As a Southern California native and lifelong horse racing fan, trainer Phil D'Amato is well-versed in the history of the Santa Anita Handicap (G1). On Saturday, he gets a chance to etch his own name in the record book when he saddles top contender Newgrange in the 86th running of the 1 ¼-mile race.
“It would be great,” D'Amato said of winning a Santa Anita Handicap. “This is a race I've always watched over the years. To compete in it with a horse I think has a legitimate chance makes it all the better.”
A former assistant to the late Mike Mitchell, D'Amato went out on his own in 2014 and has proceeded to build one of the most powerful stables in Southern California. With a heavy focus on turf horses, D'Amato's only previous starter in the Big 'Cap came in 2017 when Midnight Storm finished second to Shaman Ghost.
Newgrange figures among the leading contenders for Saturday's Santa Anita Handicap. The 4-year-old Violence colt prepped for the Big Cap with a one-length victory in the San Pasqual (G2) on Jan. 28 at Santa Anita. He is a perfect 3-for-3 at Santa Anita.
Newgrange had his final tune-up for the Big 'Cap on Thursday when working four furlongs in :49 . The drill, which came just four days after Newgrange worked six furlongs in 1:13.20, was moved up to stay ahead of a severe winter storm forced training to be canceled on both Friday and Saturday.
“It was a nice easy drill before the rain,” said D'Amato, a 46-year-old native of San Pedro, Calif. “As for the weather, I look at it this way: it's affecting us all the same way. We're all in the same situation.”
In the Big 'Cap, Newgrange will be ridden for the first time by Frankie Dettori. Juan Hernandez, who was aboard in the San Pasqual, has opted to ride Defunded in the Big 'Cap for Bob Baffert.
Newgrange is owned by David Bernsen, Little Red Feather Racing, and Rockingham Ranch. Winner of two graded stakes as a 3-year-old, Newgrange has a record of 5-0-2 from eight starts with earnings of $747,334.
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