Motorious Continues U.S. Success in San Simeon
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Photo: Benoit Photo
Motorious claims the San Simeon Stakes at Santa Anita Park
Ever since he came over from Great Britain, all Motorious has done is hit the board.
That trend continued March 5 as the son of Muhaarar took home his first graded stakes win, the $101,000 San Simeon Stakes (G3T) at Santa Anita Park pulling away for a 2 1/4-length triumph in 1:11.34. He is 3-2-1 in six starts in the United States for trainer Phil D'Amato.
The win was the second graded stakes of the day for jockey Flavien Prat, who earlier won the Santa Ysabel Stakes (G3).
Multiple graded stakes winner Brickyard Ride , who was returning to the track after a nine-month layoff, made it appear early on as if the time away served him well. He kept the eventual winner at bay by as much as two lengths coming down the hill in this 6 1/2-furlong challenge for 4-year-olds and up. Brickyard Ride opened with fractions of :21.46 and :43.01.
But a stalking Prat and Motorious found their spot once they crossed over the dirt track and entered the stretch. Moving outside of the leader, Motorious had plenty of motor to leave no doubt about the outcome as he put Brickyard Ride away and drew clear.
"I thought if we had a chance to beat him, it would be off the layoff," D'Amato said. "We had a really nice post, and last time, we were just stuck on the inside. Made sure Flavien got him in the race and in the right position to get the job done, and he did a masterful job."
Said Prat: "He broke well and I was able to get myself right behind Brickyard Ride, so I was pleased with that. Obviously, I can't let Brickyard Ride do his own thing in the first part, but I kind of wanted to get the jump on him and kind of surprise him. From that point, my horse was really brave and got to the wire."
Motorious paid $5 on a $2 bet. Anarchist took second by a half-length over Brickyard Ride. Whatmakessammyrun , Respect the Code , Sumter , and Count of Amazonia rounded out the field.
Motorious improves to 5-3-2 over 13 starts in his career with $204,944 in earnings. Even in his native country, Motorious saw modest success, going 2-1-1 in seven starts between 2020-2021.
The 5-year-old bay gelding is out of the Pastoral Pursuits (GB) mare Squash . The mare has two starters out of four foals, both winners.
He was bred by Kirtlington Stud and Mary Taylor and is owned by Anthony Fanticola. Prat has been in the irons for all but the first two of Motorious' U.S. starts.
Motorious most recently sold at the 2021 Tattersalls Autumn Horses-in-Training Sale for $317,956, bought by Boomer Bloodstock out of the Diomed Stables consignment.