Easter to bypass Del Mar Mile for City of Hope

Easter, the winner of two Grade 2 stakes last fall but winless in three starts this year, has been held out of Saturday’s Grade 2 Del Mar Mile on turf and is scheduled to have his next start in the Grade 2 City of Hope Mile on turf at Santa Anita on Sept. 28.

Trainer Phil D’Amato said the decision was based on Easter’s running style, which he thinks may be better suited to Santa Anita’s turf course.

“His style is he comes from behind,” D’Amato said. “The Del Mar turf course, to me, has been a little speed-favoring. I think he’ll get to Santa Anita and that will help him out best.”

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Easter closed from last of nine in the final furlong to finish fifth by 3 1/2 lengths in the Grade 2 Eddie Read Stakes at 1 1/8 miles on turf at Del Mar on July 28.

Johannes, winner of the Eddie Read and two other graded stakes at a mile on turf at Santa Anita in the spring, is also absent from the $300,000 Del Mar Mile in favor of the $200,000 City of Hope Mile.

The winner of the City of Hope Mile earns a fees-paid berth to the Breeders’ Cup Mile at Del Mar on Nov. 2.

D’Amato will still have as many as three runners in the Del Mar Mile with Almendares, Conclude and Halfway Line. Other expected runners are Astronomer, Du Jour, Exaulted, First Peace, Flashiest, Irideo, and Lammas.

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