Goliad Shortens Up, Drops in Class for Tough Daytona

Ramona S. Bass and Perry R. Bass II's Goliad will get a break from facing grade 1 turf milers when he drops in class and shortens in distance June 14 in the $100,000 Daytona Stakes (G3T) at Santa Anita Park.

The 6 1/2-furlong turf sprint for 3-year-olds and up drew an accomplished field of eight older horses.

Goliad, trained by Hall of Famer Richard Mandella, was a two-time graded winner going a mile on the turf last year at the ripe old age of 7, taking the Thunder Road Stakes (G3T) at Santa Anita and the Mint Millions Stakes (G3T) at Kentucky Downs.

Goliad led for six furlongs of the 2024 Breeders' Cup Mile (G1T) at Del Mar and the May 26 Shoemaker Mile Stakes (G1T) at Santa Anita, but finished ninth and eighth respectively.

Turf milers with speed can do well turning back on the downhill, but if the now 8-year-old War Front  gelding is to get back into the winner's circle Saturday, it will take more than class relief. A sharp effort from him and rider Mike Smith will be required, as four of their opponents—Air Force Red, Bran, Stay Hot, and Motorious—are accomplished stakes horses on the downhill turf.

Anthony Fanticola's Motorious is likely to be favored for trainer Phil D'Amato despite making his first start in six months. The 7-year-old Muhaarar gelding last year won the Green Flash Handicap (G3T) going five furlongs on the Del Mar turf, was second by a neck in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1T) at Del Mar, and won the Joe Hernandez Stakes (G2T) at this course and distance.

Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Holly Golightly's Air Force Red, a 7-year-old Air Force Blue ridgling, is another course and distance specialist. He won the 2022 Joe Hernandez and this year's San Simeon Stakes (G3T) on the downhill.

Another 7-year-old, Hronis Racing's Bran, won the 2022 Daytona but has only run six times since. He finished a good second in his 2025 debut for trainer John Sadler May 10 in the six-furlong Siren Lure Stakes, won by fellow Daytona entrant Lovesick Blues, with Air Force Red finishing third.

Stay Hot, a 4-year-old Summer Front ridgling, is the youngest horse in the field and will be making his first start outside of age-restricted company. The Peter Eurton trainee won three stakes on the Southern California turf last year, including the Baffle Stakes here on the downhill. Stay Hot also finished second in the 2024 Del Mar Derby (G2T) and Mathis Mile Stakes (G2T).