Coach Phil D’Amato became the first coach since John Gosden nearly four decades ago to win consecutive editions of the Hollywood Turf Cup Stakes (G2T). With jockey Flavien Prat expertly assessed the speed of the 1 1/2 mile race at Del Mar November 25, Prince Abama claimed his first bet win in an increasingly familiar scenario in Southern California: D’Amato won his bets on the pitch with an Irishman.
No one rushed to the front when the gate opened, although the three-year-old was alone in the field, gray witch got off to a particularly slow start. Go on seemed to be the only one with the pace, and he took the lead, with Prince Abama in second place. But “speed” won’t play much of a role.
Prat realized that fractions were very slow; The original Go On fractions are: 24.88 for the first quarter mile and: 51.79 for the half mile.
Prat said: “We slowed down a bit and I was between the two horses. “I felt a little uncomfortable, so I let him run for a bit.”
Prince Abama complied with Prat’s request to take command of the clubhouse turn. Prat was in no hurry as they took the lead, with Prince Abama taking charge of the long six-part ratio of 1:17.63.
Speed may have affected the chances of favorite 2-1 Dice Mo Chara , who ran the earliest. As the yard reached its final turn, Prince Abama began to speed up and Dicey Mo Chara began to overtake his horse outside. But the leaders had plenty of reserves, and Dicey Mo Chara couldn’t get far, ending up only fourth.
Cash equity , also trained by D’Amato, had to test early. He ranked second at the back, while avenue and The Gray Wizard also offered bids. However, Prince Abama and Prat controlled the race well, and while Avenue and The Gray Wizard battled for second place, Prince Abama was never in danger, winning three-quarters of the distance. road with the score 2: 29.42. Gray Wizard knocked out Avenue in second place.
Prince Abama’s relationship during the trophy presentation for the Hollywood Turf Cup
Prince Abama started his career in Ireland in a bid to finish fourth, and he’s been racing in Southern California under D’Amato’s care since the middle of last year. The 4-year-old gelding broke his maiden streak in his third start for D’Amato, who most recently placed him a few miles on the pitch in the fall Santa Anita meeting. Prince Abama finished third in the City of Hope Mile Stakes (G2T) on October 1 and second in the restricted Lure Stakes on October 29.
“I think he definitely wants to play longer,” D’Amato said after the Turf Cup. “It’s a mile and a half now – that’s a big question mark. That slow pace has helped him, and I think he’s got his footing in the middle distance. That got him there. advantage when coming from behind.”
D’Amato, Del Mar’s current top coach, handles Prince Abama for owner Michael House. Air Conditioners won last year’s Turf Cup with Agave Racing Stable and Sam-Son Farm’s Say the word . The last time a coach ran in a row in a race was in 1984-86, when John Gosden won with alphabet, Zoffany, then again Alphabatim. At the time, the race was conducted at Hollywood Park.
Prince Abama was bred in Ireland by Tom Jones. Via Tamayuz gelding is out of unraced Mr. Greeley mare Lady Abama.
Video: Hollywood S. Lawn Cup (G2T)
