Little Red Feather Racing, Madaket Stables and Brereton Jones' Conclude, a Kentucky-bred son of 2017 Pacific Classic winner Collected, scored a smart 1 1/4-length victory in the Caesars Sportsbook Oceanside Stakes Friday at Del Mar as the seaside track north of San Diego, Calif., kicked off its 2023 summer season.
The chestnut colt was handled by Hector Berrios and was saddled by Del Mar's 2022 training kingpin, Phil D'Amato. This was D'Amato's third victory in the one-mile turf race that has been the track's traditional opening day headliner for many moons. For emphasis, D'Amato also saddled the second-place finisher, Michael House's Classical Cat.
Finishing third in the 78th edition of the hundred-grander limited to 3-year-olds was Great Friends Stable or Davis' Ah Jeez.
Conclude picked up a winner's share of $60,000 for his third victory in his fifth start. He now has a bankroll of $179,600. He paid $11.40 to his backers in the crowd of 21,733.
Conclude is out of a Proud Citizen mare named Believe You Can and was bred by part owner Jones, who stands Collected at his Airdrie Stud.
The Oceanside is the first of a trio of Del Mar turf stakes for sophomores. Next comes the La Jolla Handicap on August 6, a Grade 3 test that runs at 1 1/16 miles and carries a $150,000 purse. The final leg of the threesome is the $300,000, Grade 2 Caesars Sportsbook Del Mar Derby, which is contested at 1 1/8 miles and will be presented on Sunday, September 3.
Racing resumes at Del Mar Saturday with first post at 2 p.m.
HECTOR BERRIOS (Concude, winner) – “He broke really well; perfect. I was in a good spot right away and when I took a hold, he just let me. We waited and waited and then when I asked him he went for it. Perfect trip. It all worked out right.”
PHIL D'AMATO (Conclude, winner) – “When he opened up a length or two at the top of the lane I thought he was the horse. Classical Cat was coming on pretty good but I think when Conclude felt him he just spurted out again. I'm proud of both my horses.
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