D'Amato could run five in Del Mar Handicap.
Trainer Phil D’Amato has won six of the last seven runnings of the Grade 2 Del Mar Handicap, starting one horse each of the last two years and three in 2018.
Saturday, D’Amato has a more aggressive approach in mind for the leading distance turf race of the track’s summer meeting. As of Monday, D’Amato planned to have three runners – Acclimate, Red King, and Say the Word – and perhaps as many as five with Ready Soul and Red Storm Risen under strong consideration.
“All options are open,” he said.
D’Amato said Ready Soul and Red Storm Risen have options in allowance races in coming weeks.
The winner of the $300,000 Del Mar Handicap at 1 3/8 miles will earn a fees-paid berth to the Breeders’ Cup Turf here on Nov. 6. That is a lure that gives D’Amato a good excuse to send a large and deep team.
“When it’s a Win and You’re In Breeders’ Cup race for good money, it’s definitely worth taking a swing,” he said. “Those horses are thriving right now.”
Having as many as five runners could lead to a few hectic moments in the paddock, getting everyone saddled.
“I’ve got good help,” D’Amato said.
Acclimate won the 2019 Del Mar Handicap and the Grade 3 San Juan Capistrano Stakes at about 1 3/4 miles at Santa Anita on June 19 in his most recent start.
“By design, he’ll be fresh and show his speed,” D’Amato said.
Red King is winless in six starts since a victory in the 2020 Del Mar Handicap. Red King was third in the San Juan Capistrano and later fifth in the Grade 3 Cougar II Stakes at 1 1/2 miles on dirt at Del Mar on July 18.
“I’m glad I ran him on the dirt,” D’Amato said. “I’ve trained him to be fresh and he’s full of himself.”
Say the Word, the winner of the Grade 2 Elkhorn Stakes at 1 1/2 miles at Keeneland in April, was seventh by 3 1/2 lengths to United in the Grade 2 Eddie Read Stakes at 1 1/8 miles here on July 24.
“The Eddie Read went so slow,” D’Amato said. “He galloped out like a freight train.”
United and the multiple stakes winner Arklow are the two leading contenders in the Del Mar Handicap, one of five graded stakes on the richest day of the summer meeting. Monday, United worked five furlongs in 1:00.60.
The Grade 1 Pacific Classic, a $1 million race at 1 1/4 miles, is Saturday’s top race. The expected field of eight includes Cupid’s Claws, Dr Post, Express Train, Magic on Tap, Royal Ship, Sheriff Brown, Tizamagician, and Tripoli.
Royal Ship, third behind Express Train and Tripoli in the Grade 2 San Diego Handicap at 1 1/16 miles on July 17, worked a half-mile in 47.60 seconds on Monday.