DEL MAR, Calif. - More often than not, Conclude is too tough to beat at Del Mar. After winning the Oceanside Stakes and Grade 2 Del Mar Derby last summer, Conclude won the summer season’s richest race for turf milers in Saturday’s Grade 2 Del Mar Mile. Ridden by Hector Berrios, Conclude ($12.20) led throughout and held off a furious late run from 9-1 Almendares to win by a head. Conclude was timed in 1:34,05 and earned a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 100. The first two finishers are trained by Phil D’Amato, who won three graded stakes on turf on Saturday. Earlier in the day, D’Amato won the Grade 2 Del Mar Handicap with Gold Phoenix, for the third consecutive year, and the Grade 3 Green Flash Handicap for sprinters with Motorious for the second consecutive year. “These are the days you work for,” D’Amato said as he left the winner’s circle, surrounded by a group of jubilant clients and friends. :: DRF's Del Mar Handicapping Packages: Get everything you need to play the races with confidence. Conclude won three stakes last year, including the Desert Code Stakes for turf sprinters at Santa Anita, by leading or stalking the pace, and took a forward position in the first few strides of Saturday’s $302,500 Del Mar Mile. Starting from post 8 in a field of 10, Conclude held a half-length advantage over 30-1 Exaulted through an early pace of 23.45 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 47.14 for a half-mile. “The plan was to have him 1, 2 or 3,” D’Amato said. “He broke so good. It ended up being the right decision.” Berrios said the trailing runners posed a brief threat on the backstretch. “He had pressure at the half-mile pole,” Berrios said. “When they moved, he responded.” Conclude led by 1 1/2 lengths with a furlong remaining and needed the advantage to remain in front. Almendares, third in the 2023 Del Mar Derby, closed from seventh, but ran out of ground. Almendares finished a half-length in front of 8-1 Astronomer, who closed well on the rail. “We got a good trip,” said Simon Callaghan, who trains Astronomer. “The winner got a perfect trip.” Du Jour, winner of the 2023 Del Mar Mile, finished fourth, followed by Lammas, First Peace, Exaulted, Irideo, Flashiest and Halfway Line. Astronomer, Conclude and Almendares were second, fourth and fifth in the restricted Wickerr Stakes at Del Mar on July 21. The Wickerr is Conclude’s only loss in four appearances at Del Mar. Conclude races for the partnership of Little Red Feather Racing, Madaket Stable and the family of the late Brereton Jones. A 4-year-old colt by Collected, Conclude has won 5 of 9 starts and earned $546,100. The win moves Conclude closer to a possible start in the Breeders’ Cup Mile at Santa Anita on Nov. 2. Aside from D’Amato, Saturday was a big day for the Little Red Feather Racing partnership. They also co-own Gold Phoenix and Balnikhov, who was second in the Del Mar Handicap. :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.