Strong Hand for D'Amato in Del Mar Handicap

A field of 11 is set for the Sept. 2 Del Mar Handicap (G2T) with a purse of $300,000 and a Breeders' Cup Challenge Series: "Win and You're In" spot in November's Breeders' Cup Turf (G1T) on the line.

The 1 3/8-mile test, around three turns, drew a well-matched field including last year's winner, Gold Phoenix . Gold Phoenix, Cash Equity , and Cathkin Peak  all represent West Coast turf powerhouse Phil D'Amato.

Gold Phoenix followed up last year's victory with a photo-finish third in the John Henry Turf Championship Stakes (G2T) at Santa Anita Park and then reported 10th with a wide trip in the Breeders' Cup Turf at Santa Anita. The Belardo  gelding started his 2023 campaign with a victory in the Frank E. Kilroe Mile Stakes (G1T), missed a first-three finish in two graded events, and then won the Eddie Read Stakes (G2T) at Del Mar in his last start, a race in which D'Amato saddled the first four finishers.

"I think I've come in 1-2-3 but I don't ever recall coming in 1-2-3-4," said D'Amato, a five-time Del Mar training champion.

He said jockey Hector Berrios sensed a slow pace in the Eddie Read and that played into his hands.

"Hector knew when to make his move. He's riding really well right now and you could see from the great ride he gave Gold Phoenix," the trainer said.

Sweeping the placings might be a tougher task this time around although D'Amato's other players have had their moments. Cathkin Peak finished third in the 2022 Eddie Read and won the race before that, relegating Gold Phoenix to second. Cash Equity has been more successful lately going one mile.

Despite the praise for the Eddie Read ride, Berrios jumped off Gold Phoenix for the Del Mar Handicap in favor of Planetario . Gold Phoenix shouldn't suffer from a rider switch. He picks up Juan Hernandez, who is riding winners at a 24% clip at the meeting and handled Gold Phoenix in the John Henry.

Planetario, a 5-year-old entire, won the San Juan Capistrano Stakes (G3T) June 18 with Berrios aboard and traveled across the continent to finish fifth, beaten just 2 1/4 lengths, in the United Nations Stakes (G1T) at Monmouth Park for jockey Mike Smith in his most recent effort July 22.

A dual group 1 winner in Brazil in 2021, Planetario made only one start in 2022 for trainer Richard Mandella. He faces off again with familiar foe Offlee Naughty . Offlee Naughty won the San Luis Rey Stakes (G3T) with Planetario second May 13 but finished second to that rival in the San Juan Capistrano.

Azul Coast , a 6-year-old son of Super Saver   trained by Bob Baffert, makes just his second turf start in the Del Mar Handicap. He finished a fading fifth in the La Jolla Handicap (G3T) over the course nearly three years ago. More recently, he was second in the local Cougar II Stakes (G3) July 23 after an absence of nearly eight months.

Among the others, Missed the Cut  makes his third start for trainer John Sadler after coming over from England. None Above the Law  steps up from state-bred competition for trainer Peter Miller but is winless in 11 starts since taking the Del Mar Derby (G2T) in September 2021.

Nineeleventurbo , a 6-year-old by More Than Ready , has the best recent form of the 11 entries. The Neil Drysdale charge is riding a two-race win streak but those came far down the class ladder from a gateway to the Breeders' Cup.

Crosby Beach  and Win the Day  complete the field.