A close fourth in last year's running, Phil D'Amato's classy English-bred gelding Gregorian Chant heads a field of nine 3-year-olds and up going about 6 ½ furlongs down Santa Anita's hillside turf course in Saturday's Grade 2, $200,000 Eddie D Stakes.
A fast finishing second in his most recent start going one mile on turf in the restricted Wickerr Stakes July 24 at Del Mar, Gregorian Chant has five wins from 11 starts down Santa Anita's unique hillside layout, including victory in the G3 San Simeon Stakes nine starts back on March 13, 2021.
A fresh horse at age six, Gregorian Chant has a pair of bullet works for his return over Santa Anita's inner training track, a 46.80 half mile on Sept. 19, which was best of 40 at the distance and a sizzling five furlongs in :58.60 on Sept. 25.
Owned by Old Bones Racing, LLC, Slam Dunk Racing and Michael Nentwig, Gregorian Chant will be ridden back by Umberto Rispoli.
D'Amato will also send out Irish-bred Coulthard, who is part of a wide-open cast that could contend for the minors. On the improve, Coulthard rallied for an impressive half length win two starts back in a five furlong second condition turf allowance July 30.
Dismissed at 24-1 in the G3 Green Flash Handicap at five eighths on turf Sept. 4, he battled gamely to be third, beaten 1 ¼ lengths and will be ridden for the third consecutive time by Ramon Vazquez. Owned by Jay and Julie Manoogian, Coulthard is a 4-year-old gelding who is winless in four previous tries down the hill.
The Eddie D is named in honor of one of racing's all-time greats, retired Hall of Fame jockey Eddie Delahoussaye.
THE GRADE 2, $200,000 EDDIE D STAKES WITH JOCKEYS & WEIGHTS IN POST POSITION ORDER
Race 7 of 10 – Approximate post time 3:30 p.m. PT.
- Lane Way—Mike Smith—122
- Air Force Red—Victor Espinoza—122
- Goliad—Juan Hernandez—122
- Gregorian Chant—Umberto Rispoli—122
- Coulthard—Ramon Vazquez—122
- Barristan The Bold—Edwin Maldonado—122
- Whatmakessammyrun—Joe Bravo—122
- Dubai Key—Hector Berrios—122
- Tango Tango Tango—Kyle Frey–122
First post time on Saturday for a 10-race card that includes five other stakes, is at 12:30 p.m.
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