Trainer Phil D'Amato, who has become a dominant force on turf while relying heavily on Irish-bred imports, will send out likely post-time favorite Prince Abama, a 4-year-old Irish-bred gelding, in Monday's Grade 2 San Gabriel Stakes at Santa Anita in Arcadia, Calif. One of six graded stakes on an 11-race opening day card, the San Gabriel has attracted a field of seven 3-year-olds and up.
Twice second from as many tries at one mile on turf, Prince Abama comes off a three quarter-length win going 1 1/2 miles on grass in the G2 Hollywood Turf Cup at Del Mar Nov. 25, a race in which he sat a close second and won as best at odds of 5-2 with Flavien Prat up.
With Prat reengaged, Prince Abama, who is owned by Michael House, should be plenty tough to beat on Monday.
D'Amato will also saddle classy turf veteran Masteroffoxhounds, a neck winner going 1 1/4 miles in the G2 John Henry Turf Championship at Santa Anita two starts back on Oct. 1, just missed taking the G2 Seabiscuit Stakes in gate to wire fashion at Del Mar on Nov. 26, finishing third by a neck at 1 1/16 miles on grass under Mike Smith, who rides back in the San Gabriel.
Off the board in two tries at one mile on grass, Masteroffoxhounds, a 5-year-old full horse by War Front, is owned by Rockingham Ranch and is 20-4-3-4 overall.
A gate to wire winner of last year's San Gabriel, the George Papaprodromou-trained Bob and Jackie has been idle since well beaten over the course in the G1 Frank E. Kilroe Mile March 5. Owned by Calvin Nguyen and Joey Tran, Bob and Jackie, a 6-year-old full horse by Twirling Candy, will be handled by regular rider Jose Valdivia, Jr.
GRADE II SAN GABRIEL STAKES
WITH JOCKEYS & WEIGHTS IN POST POSITION ORDER
Race 3 of 11 Approximate post time 12 noon PT
- Rip City—Edwin Maldonado—121
- Masteroffoxhounds—Mike Smith—125
- Dicey Mo Chara—Juan Hernandez—121
- Go On—Mario Gutierrez—121
- Bob and Jackie—Jose Valdivia, Jr.—121
- Prince Abama—Flavien Prat—125
- Flashiest—Joel Rosario—121
Special early first post time for an 11-race card that includes six graded stakes is at 11 a.m. Admission gates open at 9 a.m.
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