Kensington Lane transferred to D’Amato, points to Del Mar Oaks

Kensington Lane, winner of Saturday’s Grade 1 Belmont Oaks at Saratoga, will remain in America and make her next start in the Grade 1 Del Mar Oaks on Aug. 22, her connections announced Monday.

Kensington Lane will be transferred to the barn of Phil D’Amato, according to a post on the X account of Medallion Racing, which is part-owner of the 3-year-old filly.

Trained by Donnacha O’Brien in Ireland, Kensington Lane had won 3 of 9 starts, including the Group 3 EBF Athasi Stakes on May 4 at The Curragh.

Following a fifth-place finish in the Irish 1000 Guineas on May 24, Kensington Lane came to the United States seeking a North American Grade 1 victory. In the Belmont Oaks, she took over the lead around the first turn under Joel Rosario and led the remainder of the way, coming home 1 3/4 lengths in front of Faithful Departed. Kensington Lane earned a 92 Beyer Speed Figure.

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On Sunday, her connections said the options for Kensington Lane’s next race included the Del Mar Oaks or a return trip to O’Brien in Ireland where Kensington Lane would have likely been prepared to face older fillies and mares in a race like the Group 1 Prix Jean Romanet at 1 1/4 miles on Aug. 23 at Deauville and/or the Group 1 Matron on Sept. 12 at Leopardstown.

“We are very appreciative to Donnacha and his entire team at Bawnmore Racing!” the Medallion X post read. “He is a huge part of our team and we will continue to support him.”

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