishing fifth in the 2025 Breeders’ Cup Turf at Del Mar, this marks Gold Phoenix’s fourth straight year on turf but his debut in the San Marcos Stakes.
The Irish-born horse, trained by Phil D’Amato, boasts over $2.3 million in earnings and holds a record of 10 wins, 3 second-place finishes, and 5 thirds across 29 starts. Owned by Agave Racing Stables, Little Red Feather Racing, Marcia Neifai, and partners, Gold Phoenix will be ridden by jockey Kazushi Kimura, who previously guided him to victory in the 2023 G1 Frank E. Kilroe Mile.
Trainer Jonathan Thomas enters two contenders, including Truly Quality, a repeat winner of the G2 Hollywood Turf Cup at Del Mar in November. After that triumph, Truly Quality competed in the John B. Connally Turf Cup at Sam Houston Park last month, finishing third despite being the odds-on favorite at 1.5 miles. This 6-year-old gelding by Quality Road races as a homebred for George Strawbridge’s Augustine Stables and has a record of 17 starts with 6 wins, 4 seconds, and 4 thirds, amassing $656,670 in earnings. He will be ridden by Mike Smith.
Both Stay Hot and Mondego come into the San Marcos Stakes following finishes in the G3 San Gabriel Stakes at Santa Anita on December 28. Stay Hot, the 5-year-old trained by Peter Eurton, was the favorite in that 1 1/8 mile turf event but ended up fourth. Since his Texas Turf Classic victory at Lone Star Park in June, he’s added five more wins to his impressive tally. Owned by Exline Border Racing, Barnes Racing, The Estate of Brereton C. Jones, and partners, Stay Hot has compiled a 19-start record of 6 wins, 5 seconds, and 2 thirds, with earnings topping $737,660. Juan Hernandez will be his jockey.
Mondego, a British 6-year-old owned by Cheyenne Stables and trained by Michael McCarthy (last year’s San Marcos winner), finished third in the San Gabriel Stakes, just ahead of Stay Hot. He aims to secure his first stakes win under McCarthy’s guidance. Mondego’s record stands at 18 starts, 3 wins, 1 second, and 3 thirds, earning $347,047. Emisael Jaramillo will ride him for the first time in this event.
Here is the G3 San Marcos Stakes lineup by post position, including jockeys and weights:
- Endless — Ricky Gonzalez — 124 lbs
- Smooth Salute — Victor Espinoza — 120 lbs
- Grogu — Diego Herrera — 120 lbs
- Truly Quality — Mike Smith — 124 lbs
- Mondego — Emisael Jaramillo — 120 lbs
- Twirling Point — Antonio Fres — 122 lbs
- Stay Hot — Juan Hernandez — 124 lbs
- The Most Flashy — Armando Ayuso — 122 lbs
- Gold Phoenix — Kazushi Kimura — 124 lbs
- Amplitude — Hector Berrios — 120 lbs
Post time for the race is approximately 3:30 PM PT on Saturday, with first post at 12:30 PM PT.
This piece was initially published by Paulick Report on February 9, 2026.
Fan Take: This race highlights some of the most accomplished turf milers facing off early in the year, setting the tone for an exciting turf season ahead. Fans of horse racing should watch closely, as performances here could forecast future stars and thrilling rivalries in the sport.
