In spite of Santa Anita . Park the winter/spring meeting is still incomplete — closing date is June 19 — coach Phil D’Amato is certain of a record-to-win encounter.
The trainer set the Santa Anita record by winning the 57th race on June 17 when Carpe Vinum rally to win 1/4 length in the $72,000 allowable feature, seventh race. The win moves the San Pedro, California, native past the previous 56-win mark set by coach Doug O’Neill in 2006-07. D’Amato went on to take his 58th win in his ninth race on Friday with a lot of backing Bolden and scored his 59th win in his first race at Santa Anita on June 18 when Flintmore won.
“It’s a great feeling,” said D’Amato, who led all coaches in winnings before ending the weekend with 15 plus points. “I wasn’t expecting it or counting wins, but it’s just a testament to all my guys.
“The entire team effort, from my assistant, the exercise riders and groom down, and most importantly, my owners and the horses they assigned me to be able to do. do this.”
He could add to his total with more than a dozen other runners scheduled to run later on Saturday and Sunday. No trainer can catch him.
D’Amato, 46, has been practicing for more than a decade. Last year, his stables made more than $7.46 million, an annual high for trainers.
