Conclude becomes the first stakes winner of the 2023 Del Mar meet (Benoit Photo)
Del Mar Press Release
DEL MAR, Calif.— Little Red Feather Racing, Madaket Stables and Brereton Jones’ Conclude, a Kentucky-bred son of 2017 Pacific Classic winner Collected, scored a smart length and a quarter victory in the Caesars Sportsbook Oceanside Stakes Friday at Del Mar as the seaside track kicked off its 2023 summer season.
The chestnut colt was handled by Hector Berrios and was saddled by Del Mar’s 2022 training kingpin, Phil D’Amato. This was D’Amato’s third victory in the one-mile turf race that has been the track’s traditional opening day headliner for many moons. For emphasis, D’Amato also saddled the second-place finisher, Michael House’s Classical Cat.
“He broke really well; perfect. I was in a good spot right away and when I took a hold, he just let me. We waited and waited and then when I asked him, he went for it. Perfect trip. It all worked out right,” remarked Berrios. The stakes win is the fifth overall for rider Berrios
Finishing third in the 78th edition of the $100 grander limited to 3-year-olds was Great Friends Stable or Davis’ Ah Jeez.
Conclude picked up a winner’s share of $60,000 for his third victory in his fifth start. He now has a bankroll of $179,600. He paid $11.40 to his backers in the crowd of 21,733.
“When he opened up a length or two at the top of the lane, I thought he was the horse. Classical Cat was coming on pretty good, but I think when Conclude felt him he just spurted out again. I’m proud of both my horses,” said D’Amato. The stakes win was the 45th for trainer D’Amato.
Conclude is out of a Proud Citizen mare named Believe You Can and was bred by part owner Jones.
The Oceanside is the first of a trio of Del Mar turf stakes for sophomores. Next comes the La Jolla Handicap on August 6, a Grade III test that runs at a mile and one-sixteenth and carries a $150,000 purse. The final leg of the threesome is the $300,000, Grade II Caesars Sportsbook Del Mar Derby, which is contested at a mile and one-eighth and will be presented on Sunday, September 3.
Racing resumes at Del Mar Saturday with first post at 2 p.m.
