Gold Phoenix wins yet another edition of the Del Mar Handicap (Benoit Photo)
Del Mar Press Release
DEL MAR, Calif. — Little Red Feather Racing, Agave Racing Stable and partners’ veteran Gold Phoenix did something that has never been done before at Del Mar – he won a stakes race for the fourth straight time.
The race was the Del Mar Handicap, a mile and three eighths on the turf, and the 7-year-old gelding put in his standard late run and got up by a neck in the $302,000 feature that closed out a five-stakes day at the seaside oval.
Flavien Prat piloted the winner for trainer Phil D’Amato, who has a fairly amazing record of his own when it comes to the Del Mar ‘Cap. This is the trainer’s ninth victory in the marathon.
Gold Phoenix, by the Irish stallion Belardo, ran the distance in 2:16.09 and returned $6.20 as the betting favorite in the nine-horse field.
Finishing second was Bruns Racing and partners’ Stay Not, who had a head on John M.B. O’Connor’s Atitlan.
FLAVIEN PRAT (Gold Phoenix, winner) — “Today he broke pretty sharply, so he was a little closer to the pace than he usually is. But I was able to have him relax and save ground. When I asked him to run, he gave me his usual strong finish in the stretch. He was between horses nearing the wire and I think that helped him keep going strong to the wire. I was pretty sure we won the race.“
PHIL D’AMATO (Gold Phoenix, winner) – “I thought we had it and then I thought we didn’t have it and then at the end he surged again. But that’s what makes this horse so great. He’s got a big heart and intestinal fortitude and Flavien got every inch out of him. He is the epitome of fine wine. He gets better with age. It’s just fun (winning the Del Mar Handicap four years in a row). That’s what we’re in the business for, to have moments like this.”
FRACTIONS: :25.05 :50.89 1:16.51 1:40.49 2:04.26 2:16.09
The stakes win was the second of the meet for rider Prat and his fourth in the Del Mar Handicap. He now has 101 stakes wins at Del Mar, tied for fourth-most (with Gary Stevens) for most stakes wins at the track.
The stakes win was the sixth of the meet for trainer D’Amato and his ninth in the Del Mar Handicap. He now has 71 stakes wins at Del Mar.
The winning owners are part of the group headed by Little Red Feather Racing.
