Santa Anita Stakes Recaps: Grade II, San Gabriel, Grade II, $200,000 San Antonio

By Mike Willman —-

Easter; Benoit
HEAVILY FAVORED EASTER STORMS HOME TO TAKE GRADE II, $200,000 SAN GABRIEL STAKES BY 1 ¼ LENGTHS AS HE GETS 1 1/8 MILES ON TURF IN 1:47.60

ARCADIA, CA (Dec. 26, 2023)—Heavily favored at 3-5, Phil D’Amato’s French-bred Easter tipped five-wide turning for home en route to a powerful 1 ¼ length victory in Tuesday’s Grade II, $200,000 San Gabriel Stakes, one of six graded events on Santa Anita’s Classic Meet opening day.

Ridden by Antonio Fresu, Easter was under a snug hold down the backside, last by about four lengths passing the half mile pole and despite the fact Frankie Dettori had carved out a moderate early pace aboard Eastern Ocean, Easter was simply too much, as he ran up his third consecutive stakes victory, getting a mile and one eighth on turf in 1:47.60.

A gutty half length winner of the Grade II Seabiscuit Handicap going a mile and one sixteenth on turf at Del Mar Nov. 25, Easter dominated the wagering versus five rivals aged three and up and paid $3.40, $2.40 and $2.10.

A 5-year-old gelding making his second start for D’Amato raced almost exclusively through five starts in New York this year for trainer Graham Motion. Easter, owned by Madaket Stables, LLC, picked up $120,000 for the win, increasing his earnings to $567,910 while improving his overall mark to 19-7-3-3.

Ridden by Irad Ortiz, Jr., Missed the Cut raced as a team with Easter to the far turn and finished well to be second, a nose in front of Tio Magico. Off at 4-1, Missed the Cut paid $3.60 and $2.60.

The second choice at 7-2 with Flavien Prat, Tio Magico, who is also conditioned by D’Amato, got the jump on his stablemate turning for home but was no match for him late as he checked in third and paid $2.40 to show.

Fractions on the race were 24.64, 48.76, 1:12.66 and 1:36.21.

JOCKEY QUOTES
ANTONIO FRESU, EASTER, WINNER: “This horse was fantastic in the final eighth. I was a little concerned about the pace because we only had six horses. He was really relaxed today and I took him to the outside in the last quarter. I tapped him once and he really quickened. I’m really happy with his performance. He is not an easy horse to trainer or to ride, but I really think there is a lot more there.”

TRAINER QUOTES
PHIL D’AMATO, EASTER, WINNER: “Antonio (Fresu) said he broke out of the gate a little more lethargic than normal. He got in a good stride down the backside and thought he was going to come with a run, luckily it worked out. For a Euro he is a really good size, he’s just a horse to me, he has a ton of talent. They didn’t go that fast early, for him to just come from behind and make that big looping move and not look back, he just flew home.
“I think two things helped today, when he won under Graham (Motion) he got his confidence up. We also learned that he liked the firmer turf courses over here. Between those two things and getting to know his quirks, he is a very quirky horse and just knowing what he likes to do and just keep him happy. I think hopefully skies the limit.

NOTES: The winning owner is Madaket Stables, LLC.

NEWGRANGE, ORTIZ, JR. CRUISE TO 2 ¼ LENGTH TALLY IN GRADE II, $200,000 SAN ANTONIO AS D’AMATO GETS STAKES DOUBLE

ARCADIA, CA (Dec. 26, 2023)—Ridden for the first time by four-time Eclipse Award champion Irad Ortiz, Jr., Phil D’Amato’s Newgrange stalked a speedy Brickyard Ride around the far turn, took command while wide-out and went on to cruise to an easy 2 ¼ length win in Tuesday’s Grade II, $200,000 San Antonio Stakes, stopping the clock for a mile and one sixteenth in 1:42.79 as he provided D’Amato with a stakes double on Santa Anita’s Classic Meet opening day.

As expected, multiple stakes winning sprinter Brickyard Ride showed the way early in the San Antonio, setting fractions of 23.26, 47.31, 1:11.11 and 1:36.10. Although headed by the winner a quarter mile out, Brickyard Ride battled on gamely at the rail but tired to finish third, beaten a half length for second money by Mixto.

A winner of the Grade II San Pasqual Stakes four starts back here on Jan. 28, Newgrange was off at 7-2 in a field of five 3-year-olds and up and paid $9.60, $3.20 and $3.00.

Owned by David Bernsen, LLC, Little Red Feather Racing and Rockingham Ranch, Newgrange, a 4-year-old Kentucky-bred colt by Violence out of the Empire Maker mare Bella Chianti, collected his fourth graded stakes win and his sixth overall victory from 12 starts.

Five-wide turning for home, Mixto, although last coming to the furlong pole, kept to his task and proved second best on the day under Antonio Fresu. Off at 9-1, he paid $6.80 and $3.80.

Ridden by Umberto Rispoli, Brickyard Ride, off at 5-1, paid $4.20 to show while finishing a half length in front of Argentine-bred Subsanador, who was making his U.S. debut as the 6-5 favorite.

Stilleto Boy, winner of this year’s Grade I Santa Anita Handicap, was never a factor and checked in last with no apparent excuses.

GRADE II, $200,000 SAN ANTONIO STAKES QUOTES
JOCKEY QUOTES
IRAD ORTIZ, JR., NEWGRANGE, WINNER: “What can I say about the horse? He did everything, I was a good passenger. He was going perfectly the whole way and when I asked him to get, he responded. Honestly, I didn’t know the horse, but I talked to Phil, and he told me exactly what I had to do I think, because everything went the right way. He told me to stay close and not to go head in head with the other horse. He’s that kind of horse that you have to kind of help him to give it to you, but that wasn’t the case today he was going so good. I didn’t even have to move on top of him. At the quarter pole I just asked him, and he started going.”
TRAINER QUOTES
PHILIP D’AMATO, NEWGRANGE, WINNER: “This horse is starting to round into form. I think the long layoff did him some good. I know he likes Santa Anita. He was better the other day and he put it all together today. Irad (Ortiz Jr.) rode a perfect race. He stayed right behind Brickyard Ride and when it came time to run, he did the rest. I think we will point him toward the San Pasqual next.”

PRESENTER QUOTES

AVERY JOHNSON, NBA AND COLLEGE BASKETBALL ANALYST FOR CBS SPORTS: “I have been to Santa Anita several times. I’m a Breeders’ Cup Ambassador so I was recently here for the Breeders’ Cup. I have been in and around horse racing for forty plus years, growing up by the Fairgrounds in New Orleans. This coming year the 150th Kentucky Derby will be my 15th Kentucky Derby. My first one was Silver Charm back in 1997, so I’m a big fan. I love it because I can bring my family. We are just excited to be here.”

NOTES: The winning owners are David A. Bernsen, LLC, Little Red Feather Racing and Rockingham Ranch.

Cover PHOTO: NEWGRANGE; bENOIT