Easter scores in the San Gabriel (Ernie Belmonte/Past The Wire)
Mike Willman/Santa Anita Press Box
ARCADIA, Calif.— Heavily favored at 3-5, Phil D’Amato’s French-bred Easter tipped five-wide turning for home en route to a powerful 1 ¼ length victory in Tuesday’s Grade II, $200,000 San Gabriel Stakes, one of six graded events on Santa Anita’s Classic Meet opening day.
Ridden by Antonio Fresu, Easter was under a snug hold down the backside, last by about four lengths passing the half mile pole and despite the fact Frankie Dettori had carved out a moderate early pace aboard Eastern Ocean, Easter was simply too much, as he ran up his third consecutive stakes victory, getting a mile and one eighth on turf in 1:47.60.
A gutty half length winner of the Grade II Seabiscuit Handicap going a mile and one sixteenth on turf at Del Mar Nov. 25, Easter dominated the wagering versus five rivals aged three and up and paid $3.40, $2.40 and $2.10.
A 5-year-old gelding making his second start for D’Amato raced almost exclusively through five starts in New York this year for trainer Graham Motion. Easter, owned by Madaket Stables, LLC, picked up $120,000 for the win, increasing his earnings to $567,910 while improving his overall mark to 19-7-3-3.
Ridden by Irad Ortiz, Jr., Missed the Cut raced as a team with Easter to the far turn and finished well to be second, a nose in front of Tio Magico. Off at 4-1, Missed the Cut paid $3.60 and $2.60.
The second choice at 7-2 with Flavien Prat, Tio Magico, who is also conditioned by D’Amato, got the jump on his stablemate turning for home but was no match for him late as he checked in third and paid $2.40 to show.
Fractions on the race were 24.64, 48.76, 1:12.66 and 1:36.21.
GRADE II, $200,000 SAN GABRIEL STAKES QUOTES
JOCKEY QUOTES
ANTONIO FRESU, EASTER, WINNER: “This horse was fantastic in the final eighth. I was a little concerned about the pace because we only had six horses. He was really relaxed today and I took him to the outside in the last quarter. I tapped him once and he really quickened. I’m really happy with his performance. He is not an easy horse to trainer or to ride, but I really think there is a lot more there.”
TRAINER QUOTES
PHIL D’AMATO, EASTER, WINNER: “Antonio (Fresu) said he broke out of the gate a little more lethargic than normal. He got in a good stride down the backside and thought he was going to come with a run, luckily it worked out. For a Euro he is a really good size, he’s just a horse to me, he has a ton of talent. They didn’t go that fast early, for him to just come from behind and make that big looping move and not look back, he just flew home.
“I think two things helped today, when he won under Graham (Motion) he got his confidence up. We also learned that he liked the firmer turf courses over here. Between those two things and getting to know his quirks, he is a very quirky horse and just knowing what he likes to do and just keep him happy. I think hopefully skies the limit.
NOTES: The winning owner is Madaket Stables, LLC.
