Berkley, Calif. (May 27, 2019)- Under the guidance of jockey William Antongeorgi III, 5-year-old gelding Grecian Fire stalked the pace before powering away from his rivals in the $100,000 Grade 3 All American Stakes at Golden Gate Fields on Memorial Day Monday. Grecian Fire held off a late challenge from second place finisher Builder, winning the mile Tapeta contest by a length and a quarter. 2018 Oakland Stakes winner Touched by Autism completed the trifecta.
“I was in a good position and [the frontrunners] were going at a good pace,” said Antongeorgi. “When [Touched by Autism] was tiring at the 5/16ths, I was able to go after Gabo’s Macondo [who was in front in upper stretch.]
“[Grecian Fire] is really maturing,” continued Antongeorgi. “He was kind of lazy before but now if you put him in the right spot he’ll give you that run.”
Trained by Jerry Hollendorfer and owned and bred by KMN Racing, the California bred son of Unusual Heat improved his lifetime record to 5 wins, 2 seconds and 4 thirds from 23 lifetime starts, with career earnings of $286,702.
“Between that last race and this one, he really picked up on his training,” said Hollendorfer. “His last work was excellent. He got a little better trip today than in his last start.”
Hollendorfer indicated that Grecian Fire is now a possible for the $125,000 California Dreamin Stakes at Del Mar on July 26, a one-mile and a sixteenth turf race for California-breds.
Southern California shipper Red King ran fourth followed by 2-1 favorite Choo Choo, Gabo’s Macondo, More Power to Him and Many Roses. Grecian Fire completed the one-mile in 1:36.49.
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