Vyjack makes West Coast debut in Wickerr

DEL MAR, Calif. – Vyjack, who made the first 25 starts of his career in the Eastern time zone, makes his first start on this circuit and for trainer Phil D’Amato in the $75,000-added Wickerr Stakes, the supporting feature on Saturday’s card.

Vyjack, 6, most recently was second in the Grade 3 Red Bank at Monmouth, his sixth start for Bill Mott, who took over from Rudy Rodriguez. D’Amato was sent Vyjack in mid-June. Vyjack worked three times at Santa Anita before heading to Del Mar.

“He’s ready to go,” D’Amato said.

The Wickerr, at one mile on turf for 3-year-olds and up, is a restricted stakes race, but Vyjack fits the conditions because he has not won a stakes race since capturing the Grade 2 Kelso at Belmont Park in September 2014. He is a three-time graded stakes winner, having captured the Grade 2 Jerome and Grade 3 Gotham at Aqueduct at age 3.

D’Amato was also expected to run Toowindytohaulrox, second in the Siren Lure down the hillside course at Santa Anita last time out in his first start in nearly six months.

Others expected for the Wickerr include A Red Tie Day, Forever Juanito, Lieutenant Colonel, Little Curlin, Power Ped, and Texas Ryano. El Huerfano and Itsinthepost are possible.