To say trainer Phil D’Amato has a solid chance of winning the Del Mar Handicap (G2T) would be an understatement. On August 31, he’ll saddle three of seven competitors—each of the morning’s top four picks—and all three are millionaires.
Win $300,000 Del Mar The event is not a new assignment for D’Amato. After winning eight of his last 10 runs, the Southern California-based trainer retained the “Win and You’re In” entry for the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1T), which the race offers through the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series.
Golden Phoenix responsible for D’Amato’s last two wins in the 1 3/8-mile race, using his reserve to finish 10th and fourth in the last two editions of the Turf.
If Gold Phoenix wins the race again—with a third different rider, Kyle Frey—the 6-year-old will Belardo The gelding gets the chance to compete on the biggest stage at a track where it has proven itself.
In five starts at the Del Mar track, the Grade 1 winner has won three times. His only win came in his last start, Eddie Read (G2T) on July 28, when he was caught in traffic during the 1 1/8-mile race.
Racing in the colours of Little Red Feather Racing, Sterling Stables and Marsha Naify, Gold Phoenix is considered the 5-2 favourite.
Also not the clearest ride for D’Amato in the Eddie Read leg Balnikhov who found a running gap in the final sixteenth inning and recovered to take third place.
Like Gold Phoenix, Balnikhov is owned by Little Red Feather, but is partnered with Madaket Stables and Old Bones Racing Stable. Kazushi Kimura will need to navigate a trip from the rail in his second outing on the 5-year-old horse. Done gelding
The final version of the D’Amato trilogy won first prize. Rock Emperor The 8-year-old hasn’t been to the winner’s circle since the 2022 Bowling Green (G2T) at Saratoga Race Trackbut continues to compete at a high level. In his most recent start, he finished second by a neck in the 1 3/4-mile San Juan Capistrano (G3T) at Santa Anita Park June 16.
If the win doesn’t go to D’Amato, the morning odds suggest it will come from Masterpiece . Fourth in Eddie Read, odds of 3-1 make him the second choice alongside Balnikhov for coach Rick Dutrow Jr.
Owner Donia Pancha and trainer Francisco Garcia join the race’s “wild card” The Encinal . Making his debut in the United States, the Argentine was last seen winning the Pellegrini Internacional (G1T) by a wide margin on December 16.
The Del Mar Handicap is the 5th race with a start time of 3:32 Pacific time.
Entries: Del Mar H. Presented by Japan Racing Association (G2T)
Del MarSaturday, August 31, 2024, Race 5
- Class IIT
- 1 3/8 minutes
- Grass
- $300,000
- 3 years and up
- 3:32 PM (local time)
