D’AMATO, FRESU TEAM FOR ANOTHER STAKES WIN WITH KING OF GOSFORD IN SUNDAY’S $100,000 JOHN SHEAR STAKES FOR 3-YEAR-OLD ON THE HILLSIDE TURF COURSE

Imported from Europe, King of Gosford is now 2-for-2 in the U.S.

ARCADIA, CA (April 7, 2024)—A day after teaming to win the GI Santa Anita Derby, trainer Phil D’Amato and jockey Antonio Fresu bagged another stakes win Sunday with King of Gosford in the $100,000 John Shear Stakes for 3-year-olds on the hillside turf course.

Dispatched as the 2-1 second choice, King of Gosford prevailed by one length over 10-1 shot Raging Torrent for trainer Doug O’Neill. Miracle Mark, also 10-1, finished another 1 ¾ lengths back in third. Odds-on favorite Heart Headed, with Santa Anita leading rider Juan Hernandez up, was never a factor when finishing fifth of six for trainer John Sadler.

Bred in England, King of Gosford last year had one win in five starts in Ireland before being imported to the U.S. for his campaign. In his local debut March 10, King of Gosford won a first-level allowance going six furlongs on the flat turf course at Santa Anita.

King of Gosford broke last but quickly ranged up to secure second while racing on the inside of pacesetter Charge for Gold (24-1).  King of Gosford drew to even terms with Charge For Gold on the dirt crossing and steadily inched away in the stretch to earn a comfortable victory. Raging Torrent closed from next-to-last under Kazushi Kimura to be second.

“He is a typical European horse,” Fresu said of the slow start. “This was his second start in the U.S. Last time he kind of did the same on the flat. He went to the lead and picked it up nicely.

“Today I just did the same thing. Six and a half down the hill is just perfect for him,” Fresu continued. “I just let him be and he just dragged me there. When I asked him to quicken, he had a nice turn of foot and went straight to the line.”

The winning time for about 6 ½ furlongs on firm turf was 1:11.98. Fractions for the race were 21.95, 43.71 and 1:05.95.

King of Gosford returned $6.40, $4.20 and $3.60. Raging Torrent paid $8.60 and $4.60. Miracle Mark returned $5.00 to show.

King of Gosford is by Australian-bred stallion Zoustar. He is campaigned domestically by Benowitz Family Trust, CYBT, Saul Gevertz, Michael Nentwig and Jeremy Paskoff.

In addition to the Santa Anita Derby, D’Amato Saturday also won the Echo Eddie Stakes with Shady Tiger. This latest victory gives him 10 stakes at the Classic Meet, which is tied with Hall of Famers Bob Baffert and Richard Mandella for most at the stand.

For Fresu, this was his 10th stakes win at the stand, which is one fewer than meet-leader Flavien Prat. Fresu also won the race preceding the John Shear with The Big Cheeseola ($6.80) for trainer Tim Yakteen.

“It feels great,” Fresu said. “I am always working hard to get these types of races. And now I just give thanks to all these people giving me support and putting me on the right horses. I am trying to do my best.”

After a one-week break, live racing will resume on April 19 with the start of the Hollywood Meet.