Little Red Feather Racing, Madaket Stables, and Brereton Jones’ Conclude , a Kentucky-bred son of 2017 Pacific Classic Stakes (G1) winner Collected , scored a smart length-and-a-quarter victory in the July 21 Oceanside Stakes at Del Mar as the seaside track kicked off its 2023 summer season.
The chestnut colt was handled by Hector Berrios and 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, Classical Cat .
“He broke really well; perfect,” Berrios said. “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.”
Finishing third in the 78th edition of the $104,000 stakes limited to 3-year-olds was 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.
“When he opened up a length or two at the top of the lane I thought he was the horse,” D’Amato said. “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.”
Conclude is out of the 2012 Kentucky Oaks (G1) heroine Believe You Can (Proud Citizen) and was bred by co-owner Jones.
Video: Caesars Sportsbook Oceanside S. (BT)
This press release has been edited for content and style by BloodHorse Staff.
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