Forgive trainers Phil D’Amato and Michael McCarthy if they cannot pay enough attention to their runners in the May 4 Charles Whittingham Stakes (G2T) at Santa Anita Park. If all goes well, D’Amato and McCarthy will sit tight Wall And endless respectively, for the 150th Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downsleaving the hopes of Whittingham in the hands of their capable assistants.
D’Amato has three in Whittingham to face the trained McCarthy naughty defending champion Whittingham and also the winner of the 2023 San Luis Rey Stakes (G3T). Offlee Naughty will be third at San Luis Rey this year.
Each of the D’Amato trio is an Irish-bred multiple grade stakes winner. Golden phoenix won the Frank E. Kilroe Mile Stakes (G1T), Del Mar Handicap (G2T) and Eddie Read Stakes (G2T) last year, while Prince Abama won the 2023 San Marcos Stakes (G3T) and the 2022 Hollywood Turf Cup Stakes (G2T). Previously coached by Chad Brown, rock emperor is having his first match for D’Amato. Rockemperor last won the 2022 Bowling Green Stakes (G2T) at Saratoga Race Course.
Mo Chara Dice , trained by Leonard Powell, finished second to Offlee Naughty at Whittingham last year. Richard Mandella trained planet in his last three starts has won the 2023 Hollywood Turf Cup and finished runner-up at San Marcos and San Luis Rey this year. ballad singer winner of the 2023 John Henry Turf Championship Stakes (G2T) and war at sea 2023 Golden Gate Handicap (G3) winner in the aggregate, out.
Item: Charles Whittingham S. Presented by FanDuel TV (G2T)
Santa Anita ParkSaturday, May 4, 2024, Stage 7
- class II
- 1 1/4m
- The grass field is downhill
- 200,000 USD
- 4 years old and up
- 3:30 pm (local)
