Motorious victorious once again in the Green Flash (Benoit Photo)
Del Mar Press Release
DEL MAR, Calif. — Anthony Fanticola’s Motorious was trying for his third straight score in the Grade III Green Flash Handicap. He pulled it off, but needed help from the three stewards on the Del Mar roof.
The now 7-year-old gelding came firing through the lane on the far outside and missed by a long nose at the wire to Alex and JoAnn Lieblong’s Reef Runner, who came rolling up along the rail. But the stewards, after a long look, determined that Reef Runner had tightened up Motorious come away from the gate and cost him the victory. They reversed the order.
Motorious picked up a check for $90,000 from the Green Flash total purse of $153,500 pushing his earnings to $957,604.
The speedy veteran by the British stallion Muhaarar was winning the 10th race of his career in his 23 start. He was ridden by regular rider Antonio Fresu and continues to be conditioned by Phil D’Amato.
Finishing third in the grass dash was C R K Stable’s Beyond Brilliant, who was a length behind the top pair.
Final time for the “Flash” was :55.90 and the winner returned $5.60 for $2 as the race favorite.
ANTONIO FRESU (Motorious, winner)— “If that had not happened at the start, he would have won by two (lengths). It’s a five-furlong race, and I lost so many lengths. I checked him pretty hard. When I pulled him out, the way he finished from the quarter pole to the wire, it was impressive. He just put it in another gear. Usually when this happens in a race at this distance, they never come back like that. I was sure that I might not have won it at the wire.”
PHIL D’AMATO (MOTORIOUS, winner) — “A pretty remarkable performance. You know, getting shut off there flat footed, and to make that kind of run is pretty impressive. Hats off to Antonio (Fresu) for staying in there. The horse is just a heart of gold. We are going to follow the same plan as last year and wait till the Breeders’ Cup and try and do it again.”
FRACTIONS: :21.41 :44.06 :55.90
The stakes win was the second of the meet for rider Fresu and his second (2024) in the Green Flash. He now has 12 stakes wins at Del Mar.
The stakes win was the fifth of the meeting for trainer D’Amato and his third (all with Motorious) in the Green Flash. He now has 70 stakes wins at Del Mar.
The winning owner is Anthony Fanticola is from Newport Coast, CA.
