Edited Del Mar Staff Release: 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.”
