Michael House's Prince Abama stalked the leader for the first portion of the 12-furlong Hollywood Turf Cup (G2) Friday at Del Mar, took over the lead at the mile marker, then simply outran his six rivals for a three-quarter length win.
The 4-year-old Irish-bred gelding by the Tamayuz earned a first prize of $150,000 for taking the $250,000 feature and pushed his lifetime earnings up to $327,553 with his third victory in his 10th career start.
Prince Abama was ridden by Flavien Prat, who was tallying his fourth winner of the afternoon. The chestnut is trained by Phil D'Amato, who was capturing the race for the second year in a row. He took it last year with the 6-year-old Say the Word.
Finishing second in Friday's affair was The Grey Wizard, who was a head better than third-place finisher Avenue. Favorite Dicey Mo Chara was never a factor in a fourth-place finish.
Prince Abama paid $7.60.
HOLLYWOOD TURF CUP STAKES QUOTES
JOCKEY FLAVIEN PRAT (Prince Abama, winner) – “We (he and trainer Phil D'Amato) thought that he was tactical enough that I could put him right in the race. It turned out true. He ran well and finished up like we hoped. In these long races you need a horse that can handle the distance. Our horse could today.”
TRAINER PHIL D'AMATO (Prince Abama, winner) – “Flavien (ride Prat) made the right move at the right time. He sensed that the pace was ultra slow when that three horse was on the lead. He decided at the five-eighths pole, he wanted to be on the lead and that was the winning move. He (Prince Abama) has just matured and got better.”
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