Galilean’s Golden State Series Double

Cal-bred Galilean captures the Soi Phet Stakes, previously the Bertrando Stakes, at Los Alamitos

© BENOIT PHOTOS

BY TRACY GANTZ

For the frst time in the history of what was originally the Bertrando Stakes at Los Alamitos, former claimer and eventual millionaire Soi Phet did not compete. Twice winner of the race in six attempts, the now-retired Soi Phet is today remembered with the race being renamed for him.

Te renewal June 27 brought together a talented group of seven California-breds and one Oregon-bred, Grinning Tiger, a son of California sire Smiling Tiger. Several had multiple stakes credentials, but the standout, according to bettors, was Galilean, sent of as the even-money favorite.

Galilean has stood out in a crowd most of his life. K. Neal and Pam Christopherson bought the son of Uncle Mo in utero in the name of their Bar C Racing Stables when they paid $35,000 for his dam, the El Prado mare Fresia, at the 2015 Keeneland November sale.

Fresia produced Galilean in 2016 at John Harris’ Harris Ranch in Coalinga, and the colt was a looker from the outset. He sold for $60,000 at the 2017 Barretts select yearling sale and developed into an even more attractive 2-year-old sale prospect.

Consigned by Eddie Woods to the 2018 Barretts spring 2-year-old sale, Galilean impressed buyers to such an extent that he topped the sale at $600,000. Terry Finley of West Point Toroughbreds signed the ticket, saying at the time, “I just thought he was a beautiful horse that would have ft in any of the sales.”

Under Jerry Hollendorfer’s tutelage at 2 and 3, Galilean won the 2018 Barretts Juvenile Stakes and King Glorious Stakes and the 2019 California Cup Derby. He also fnished third in a division of the 2019 Rebel Stakes (G2).

Prior to the 2019 Arkansas Derby (G1), West Point sold an interest in

Galilean to Coolmore Stud. John Sadler now trains the colt for West Point, Denise Barker, William Sandbrook, and Coolmore principals John Magnier, Michael Tabor, and Derrick Smith.

Coming into the one-mile Soi Phet at Los Alamitos, Galilean had fnished third in two open allowance optional claiming races at Santa Anita, one at 5 1 ⁄2 furlongs and the other at 6 1 ⁄2 furlongs.

“I defnitely think he’s a better twoturn horse, and he likes this track,” said Sadler’s assistant trainer Alex Bisono after the race.

Indeed, Galilean demonstrated his affnity for Los Alamitos in the Soi Phet. Cal-bred champion 3-year-old male Take the One O One spurted to the lead, tracked by Grinning Tiger, most recently winner of the Crystal Water Stakes. Jockey Juan Hernandez kept Galilean in third, following Sadler’s instructions to try and sit just outside the speed.

Tat meant Galilean had to race four wide on the second turn, but the extra distance did not matter.

“Tis horse relaxed perfectly, and I wanted to wait until the stretch to make a move,” said Hernandez. “He exploded when I asked him.”

Once Hernandez pressed the button, Galilean swooped to the front and began lengthening what became an impressive lead. He lugged in without incident to score by four lengths in 1:35.49. Soi Phet holds the track record of 1:33.95, set in 2014.

“I wish he had run a little bit straighter down the stretch,” said Bisono. “But he didn’t bother anybody because he was clear. He was comfortable the whole way.”

Grinning Tiger held on for second, a head in front of Brandothebartender, who stumbled at the start to come away in last and rallied for the show spot.

ON TO DEL MAR

Los Alamitos doesn’t have a turf course whereas Del Mar traditionally features a wide range of turf opportunities. So when the circuit moved south, the Golden State Stakes program for older horses also switched surfaces.

Tat didn’t deter most of the Soi Phet feld. Six of the eight in the Soi Phet headed for the $127,500 California

Having proved he’s just as good on turf by winning the California Dreamin’ Stakes, Galilean and jockey Flavien Prat return to the Del Mar winner’s circle

Dreamin’ Stakes on the turf at Del Mar July 26. Te distance stretched out from a mile to 1 1 ⁄16 miles. Five others joined the Soi Phet bunch.

Galilean had never raced on turf, in part because last year he tried the Triple Crown trail. But Uncle Mo can certainly sire California grass runners. His son Mo Town captured the 2017 Hollywood Derby (G1T), and his daughter Mokat won the 2016 San Clemente Handicap (G2T), both at Del Mar. Last year at Santa Anita, Epical won the San Luis Rey Stakes (G2T) and Mo Forza took the Qatar Twilight Derby (G2T).

Camino Del Paraiso brought an impressive turf resume to the California Dreamin’ and was made the 5-2 morning-line favorite. However, bettors opted for Galilean’s overall record and sent him away as the 6-5 choice, with Camino Del Paraiso at 4-1.

Tat matchup didn’t materialize because Camino Del Paraiso clipped heels in the stretch and lost jockey Drayden Van Dyke. Both horse and rider appeared fne immediately afterward.

Galilean, ridden this time by Flavien Prat, bumped with Camino Del Paraiso to his inside at the start and then settled into fourth. Grinning Tiger and Take the One O One vied with each other for the lead through most of the frst part of the race. Tose tactics took a toll later, as they both tired.

Prat credited Galilean, saying, “Tis horse today put me in a good spot. I was able to save ground, and he ran well to fnish.”

Galilean got to the lead in the stretch. Longshot Whooping Jay closed from eighth, but he couldn’t catch Galilean, who beat him by a half-length and stopped the timer in 1:40.87. Brandothebartender ran third, the same position he fnished in the Soi Phet.

“A beautiful ride by Flavien,” Sadler said after the race. “A ground-saving trip, and he liked the turf just as we thought he would.”

With the California Dreamin’ victory, Galilean brought his record to fve wins, one second, and three thirds in 10 starts for earnings of $514,098.