Gold Phoenix among a competitive horses set to go in the San Luis Rey Stakes Saturday
At 0h02, on March 19, 2026 • By Santa Anita Park
Millionaire stablemates Gold Phoenix and Balnikhov, both trained by Phil D’Amato, and newly minted graded stakes winner Mondego are among a competitive group of older horses signed on for Saturday’s Grade III, $100,000 San Luis Rey Stakes going 1 ½ miles on turf Saturday at Santa Anita.
Gold Phoenix will be seeking a bounce-back effort after failing to fire in the 1 ¼-mile San Marcos on Feb. 14, which came after a three-plus month layoff. Sent off the even-money favorite for his 8-year-old debut, Gold Phoenix settled in mid-pack in the San Marcos and then never got untracked late, finishing seventh in a field of eight. Hector Berrios, who previously guided the gelding to victory in the 2023 edition of the GII Eddie Read stakes at Del Mar, jumps back aboard.
Gold Phoenix is 30: 10-3-5 with $2,303,087 in earnings. He is owned by Agave Racing Stable, Little Red Feather Racing, Sterling Stables and Marsha Naify.
Balnikhov kicked off his 7-year-old campaign on Jan. 24 at Gulfstream Park in the GIII William L. McKnight, also at 1 ½ miles. Balnikhov raced near the rear of the field in the McKnight before rallying to be third. The gelding, who races for owner Old Bones Racing Stable, has a record of 38: 8-6-7 and $1,187,993 in earnings. Balnikhov will have Juan Hernandez aboard in the San Luis Rey.
