Prince Earl surprises in Del Mar Mile

DEL MAR, Calif. – Trainer Phil D’Amato had three runners in the Del Mar Mile on Sunday, and it turned out he needed every one of them.

Bowies Hero was favored at 7-5 in the field of 10, What a View was the fourth choice, but it was his longest shot, 9-1 Prince Earl, who got the money with a late-running, rail-skimming ride under Geovanni Franco in the Grade 2, $201,755 race for older grass runners.

Prince Earl was set for his best despite not having raced since Dec. 1. He had to sit in traffic while sixth entering the lane, but Franco was patient, found a seam, and Prince Earl responded with a late burst to get up and beat Sharp Samurai by three-quarters of a length, with Grecian Fire a nose farther back in third.

Ohio was fourth, then came, in order, Bowies Hero, Majestic Eagle, What a View, Bolo, Double Touch, and El Picaro.

Prince Earl ($21.60) was timed in 1:33.13 for one mile on firm turf.

Prince Earl had not raced since finishing fourth in the Grade 1 Hollywood Derby here more than eight months ago. He was only making his fifth lifetime start. But he had trained so well on the comeback trail that D’Amato and owners Andrew Molasky and Todd Marshall decided to aim high.

“We thought a lot of him as a 3-year-old,” D’Amato said. “He had some unlucky trips. His last two races, he was in some pretty strong races.”

Prince Earl had time off to take out a bone chip, and for “a minor throat procedure,” D’Amato said.

“He came back with a vengeance,” he said. “He had been training very well. We decided to take a big swing here.”

Prince Earl, 4, is a California-bred gelding by Paddy O’Prado who originally was purchased as a yearling for $25,000.

He now owns three wins in five starts, and the $120,000 he earned on Sunday was more than he had made in his four prior starts combined.

D’Amato said he’d like to get Prince Earl into the Breeders’ Cup Mile on Nov. 2 at Santa Anita, and hopes the win on Sunday will be looked upon favorably should he need a committee’s nod to get in. To further enhance his credentials, he likely will race next in the City of Hope Mile on Oct. 5 at Santa Anita.