Acclimate’s Second San Juan Capistrano

‘HE STILL HAS IT’

Cal-bred Acclimate with Ricardo Gonzalez aboard wins his second San Juan Capistrano Stakes at Santa Anita

NO GOLD WATCH YET FOR THIS SENIOR CITIZEN

BY TRACY GANTZ

Earlier this year trainer Phil D’Amato spoke about California-bred Acclimate, a 7-year-old gelding who hadn’t won since August 2019, though he nearly always collected a check.

“Acclimate has trained as good as he ever has,” said D’Amato. “I’m just going to see whether or not he still has that spark to be a graded stakes horse. He sure trains like it in the mornings.”

Te old guy defnitely still has the spark, which he ably demonstrated in the $100,500 San Juan Capistrano Stakes (G3T). Acclimate already had one Capistrano trophy in his collection, from 2019, and he made it two for two at Santa Anita June 19.

Acclimate likes to set the pace even though he excels in marathon turf events. Te Capistrano uses the entire Santa Anita turf course, starting at the top of the hill and touring the main turf course. Acclimate took the lead a few strides out of the gate, and he was able to dictate the pace with Ricardo Gonzalez aboard.

“Just get him in front—nice and comfortable is where he likes to be,” said Gonzalez about his tactics.

No one bothered Acclimate on the lead through a half-mile in :48.19 and six furlongs in 1:11.56. Astronaut challenged briefy in the fnal turn, but Acclimate had plenty in reserve to repel that attempt and then draw away in the stretch. At the wire, he fnished 33⁄4 lengths ahead of Astronaut in 2:49.74. Red King, the 2020 Capistrano winner, fnished third.

Te Johnston family of Old English Rancho had everything to do with Acclimate, from his conception to the present. Te family bred and raced his sire, Eclipse Award winner Acclamation, who stood at Old English before moving to John Harris’ Harris Farms in the joint venture between the two iconic California farms.

Old English bred Acclimate with Sal and Patsy Berumen from their unraced homebred Boundary mare Knows No Bounds. Te Ellwood Johnston Trust owns Acclimate with Timmy Time Racing and Ken Tevelde.

Te third generation of the Johnston family now operates Old English following the death of Ellwood W. (Buddy) Johnston in 2015. Buddy’s wife, Judy, who has also been an integral part of Old English, attended the Capistrano.

“He still has it,” said Judy of Acclimate. “He took a little time of at the ranch. He liked his vacation, but he likes to run better.”

D’Amato, the leading trainer at the Santa Anita meeting, said he was elated by Acclimate’s performance, especially since the Capistrano was the trainer’s favorite race while growing up.

“Tis horse has been through the highs and the lows, and he’s bounced back,” said D’Amato. “He’s just an old warrior, and he gave it his all today. It’s just a beautiful thing to watch.”

D’Amato also complimented Gonzalez’ ride.

“Ricky did a masterful job of maintaining the distance and setting those comfortable fractions to have enough horse left,” the trainer said. “Ricky rode like a seasoned veteran at this distance.”

Champion Cal-bred older male and turf horse of 2019, Acclimate also captured the 2019 Del Mar Handicap (G2T), a race D’Amato said he might target again this summer. Acclimate has placed in fve other stakes, and he has earned $557,872.

© BENOIT PHOTOS

With pandemic restrictions lifted, Santa Anita welcomes once again happy connections to the winner’s circle, in this case for Acclimate’s San Juan Capistrano victory