It was a second graded stakes winner of the day for WAR FRONT on Saturday when War At Sea won the Golden Gate Handicap (G3) at Golden Gate Fields.
Tackling 1 1/16 miles on the track’s synthetic course, War At Sea broke well and settled in midpack just over two lengths behind the leader between horses. He was keen to run in the tightly packed field as they raced into the turn but had to settle with multiple horses directly in front of him.
Forced to drop back so he could angle to the outside of the horses, War At Sea flew up the center of the track in the final furlong to make a final bid for the win. It took nearly the whole stretch but he got up just in time to win by a nose for his first career graded stakes victory.
Trained by Ron Ellis for Doubledown Stables, he has won four of 14 starts with four other top three finishes for over $250,000 in earnings.
The 4-year-old was a $525,000 OBS March purchase by his trainer from Eddie Woods in 2021 and is a grandson of champion and bluehen broodmare Serena’s Song out of her stakes winning daughter Serene Melody.
Serena’s Song also produced Grade I winner Sophisticat, Grade II winners Harlington and Grand Reward, and Grade III winner Schramsberg. Another one of her daughters is the dam of champion Honor Code.
Earlier in the day in California, WAR FRONT saw son Seal Team earn his first stakes victory in the Twilight Derby (G2).