A couple of hours after Gold Phoenix turned a three-peat in the Del Mar H. (G2), trainer Phil D’Amato celebrated another successful title defense when Motorious motored late in the $152,500 Green Flash H. (G3). The 2.30-1 favorite secured a berth in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1) over this same Del Mar course and five-furlong trip.
Later, Conclude capped the big day for the barn when topping the D’Amato exacta with Almendares in the $302,500 Del Mar Mile (G2).
Green Flash H. (G3)
Motorious, a luckless fifth as the favorite in last year’s Turf Sprint at Santa Anita, had lost both starts this season. A troubled seventh in the Twin Spires Turf Sprint (G2) on Kentucky Derby Day, the British import was fourth in a six-furlong allowance at Santa Anita on June 16.
But a change of venue to Del Mar’s Jimmy Durante turf course was all that Motorious needed to regain the winning thread. He’s now 3-for-3 there, an affinity that should serve him well in this year’s Breeders’ Cup. Note that he races for Anthony Fanticola, who co-owned D’Amato’s 2016 Turf Sprint hero Obviously.
As the filly Sassy Nature blazed through an opening quarter in :21.77, Motorious was anchored near the back by Antonio Fresu. No Nay Hudson, who stalked a couple of lengths off the early pace, was the first to strike with a good-looking move at the top of the lane. When No Nay Hudson strode clear and passed the half in :44.38, he looked gone.
But Motorious was just revving up on the outside. Delivering a torrid late kick, the Muhaarar gelding was along in time by a comfortable three-quarters of a length in :56.14.
Johnny Podres, last of the 10-horse field for most of the way, likewise surged in his wake for second. No Nay Hudson was relegated to third, followed by Daniel’s Magic, Fast Buck, Star Racer, Sassy Nature, Turn on the Jets, Unconquerable Keen, and Mo Gold. Connie Swingle was a vet scratch, and Noble Reflection was also withdrawn.
Motorious improved his scorecard to 19-7-4-2, $517,617. Aside from his Green Flash trophies, the bay captured the 2023 San Simeon (G3) and placed second in both the Clocker’s Corner S. and Twin Spires Turf Sprint last year.
Fresu sensed that the six-year-old was sitting on a big effort in the Green Flash.
“I was really happy with the way the horse was breezing the last few times,” the winning rider said. “When I read the race, I could see there was going to be a lot of speed, you know. So the plan was from the outside post try to save ground and plough forward. It worked out perfectly, so I couldn’t be happier about that.”
“It’s a good feeling,” D’Amato said. “This horse didn’t get things his own way starting off this year, and he came back to a turf course he really likes and got a nice setup and showed what he can do. You never know with these fractions what you’re going to get. She (Sassy Nature) just :21 and changed it, and at this meet it’s very fast.”
The Green Flash could well be a glimmer of how the Turf Sprint might develop.
Motorious hails from the extended family of Breeders’ Cup performers Lea and Grassy. Grade 1 winner Lea was runner-up in the 2015 Dirt Mile (G1), while multiple Grade 2 scorer Grassy was second in the 2012 Marathon (G2). Motorious has speedier elements to the forefront, with his dam being the multiple Group 3-placed Squash, a daughter of Pastoral Pursuits.
Del Mar Mile (G2)
Like Motorious, Conclude was rebounding in his third start of the season, thanks to a better setup.
Last year’s Del Mar Derby (G2) winner had been thrown into the cauldron of the Shoemaker Mile (G1) in his May 27 reappearance, and he wilted to 10th. Resurfacing in a more congenial spot in Del Mar’s restricted Wickerr S., Conclude dropped hopelessly far back early and gained late for fourth.
The Del Mar Mile at last served up the winning scenario, as Conclude used his tactical speed to maximum effect. Jockey Hector Berrios sent him straight to the lead through manageable fractions of :23.45, :47.14, and 1:10.72, and Conclude quickened clear in the stretch.
Although stablemate Almendares finished with a flourish and threatened to catch him, Conclude held on by a head. Astronomer also closed well for third, just a half-length back, and defending champion Du Jour showed late interest in fourth. Next came Lammas, 1.70-1 favorite First Peace, Exaulted, Irideo, Flashiest, and Halfway Line.
Co-owned by Little Red Feather Racing, Madaket Stables, and the Estate of Brereton C. Jones, his breeder, Conclude negotiated the mile in 1:34.05 and returned $12.20. His resume now reads 9-5-1-0, $546,100, including scores in last year’s Desert Code S. and Oceanside S.
It was fitting that Conclude won the finale on Pacific Classic Day, since his sire Collected starred in the 2017 edition of Del Mar’s signature race. The four-year-old chestnut was produced by Believe You Can, queen of the 2012 Kentucky Oaks (G1). The Proud Citizen mare is also responsible for Grade 3-placed stakes winner Believe in Royalty.
Other undercard races
Although Bob Baffert and Juan Hernandez were out of luck with Du Jour in the Del Mar Mile and Reincarnate in the Pacific Classic (G1), the trainer/jockey tandem did rack up three wins elsewhere on the card.
Juvenile filly Non Compliant won at first asking in the opener, three-year-old colt Ultra Power romped by seven lengths in an allowance, and Cicero Farms homebred Hope Road ran away with her two-turn debut in the $150,500 Torrey Pines (G3).
The 1-2 favorite, Hope Road bolted up by five lengths from fellow Baffert pupil Nothing Like You in a final time of 1:36.15 for one mile on the main track. The daughter of Quality Road and the Grade 1-winning Blame mare Marley’s Freedom sports a mark of 6-3-2-0, $198,020.
