Although his stablemate Masteroffoxhounds appeared to have Sunday's $200,000 San Marcos Stakes (G3) wrapped up, Irish-bred Prince Abama burst upon the scene in the shadow of the wire to prevail by a neck as Flavien Prat hoped to serve notice that his horrendous personal slump this winter at Santa Anita is history.
Trained by Phil D'Amato, Prince Abama, a 5-year-old Tamayuz gelding, got 1 1/4 miles in 2:01.42 on firm turf.
Midpack while under restraint and about three lengths off pacesetter Evan Harlan three furlongs from home, Prince Abama rallied five-deep through the lane and was up just in time as Prat notched his second stakes win and his eighth overall victory of the 18-day meet, with his first stakes win coming in Saturday's 10th and final race, the Thunder Road Stakes (G3).
“It is always great to get some winners,” said Prat. “I can't thank Phil enough for his support. He has been a great supporter of mine and I really appreciate it. I had a good trip, turning for home I had all my chances. I thought Masteroffoxhounds was going to be opening up and I was not going to be able to catch him, but my horse was really brave and (he) laid it down and did the job.”
Most recently fourth in the opening day San Gabriel Stakes (G2) at 1 1/8 miles on turf Dec. 26, Prince Abama was off at 5-1 in a field of 10 older horses and paid $12.60 for the win.
Owned by Michael House, Prince Abama registered his second graded stakes win, and with the winner's share of $120,000, his earnings increased to $459,553 while he improved his overall race record to 4-4-1 from 12 starts.
“He's a very consistent horse, he fires,” D'Amato said of Prince Abama, who was produced by the Mr. Greeley mare Abama Lady. “Last time he kind of got stuck on the inside and Flavien jumped off of him and said, 'I didn't give him my ideal trip.' This time he made it a point to get him in the clear. I thought Masteroffoxhounds was home free, but Flavien laid it down and Prince Abama got the job done.
“He was slowly making up ground late, but Masteroffoxhounds was in full flight, I thought it was going to be really close and he just got the job done late.”
Masteroffoxhounds, who tracked the leader in second position to the quarter pole, took charge straightening for home, opened up a two-length advantage with a sixteenth of a mile to run and just missed in a huge effort.
Ridden by Umberto Rispoli, Masteroffoxhounds was the 3-1 favorite and finished a half length in front of Opry.
Ridden by Frankie Dettori, Opry finished a neck better than D'Amato's Say the Word. D'Amato's fourth runner, French-bred Cash Equity, checked in last in the field of 1-.
Fractions on the race were :23.62, ;48.49, 1:14, and 1:37.61.
The post Prince Abama Upstages Favored Stablemate In San Marcos As Prat Signals Slump Is Over appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
