Amalfi Sunrise most impressive in debut win

ARCADIA, Calif. – No matter the vantage point, whether trackside or watching on a mobile phone 5,000 miles away, there was much to like about Amalfi Sunrise’s career debut in a maiden special weight race for 2-year-old fillies at Santa Anita on Sunday.

Amalfi Sunrise drew into the race from the also-eligible list and gave the most dazzling performance of a juvenile at the Santa Anita meeting, which ended on Sunday.

Ridden by Norberto Arroyo Jr. for trainer Simon Callaghan, Amalfi Sunrise ($4.20) disputed the pace with Save the Story, and took the lead in early stretch before drawing away to win by an eye-catching 6 1/4 lengths. Amalfi Sunrise was timed in 52.49 seconds for 4 1/2 furlongs and earned a strong Beyer Speed Figure of 88.

Save the Story held second, finishing 7 1/4 lengths in front of third-place Princess Mo.

Callaghan watched the race with family in Newmarket, England, having spent the last week at Royal Ascot. In a text message on Sunday, Callaghan said the objective was achieved on Sunday and that Amalfi Sunrise would run in the Grade 2 Sorrento Stakes for 2-year-old fillies at six furlongs at Del Mar on Aug. 3.

Callaghan has a stellar record with 2-year-old fillies at Del Mar in recent years, winning the Grade 1 Del Mar Debutante in 2017 with Moonshine Memories and last year with Bellafina. Bellafina won the Sorrento Stakes as a maiden in her second start.

Earlier on Sunday’s program, Pas de Panique won an eventful maiden special weight race at 4 1/2 furlongs.

Pas de Panique ($5.80) won by a nose over 9-10 favorite We’re Still Here, who finished a neck in front of Thanks Mr. Eidson. Fourth-place finisher Surveillance was beaten three-quarters of a length, but was lucky to stay upright after jockey Diego Sanchez attempted to move him in a tight spot on the rail that closed quickly. Surveillance clipped heels with Pas de Panique, who emerged from the race without mishap, trainer Mark Glatt said.

“It looked like he got hit a little bit,” Glatt said.

Glatt said Pas de Panique is a candidate for the $100,000 Graduation Stakes for 2-year-old California-breds at 5 1/2 furlongs at Del Mar on Aug. 2.

“If he bounces back, I think he’ll have a good chance in that race,” Glatt said.