Hong Kong Harry's late rally wins American Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. - Since a successful debut in a $7,900 allowance race at Redcar Racecourse in northern England in October 2020, Hong Kong Harry has consistently displayed a late rally that has carried him to the front more often than not.

On Sunday at Santa Anita, on a much grander stage, Hong Kong Harry won his graded stakes debut, and his seventh race in 10 starts, in the Grade 3 American Stakes at a mile on turf.

Ridden by Ramon Vazquez, Hong Kong Harry ($6) closed from fourth in the final three furlongs to win by three-quarters of a length over 28-1 Homer Screen. Hong Kong Harry was timed in 1:33.87 and earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 93.

Vazquez had Hong Kong Harry positioned on the rail before guiding the 5-year-old gelding toward the outside and between runners turning into the stretch.

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“He’s got a great turn of foot,” trainer Phil D’Amato said. “I loved where he was sitting the whole time. He looked loaded the whole way.”

Sent off favored, Hong Kong Harry led by a half-length with a furlong remaining.

“When I asked him in the last quarter-mile, I had a lot of horse,” Vazquez said.

Tarantino (22-1) finished third, beaten 1 3/4 lengths. Tripoli, the winner of the Grade 1 Pacific Classic at Del Mar last August, finished fourth at 7-1 in his first start since a seventh in the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Del Mar last November.

Restrainedvengence finished fifth, followed by Majestic Eagle, Ecrivain, Gregdar, Vanzzy and Kentucky Pharoah.

Hong Kong Harry was purchased for approximately $110,000 at the Tattersalls horses of racing age sale in England last fall. Hong Kong Harry races for the partnership of Scott Anastasi, Jimmy Ukegawa and Tony Valazza.

Hong Kong Harry is unbeaten in three starts in the United States. He won allowance races at 1 1/8 miles on turf on March 6 and April 16. Hong Kong Harry has earned $187,097 in his career, including $144,600 this year.

D’Amato said the Grade 2 Eddie Read Stakes at 1 1/8 miles on turf at Del Mar on July 31 is a summertime race goal for Hong Kong Harry, an Irish-bred by Es Que Love.

“He’s got a huge heart,” D’Amato said. “Hopefully he can keep going up the ladder.”