Breeders' Cup Turf: D'Amato views Metaboss as live longshot
ARCADIA, Calif. – Twice in recent months, Metaboss has turned into the stretch of a Grade 2 turf marathon at a California track with the rest of the field in front of him.
In the Del Mar Handicap on Aug. 20, Metaboss caught all of his rivals but one, losing by a nose to Ashleyluvssugar. In the John Henry Turf Championship at Santa Anita on Oct. 2, Metaboss rallied to finish fourth, a length behind Ashleyluvssugar.
The thrilling style of his races encouraged trainer Phil D’Amato and the expansive partnership that owns the 4-year-old Metaboss to spend $100,000 in entry fees to see if that kick can be effective in the $4 million Breeders’ Cup Turf at Santa Anita next Saturday.
“We’re an outsider, but he’s got the turn of foot to compete with these horses,” D’Amato said.
Metaboss will be part of a strong international field in the BC Turf at 1 1/2 miles, the richest grass race in the United States. The race is led by the stakes winners Flintshire, Ectot, Highland Reel, and Mondialiste. Ashleyluvssugar is the best of the California-based runners, but Metaboss deserves his chance, D’Amato said.
“I’m looking forward to giving him a shot,” D’Amato said. “He came home like a lightning bolt.”
D’Amato, 40, has been the leading trainer in Southern California this year, winning titles at the Santa Anita winter-spring and spring-summer meetings, and the Del Mar summer meeting. D’Amato began training on his own in 2014, having previously worked as an assistant for Mike Mitchell, the all-time leading trainer at Del Mar. Mitchell retired in 2014 and died of the effects of a brain tumor in 2015.
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D’Amato was winless with four starters in Breeders’ Cup races in 2014-15. He has five runners this year. Aside from Metaboss, he plans to start Bowies Hero in the Juvenile Turf, Obviously in the Turf Sprint, Midnight Storm in the Mile, and Vyjack in the Dirt Mile. Vyjack was pre-entered for the Mile, but was not selected for the body of the field, leaving him likely to run in the Dirt Mile.
“I think my single-digit-odds horses will be Vyjack, Obviously, and Midnight Storm,” he said.
Metaboss will be a longshot, and one D’Amato says can produce a surprise.
“He’s got to give me that last quarter,” D’Amato said. “If he does that, he can compete with anyone.”