Danas Best makes U.S. debut in turf route
DEL MAR, Calif. – Mike Mitchell, Del Mar’s all-time winningest trainer, died earlier this year, but his legacy lives on Thursday at Del Mar. Mitchell’s former assistant Phil D’Amato and son-in-law Craig Rounsefell team with Danas Best, an Australian import who makes his first United States start in the featured seventh race.
D’Amato is off to a strong start at Del Mar. He is tied for third in the standings after the first two weeks of the meet, with four wins from 14 starts. Rounsefell, an Australian who operates Boomer Bloodstock, has been responsible for the acquisition of several overseas runners who excelled in the U.S., such as multiple Grade 1 winner Obviously.
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Danas Best began his career in Australia, but was brought here earlier this year following a win in January at Randwick. Rounsefell arranged the private sale.
“When he won last time, he bled over there,” D’Amato said.
Lasix is not allowed in Australia, but is here, and D’Amato said Danas Best will be treated with Lasix for Thursday’s race.
Of bigger concern to D’Amato, though, is the distance of 1 1/16 miles on turf. “He probably wants to go longer,” D’Amato said.
Ten older runners are entered in the $78,000 classified allowance race, but the field is limited to nine starters because the turf rails are set at 30 feet, narrowing the course. That rail setting also could impact the way the race unfolds, as there is not much speed in the race, and it usually is of benefit to be forwardly placed with the rails so far out.
KEY CONTENDERS
Danas Best
◗ D’Amato said he intended to run Danas Best at Santa Anita, “but he caught a little bug, and we lost some time.”
“Now he’s getting back in the swing of things,” said D’Amato, who employs the meet’s co-leading rider, Flavien Prat.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 7 Danas Best. Trainer Phil D’Amato is 15-6-1-3 with a $4.46 ROI over the past five years in turf routes in the first start following a trainer switch. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
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Power Ped (Last 3 Beyers: 86-97-95)
◗ He is being wheeled back just 12 days after finishing fourth in the Grade 1 Eddie Read.
◗ This is a far softer spot, and he has done well on short turnarounds in the past. He won a stakes race at Turf Paradise earlier this year when racing back in 14 days.
Boyett (Last 3 Beyers: 79-81-78)
◗ Although his two races this year since returning from a seven-month layoff have been below par, there are reasons to believe he can perk up today. He is returning to turf, his favorite surface, and he appears to have the best speed in a fairly paceless race.
Draw Two (Last 3 Beyers: 60-94-88)
◗ He has been off for more than a year, and likely is using this as a prep for the 1 3/8-mile Del Mar Handicap next month. But he did win at this distance off a layoff, albeit on yielding turf, in May 2013.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 1 Point Piper. Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer is 30-1-7-2 with a $0.12 ROI over the past five years in turf races with Mike Smith aboard. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan