Dubai World Cup is possible for San Pasqual winner Newgrange
Newgrange was doing well the morning after successfully defending his title in Saturday’s Grade 2 San Pasqual Stakes and becoming racing’s newest millionaire.
“He came out of the race in great shape,” said winning trainer Phil D’Amato, who collected his fifth stakes win of the meet to lead all trainers.
Ridden for the first time Saturday by Hall of Famer Victor Espinoza, Newgrange broke on top and was never headed to score by a length as the 2-1 second choice. Newgate, the 8-5 favorite for Bob Baffert, stalked Newgrange throughout the 1 1/8-mile dirt test but could not get to the winner. He checked in second, three-quarters of a length ahead of 11-1 long shot Mixto for trainer Doug O’Neill.
D’Amato offered praise to both his horse and rider for the performance. Espinoza rationed Newgrange through fractions of 23.27, 47.55 and 1:12.10 before crossing the wire in 1:49.26. The effort earned a 97 Beyer Speed Figure, according to Daily Racing Form’s Brad Free.
“They controlled the pace and didn’t look back,” D’Amato said. “You have to give Victor credit for getting good position, setting the right pace and having enough left.”
For 51-year-old Espinoza, who swept the 2015 Triple Crown with American Pharoah, the win was the 3,509th of his career. It was only his second graded-stakes win since 2022. Last year, Espinoza’s lone graded-stakes tally came in the John Henry Turf Championship (G2) at Santa Anita with Balladeer for trainer George Papaprodromou.
As for Newgrange, a trip to the Middle East could be in the near future. D’Amato said it’s possible they take a shot in the $12 million Dubai World Cup (G1) at 1 1/4 miles on March 30 at Meydan Racecourse.
“Judging by what the owners were saying yesterday, I think that’s what they are leaning towards,” D’Amato said. “But it’s still a long way between now and the end of March.”
Newgrange is a 5-year-old Violence full horse owned by David Bernsen, Little Red Feather Racing and Rockingham Ranch. With the fifth graded stakes win of his career, he upped his record to 13: 7-0-4 with $1,007,634 in earnings.