Kung Fu Mambo wins U.S. debut after 2 1/2-year layoff

ARCADIA, Calif. – More than 2 1/2 years after his last start, Kung Fu Mambo won his American debut in an optional claimer at a mile Thursday, a win that left trainer Peter Miller considering a start July 25 in the $200,000 San Diego Handicap at Del Mar.

Kung Fu Mambo, a 6-year-old Argentine-bred, won the Group 1 Derby Nacional in Peru in 2012 in his final start in South America. He was beset with injuries that postponed his American debut until Thursday. Ridden by Mike Smith, Kung Fu Mambo ($33.20) led throughout and won by 4 1/4 lengths over the 3-year-old Desert Dynamo.

“I didn’t know what to expect,” Miller said. “He showed what I believed he was – a legitimate horse. He came here and got injured and needed a lot of time. It’s been one thing after another.”

Kung Fu Mambo races for Oscar Pena’s Dona Licha stable, which has several runners in California with Miller. Kung Fu Mambo, by Giant’s Causeway, has won 3 of 7 starts. The Derby Nacional at 1 1/2 miles on dirt is his lone stakes win.

** Active Hall of Fame jockeys Mike Smith and Gary Stevens will be honored for their contributions to racing by the Edwin J. Gregson Foundation during a charity dinner Aug. 3 at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar in San Diego.

The Gregson Foundation supports backstretch education for workers and their families through college scholarship grants, computer courses, and courses in English as a second language. The foundation, which is hosting its 15th fund-raising dinner, is named in honor of the late trainer who won the 1982 Kentucky Derby with Gato Del Sol. Tickets are $300 per person. For information, visit gregsonfoundation.com.