8 year old gelding is difficult Acclimate added to his batch of California stake scores in battle with an immediate $126,000 San Luis Rey Stakes (G3T) win on March 12 at Santa Anita . Park.
“Unbelievable; he may be 8 years old but he gets better every day. His dad (Acclamation) did the same thing and he’s in good shape. We love races,” said Judy Johnston, part owner and breeder. “It’s very exciting. We breed them, we bring them into the world and race them, and this horse is exceptionally good. We’re very pleased with him.”
With scratches from my favorite morning-line Say the word who beat Acclimate at length in a match at the Hollywood Turf Cup Stakes (G2T) on November 26 and was the classified winner Award winner Distance favorite Acclimate was bet down as even money favorite in Saturday’s 1/2 mile turf test.
As is the norm for gel runs in the bay, Acclimate and his frequent companion Ricky Gonzalez strutted ahead and dictated the pace from start to finish. Virtually unchallenged in the rear, Acclimate comes through the openings of: 25.08 and :48.26, increasing his advantage to four lengths as he dashes through the six-feathered marker in 1:12.32. After hitting the far corner, he was challenged by Current and Dicey Mo Chara but was ready to hit Gonzalez down the lane, digging deep and maintaining a narrow advantage against a stubborn Dicey Mo Chara at the wire.
Although Acclimate was somewhat inferior to Dicey Mo Chara in the sixteenth final, the order of finishing remained the same. Acclimate dominates by more than half the length over that opponent, with now the other 3 1/2 lengths falling back a third to complete the trio.
Owned in partnership with The Ellwood Johnston Trust, Timmy Time Racing, Brooke and Ryan Bartlett, Michael Goritz, and Kenneth Tevelde and coached by Philip D’Amato, Acclimate raced 1/2 mile on firm grass. sure in 2: 25,40 . He paid $4.20 for a $2 winning ticket.
“That’s what he likes to do, going out and having fun being in the lead, so I just let him do what he likes to do,” Gonzalez said. “As soon as he felt (Dicey Mo Chara) on his hip, he stabbed in and showed how big his heart is.”
The venerable rider registered his career fourth place bet win at San Luis Rey after taking part in two editions (2019, 2021) of the San Luis Capistrano Stakes (G3T) as well as the 2019 Handicap Del Mar presented by the Japan Racing Association (G2T). He’s banked $763,372 over his 31-race career.
D’Amato said: “This horse is always there, he loves those dogfights.
The son of the California star and the old champion horse of 2011 Welcome , Acclimate was bred in California by Old English Rancho and Sal and Patsy Berumen. He is the only bet winner made from the Boundary mare Know no limits who has four winners from six children to race against.
Videotapes: San Luis Rey S. (G3T)
