D'Amato sends trio in bid to continue dominance in Seabiscuit Handicap

The depth of trainer Phil D’Amato’s turf stable in California is showcased every autumn in the Grade 2 Seabiscuit at Del Mar, a race D’Amato has won five of the last nine years.

After finishing 1-2-3 last year, D’Amato seeks another Seabiscuit trifecta on Saturday. He starts vastly improved Almendares, 2023 Seabiscuit winner Easter, and longshot Masteroffoxhounds. To win the Seabiscuit, the D’Amato trio must turn back the deepest turf stable in New York.

Chad Brown trains Redistricting, unlucky runner-up in his Aqueduct comeback and unfortunate last year on Del Mar turf. In last year’s Grade 1 Hollywood Derby, Redistricting was pulled up and did not start for 10 months. Off a sharp comeback, Redistricting is the 3-1 program favorite.

Twelve older horses entered the 1 1/16-mile Seabiscuit, race 7, including Grade 2 winner Seal Team and his stakes-winning stablemate Sumter. Mi Hermano Ramon seeks an upset after an improved effort second start back, while Astronomer has flirted with top company.

None are faster than Almendares, whose runner-up finishes in recent Grade 2 races suggest he is D’Amato’s best chance on Saturday. The trainer does not agree with the weight assignment, and bettors may have to settle for less than his 4-1 program price.

“I think the weight assignments are pretty ridiculous,” D’Amato said. “For a horse that’s never won a graded stake to be 123 [top weight] and [Redistricting] 119, I thought was ridiculous.”

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What’s not ridiculous is the gelding’s sharp form, runner-up two back at Del Mar, and runner-up to subsequent Breeders’ Cup Mile second finisher Johannes last out. If he repeats either, Almendares and jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. figure to win the Seabiscuit.

Easter is less conspicuous; he finished off the board in his last three.

“He lost his way a little bit, maybe because of the [Grade 1] races I was picking in the middle of the year,” D’Amato said. “But his last race was better than looked, and he galloped out past them all.”

Easter is 8-1 under Antonio Fresu.

Masteroffoxhounds, a Grade 2 winner, broke slowly and lost his chance last out. D’Amato called the race “more of a workout” and said Masteroffoxhounds “came out of the race exceptionally well and breezed exceptional [Nov. 24] at Del Mar on the turf course.” Masteroffoxhounds is 15-1 under Frankie Dettori.

Brown-trained Redistricting returns to the Del Mar course, where he was pulled up a year ago. The setback led to a 10-month layoff and trepidation about returning to Del Mar.

“I was hesitant, but I’m going to give it a go again,” Brown said. “I think that’s all behind him. He’s just been doing so well, and there’s a lack of options for him.”

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Redistricting was blocked into and through the stretch last out in the Grade 3 Knickerbocker at Aqueduct. He missed by a neck while tons best. Redistricting will use the Seabiscuit as a bridge to the Grade 1, $1 million Pegasus World Cup Turf on Jan. 25 at Gulfstream Park. Flavien Prat rides Redistricting.

The field also includes likely pacesetter Fast Buck, sharp allowance winner Zio Jo, St Anthony, and Cabo Spirit.

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