Americanize a horse on the rise after Damascus Stakes win

DEL MAR, Calif. – Americanize won his stakes debut in Friday’s $200,345 Damascus Stakes at Del Mar and is improving so rapidly in the minds of his owner and trainer that he could have his graded stakes debut later this month.

In the seven-furlong Damascus, Americanize ($12) disputed the pace throughout and won by 2 1/4 lengths over Mr. Hinx, the 8-5 favorite. Mr. Hinx was vanned off after he pulled up on the first turn. Details of his condition were not immediately available.

Ridden by Rafael Bejarano, Americanize was timed in 1:21.73 for his second consecutive win. Americanize won a first-condition allowance race at Santa Anita on Oct. 7. In both races, he disputed the pace before pulling clear in the final furlong.

“Last time, when he engaged early, it worked for him,” trainer Simon Callaghan said. “He’s gotten confidence, and he’s gotten better. Rafael gets along great with him.”

Americanize dueled with Good Bye Greg through fractions of 22.02 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 44.39 for a half-mile. He led by a length over Mr. Hinx with a furlong remaining, an advantage that widened in the final sixteenth.

Mr. Hinx, who was second in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Sprint Championship on Oct. 7, finished a half-length in front of Loose On the Town, who was followed by Kobe’s Back, Good Bye Greg, and Leading Score.

Callaghan and owner Kaleem Shah said Americanize will be considered for the Grade 1 Cigar Mile at Aqueduct on Dec. 2.

A 4-year-old gelding by Concord Point, Americanize has won 3 of 9 starts and earned $235,545. He was trained by Bob Baffert at 2 and Doug O’Neill earlier this year before joining Callaghan’s stable in the spring.