Hong Kong Harry responded perfectly to rider Flavien Prat's cues and came running in the lane to pull clear late and capture the $302,000 Del Mar Mile (G2) by 2 ¼ lengths at Del Mar in one of five stakes races on the seaside oval's sparkling Saturday agenda.
The 5-year-old Irish-bred son of Es Que Love is owned by a trio of Californians – Scott Anastasi, Jimmy Ukegawa, and Tony Valazza – and is trained by Phil D'Amato.
“Harry” picked up a check for $180,000 for his good work in the $302,000 Del Mar Mile. He now has a total earnings record of $415,097 and eight wins in 12 lifetime starts.
“Flavien was sitting in the right spot,” said D'Amato, who enjoyed a third win in the race. “Around the quarter pole my horse was picking up steam, angling out and ready to kick in. Once he did, I thought it was just a matter of time and he did it stylishly.”
Finishing second was Irideo, who had 1 ¼ lengths on third-place finisher Cathkin Peak.
The winner covered the mile in a rapid 1:33.15 on firm turf as the race's 6-5 favorite. He returned $4.40.
“We had a good trip,” Prat said. “The pace was strong. I got lucky when I was able to drop myself inside around the turn and he made a good run when I asked him to do it. The leader was really far in front. Obviously, that's the way he ran last time, so I didn't know if he was going to come back to me. I rode this horse for his first race in the country and really liked him a lot. It seems like he's improving a lot and is getting even better.”
The victory in the Mile was rider Prat's third straight in the event. He had come to town from his current New York headquarters to ride the TVG Pacific Classic (G1) favorite Flightline, who won by an eye-popping 19 1/4 lengths, but Hong Kong Harry proved a nice stop along the way.
Hong Kong Harry was bred by Amarath Business Management from the Gold Away mare Vital Body.
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