Prat Turns the Corner Aboard Prince Abama in San Marcos

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Prat Turns the Corner Aboard Prince Abama in San Marcos
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Photo: Benoit Photo
Prince Abama and jockey Flavien Prat win the San Marcos Stakes at Santa Anita Park

The year has not gotten off to the kind of start Flavien Prat would like. It's not for lack of trying; the wins just have not been coming the way he's used to. 

Through Feb. 3, the jockey had only six wins—just one in a stakes race—to his credit in 2023, which included a 20-day winless streak. He'd come close often in 2023, however, amassing 19 runner-up finishes.


But after getting a graded win the day before in the Thunder Road Stakes (G3T), Prat guided the Phil D'Amato-trained Prince Abama  to an impressive rally Sunday in the 1 1/4-mile $200,000 San Marcos Stakes (G3T) at Santa Anita Park. He followed that with a second-place finish in the Palos Verdes Stakes (G3) to add to three other runner-up efforts over Saturday and Sunday.

"I feel like I'm riding fine and it's just a matter of finding the holes at the right time," Prat told FanDuel TV after the race.

Prince Abama came into the San Marcos as one of the favorites, but for most of the contest, it was longshot Evan Harlan  who set the pace with early fractions of :23.62, 48.49, and 1:14.00. Evan Harlan kept another D'Amato pupil, Masteroffoxhounds , at bay through the first mile. 

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But with Evan Harlan weakening, Masteroffoxhounds made his move and looked to be in prime position heading down the stretch with the fractional time of 1:37.61.

Prat, going five wide, also had to contend with a surging Opry  as he and Prince Abama charged forward. 

Had this been a video game, Prat punched in the right button combination as Prince Abama reached the wire a neck ahead of Masteroffoxhounds.

"I was in a good spot," Prat said. "I was caught right behind the speed. I was pleased with my trip and then they kind of picked it up when we hit the turn and I was able to follow the speed."

It was Pratt's fourth time and third consecutive ride aboard Prince Abama, including the Tamayuz  gelding's last win two starts back in the Hollywood Turf Cup Stakes (G2T) at Del Mar in November.  

Prince Abama paid $12.60 to win. Masteroffoxhounds, Opry, and Say the Word —the third of D'Amato's four trainees in the race—rounded out the top four. Evan Harlan finished ninth in the field of 10.

Bred by Tom Jones and owned by Michael House, Prince Abama is out of the Mr. Greeley mare Abama Lady. She has five starters, all winners, from seven foals.

Prince Abama was sold for $31,783 at the 2019 Goffs Sportsman's Yearling Sale out of the Owenstown Stud consignment. 

The 5-year-old improves to 4-4-1 in 12 starts with career earnings of $459,553.


Entries: San Marcos S. (G3T)

Santa Anita Park, Sunday, February 05, 2023, Race 6

  • Grade III
  • 1 1/4m
  • Downhill turf
  • $200,000
  • 4 yo's & up
  • 3:06 PM (local)
PP Horse Jockey Wgt Trainer M/L
1 1Evan Harlan (KY) Edwin A. Maldonado 120 H. Graham Motion 20/1
2 2Masteroffoxhounds (KY) Umberto Rispoli 124 Philip D'Amato 4/1
3 3Opry (KY)Keeneland Sales Graduate Lanfranco Dettori 124 George Papaprodromou 12/1
4 4Prince Abama (IRE) Flavien Prat 124 Philip D'Amato 5/1
5 5Yes This Time (KY) Joe Bravo 124 Mark Glatt 12/1
6 6Cash Equity (FR) Jessica Pyfer 120 Philip D'Amato 15/1
7 7Dicey Mo Chara (GB) Juan J. Hernandez 124 Leonard Powell 3/1
8 8Say the Word (ON) Kent J. Desormeaux 124 Philip D'Amato 4/1
9 9The Grey Wizard (IRE) John R. Velazquez 120 H. Graham Motion 5/1
10 10Avenue (KY)Keeneland Sales Graduate Kazushi Kimura 120 Michael W. McCarthy 12/1