Santa Anita: Atitlan carries Berrios to upset in San Luis Rey

Three races after earning his 500th victory in the U.S. and Canada, jockey Héctor Berrios piloted Atitlan to a 9-1 upset in the Grade 3, $100,000 San Luis Rey Stakes going 1 1/2 miles on turf Saturday at Santa Anita.

Trained by John Shirreffs, Atitlan settled near the rear of the field as long shot Balladeer (36-1) ushered the field through opening fractions of 23.90, 47.79, 1:11.98 and 1:36.79. In the final turn, Atitlan unleashed a sweeping outside move to draw into contention and kicked clear in the stretch to win by two lengths.

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Divin Propos (8-1) was second under Ricky González with post-time favorite Gold Phoenix (8-5) another half-length back in third. Divin Propos and Gold Phoenix are trained by Phil D’Amato.

For Grade 1 winner Gold Phoenix, this was his first start since finishing fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Turf on Nov. 2 at Del Mar. The now 7-year-old gelding got a ground-saving trip under Kyle Frey, was blocked behind horses at the top of the stretch and then rallied late to finish 2 ½ lengths adrift of the winner.

Atitlan won with a time of 2:24.73. This was his second graded-stakes victory. In 2024 the now 4-year-old colt by The Factor won the Twilight Derby (G2) with Berrios up going 1 1/8 miles at Del Mar.

For Berrios, 38, a native of Chile, it was his third win on the card. He also finished first in the third race on Yogi Boy ($6.80) for for trainer Mike Puype and earned his milestone victory in the fourth race aboard Mr. Disrespectful ($4.40) for trainer Martin Valenzuela Jr.

“John Shirreffs put a shorter blinker on him, and it’s much better,” Berrios said of Atitlan. “He went comfortably. When I put him on the outside on the turn, he responded and finished strong.

This was Sherriffs’s second victory in the San Luis Rey, which first was run in 1952. He also won it in 2005 with Stanley Park. The San Luis Rey traditionally has crowned the top turf horse of the Santa Anita season.

“This is one of those dream races, a marquee race,” Shirreffs said.

Atitlan improved to 9: 3-0-3 with $300,000 in earnings for owner John O’Connor. In his only previous start this year, he finished fifth after being forwardly placed in the San Marcos (G3) going 1 1/4 miles on turf Feb. 8 at Santa Anita.

Atitlan paid $20.20, $7.40 and $4.80. Divin Propos returned $7.20 and $4.80. Gold Phoenix paid $3.40.