D'Amato, Gallagher Have Frankel Stakes Covered

Whether the $100,000 Robert J. Frankel Stakes (G3T) is run as scheduled on turf Dec. 30 or moved to the Santa Anita Park main track due to rain, trainers Phil D'Amato and Paddy Gallagher are well positioned. Both are represented in the six-horse, 1 1/8-mile race by a filly with a stakes placing on turf and another entrant with respectable dirt form.

D'Amato has entered Little Red Feather Racing's stakes-placed Oakhurst , recently sixth in the 1 3/8-mile Red Carpet Stakes (G3T) at Del Mar Nov. 23, and a winner over "good" turf at Keeneland. Stablemate Lakota Spirit  is not as proven in stakes but has performed well on turf and dirt in California for owners Peter Brant and Mrs. Paul Shanahan.

Flavien Prat is aboard Oakhurst, a 4-year-old Mr Speaker   filly, while Juan Hernandez rides Lakota Spirit, a 4-year-old daughter of Curlin  .

Gallagher's Duo

Gallagher's leading turf representative is Eclipse Thorougbred Partners' Yerwanthere , second last out on grass in the restricted Kathryn Crosby Stakes Nov. 11 at Del Mar under Umberto Rispoli, who is back in the irons. The 4-year-old daughter of Markaz  was a prior allowance/optional claiming winner in the fall over the Santa Anita turf course.

Gallagher's other filly, U.S. Equine's Angel Nadeshiko  (Carpe Diem  ), is 0-0-1 in five starts on grass but is the most accomplished dirt entrant with a record of 2-3-1 in 10 starts. Antonio Fresu rides.

Rebel Girl  and Luminiferous  complete the field.