King of Gosford broke sharply under Umberto Rispoli, made the lead early and stayed there all the way to win the Wickerr Stakes by 1 1/4 lengths at Del Mar. (© Benoit Photo)
Del Mar Press
Race favorite King of Gosford broke smartly under rider Umberto Rispoli, made the lead early and managed to stay there all the way around in the 37th edition of the Wickerr Stakes Sunday at Del Mar.
The 5-year-old horse by the Australian sire Zoustar picked up the eighth victory of his career and earned a first prize of $60,000 for taking down honors by a length and a quarter in the $131,000 mile on the turf. He now sports a bankroll of $822,192 and is a likely candidate for a next stop in Del Mar’s $300,000, Grade II Del Mar Mile on grass on Saturday, August 22 as part of the big Pacific Classic Day card at the seaside track.
King of Gosford is owned by a collection of horse folk including the Benowitz Family Trust, CYBT or Nentwig and Jeremy Peskoff. He’s trained by veteran Phil D’Amato, who was registering his third score in the Wickerr. The horse ran the mile in 1:34.48 and paid $4.80.
Finishing second was Paula and Tracy Henline’s Twirling Point, who had a head on Dutch Girl Holdings, Irving Ventures, et al’s Artislas.
Del Mar will now go dark for the next three days, then return to racing on Thursday with first post slated for 2 p.m.
UMBERTO RISPOLI (King of Gosford, winner ) – “When the speed horse next to me at the break stumbled, I said ‘Ah’. I put my horse on the lead and he went well from there. I haven’t ridden this horse in two years, and I know he can be a little funny, but he was fine today. At the top of the lane I asked him and he a good kick home.”
PHIL D’AMATO (King of Gosford, winner) – “Our plan was to stalk but he broke really sharp and Umberto didn’t see anyone else wanting the lead and that’s what good riders do, he called an audible. I loved where we were sitting every step of the way. This is exactly what we needed — a confidence booster. Get him a win just like we were with him last year and I feel good going into the Del Mar Mile.”
FRACTIONS: :23.85 :47.92 1:11.79 1:23.30 1:34.48
The stakes win was the second of the meet for rider Rispoli and the first for trainer D’Amato.
The stakes win was #48 for rider Rispoli at Del Mar, but his first in the Wickerr.
The stakes win was #75 for trainer D’Amato at Del Mar, but his third in the Wickerr.
The winning owners are the partnership of Benowitz Family Trust, CYBT or Nentwig, et al.
