Ridden by Calvin Borel, Delightful Kiss won the 1 1/8-mile All American by one length over 3-to-5 favorite Awesome Gem in 1:49.54, a recording clocking on Golden Gate Fields' Tapeta racing surface.
Borel, making his first ride ever at Golden Gate Fields, rallied Delightful Kiss from last in a field of seven. A powerful gray gelding, Delightful Kiss inhaled the front-runners with a big move on the far turn and then outran Awesome Gem down the stretch to record his second straight stakes victory and his sixth win in 20 career starts.
Delightful Kiss is the only horse in the barn of trainer Pete Anderson, a former jockey who rode for 25 years.
"I'm floating on air right now," said Anderson. "Having a horse like this is a lifelong dream. Not to be a wise guy, but I thought this race was over on the turn."
Borel was impressed with the way Delightful Kiss finished.
"He went the last 5/16ths of a mile so fast it was unbelievable," said Borel. "My horse has a tremendous turn of foot and I'm really looking forward to riding him in the Breeders' Cup."
Although Delightful Kiss has qualified for the $500,000 Marathon, his big performance in the All American prompted a reporter to ask Anderson if he would consider trying the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic.
"It's something I'm going to think about." said Anderson. "I'm not use d to having a horse in the Breeders' Cup."
Anderson said Delightful Kiss would remain at Golden Gate Fields to complete his training for the Breeders' Cup.
"He likes cooler weather, and he trains well on this track so we'll stay here until maybe four or five days before the Breeders' Cup," said Anderson.
Delightful Kiss was the 2-to-1 second choice in the All American and paid $6.40 to win. Owned by Hobeau Farm, Delightful Kiss earned $131,800 and the check boosted his career earnings to $708,887.
Racing continues at Golden Gate Fields Sunday. Post time is 12:45 p.m. and the track will offer $1 general parking, $1 general admission, $1 hot dogs, $1 beers, $1 sodas and $1 programs. Golden Gate Fields will also televise all the NFL games as it subscribes to NFL Sunday Ticket