Since arriving in the United States early last year, King of Gosford has steadily risen up the ranks. The patience by his connections was rewarded May 26 as his powerful late move carried the 4-year-old to victory in the Grade 1 $302,000 Shoemaker Mile Stakes at Santa Anita Park.

Winning the Shoemaker Mile had been the ultimate goal for trainer Phil D'Amato since King of Gosford returned from a four-month layoff with a second-place finish behind Cabo Spirit in the Grade 3 American Stakes on April 20 with jockey Flavien Prat aboard.

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"I think Flavien learned a little bit of something in defeat last time about making his move," D'Amato told Santa Anita's Michelle Yu in the winner's circle. "He knew and I knew that going into that last race, it was a tune-up for this one, and it worked out well."

Prat timed the ride to perfection as King of Gosford settled toward the rear of the field as Goliad went quickly up front setting fractions of :22.92 and :45.68 while a few lengths clear of Cabo Spirit.

Prat began to move as they entered the far turn, getting a jump on favored Formidable Man. Cabo Spirit took command with a furlong to run and then embraced the challenge of Mi Hermano Ramon.

Meanwhile, King of Gosford was picking up steam in the middle of the course and thundered on by the lead pair just in time to win by a head. Mi Hermano Ramon got the better of Cabo Spirit by a nose for the runner-up position in a tight three-way finish. Formidable Man was fourth.

King of Gosford stopped the clock in 1:33.52, paying $10.80 to win.

Saffie Joseph and Irad Ortiz Dominate Undercard with Be Your Best, Skippylongstocking

Be Your Best dominated the Grade 1 $300,000 Gamely Stakes to win by 2 3/4 lengths, earning her first Grade 1 victory and the first ever win at Santa Anita Park for trainer Saffie Joseph Jr..

Sent off at odds of 2.10-1, Be Your Best broke sharply and went right to the lead under Irad Ortiz Jr.. She exploded at the top of the stretch to leave her rivals behind as she drew clear to finish the 1 1/16-mile race in 1:46.26. Lady Claypoole finished second, with Liguria settling for third.

Be Your Best. (Eclipse Sportswire)

Be Your Best rebounded off a disappointing eighth-place finish in the Grade 1 Jenny Wiley Stakes at Keeneland on April 12. Prior to that, she had won the Grade 2 TAA Pegasus World Cup Filly and Mare Turf Invitational Stakes presented by SirDavis American Whisky at Gulfstream Park Jan. 25. The Gamely Stakes victory boosted her bankroll to $1,086,559 with a record of 6-3-2 from 20 starts.

"Last time, the ground was too soft. I thought she would like this ground more today. It's more like Gulfstream's firm turf. I let her relax and let her be happy. When I turned for home, I still had something in the tank."

Be Your Best paid $6.20 to win. -- Olivia Newman

Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. and jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. had an amazing hour at Santa Anita Park May 26. One race after the terrific Be Your Best captured the Grade 1 Gamely Stakes, the venerable Skippylongstocking added the Grade 2 $200,000 Hollywood Gold Cup Stakes.

Skippylongstocking was making his second start at Santa Anita after coming in third in the 2023 Big Ass Fans Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile. He demonstrated again that no matter what track Joseph ships him to, he will be ready to give his all. His career bankroll now stands at more than $3.6 million.

Though he frequently sets the pace, Ortiz let the 4-5 favorite settle mid-pack in the seven-horse field in the 1 1/4-mile Gold Cup. Ortiz asked Skippylongstocking to start moving up into the second turn, and the horse delivered his usual professional response. Skippylongstocking prevailed by three-quarters of a length, stopping the timer in 2:01.64. Midnight Mammoth finished second. Extensive was third. -- Tracy Gantz