Three is the magic quantity for coach Phil D’Amato at Del Mar Nov. 29 as he sends a trio of runners to the submit in an try to win his third $200,000 Hollywood Turf Cup (G2T).
Divin Propos , Rockemperor , and Balnikhov exit the Sept. 28 California Crown John Henry Turf Championship Stakes (G2T) going 1 1/4 miles at Santa Anita Park. All raced within the again half of the 11-horse subject early they usually completed sixth, ninth, and tenth, respectively.
“The John Henry was only a paceless race,” D’Amato stated. “They went three quarters in (1:15.13) on a quick turf course and the primary three finishers had been on a merry-go-round all the best way round there.”
Video: California Crown John Henry Turf Championship S. offered by 1/ST BET (G2T)
The trio will get their shot at redemption going 1 1/2 miles Friday, hopeful that tempo performs extra favorably this time. Every is able to a top-class efficiency on his day.
Little Pink Feather Racing, Madaket Stables, and Previous Bones Racing Steady’s Balnikhov is the one one of many three to style graded success this season, which came to visit gentle turf at Pimlico Race Course within the Dinner Occasion Stakes (G3T). Between that Might victory and the John Henry, he was third in a pair of Del Mar grade 2s. This would be the 5-year-old Adaay gelding’s first begin on the distance.
Rockemperor, who races for Madaket, Marvel Stables, Michael Caruso, Michael Dubb, and Michael Kisber, has not gained because the July 2022 Bowling Inexperienced Stakes (G2T) at Saratoga Race Course however has been a continuing presence on the high degree throughout the nation and sometimes finds himself inside just a few lengths of victory.
The John Henry was Divin Propos’ first stakes look in america, having beforehand gained two of three allowance begins stateside. He’s owned by Madaket, Panic Steady, and William Strauss.
The horse liable for the “paceless” John Henry was Kretz Racing’s Cabo Spirit , who took the sphere gate-to-wire in a size victory. He took a shot at doing the identical factor within the Nov. 2 Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1T) at Del Mar however light to complete twelfth. That was his solely begin over 12 furlongs, however this time the George Papaprodromou trainee will get critical class aid.
Cabo Spirit wins the California Crown John Henry Turf Championship at Santa Anita Park
Pink Barons Barn and Rancho Temesca’s Dicey Mo Chara stalked Cabo Spirit within the early phases of the John Henry earlier than ending fourth, overwhelmed two lengths. Coach Leonard Powell books Flavien Prat to trip for the primary time.
The recent hand getting into Friday belongs to Jonathan Thomas, who on Nov. 24 saddled Mrs. Astor to victory in Del Mar’s 1 3/8-mile Pink Carpet Stakes (G3T). The coach introduced one other Augustin Stables homebred with him to Del Mar in Really High quality , winner of the Oct. 5 Singspiel Stakes (G3T) at Woodbine.