D'Amato Trio Seeking Redemption in Hollywood Turf Cup

Three is the magic number for trainer Phil D'Amato at Del Mar Nov. 29 as he sends a trio of runners to the post in an attempt to win his third $200,000 Hollywood Turf Cup Stakes (G2T).

Divin Propos , Rockemperor , and Balnikhov  exit the Sept. 28 California Crown John Henry Turf Championship Stakes (G2T) going 1 1/4 miles at Santa Anita Park. All raced in the back half of the 11-horse field early and they finished sixth, ninth, and 10th, respectively.

"The John Henry was just a paceless race," D'Amato said. "They went three quarters in (1:15.13) on a fast turf course and the first three finishers were on a merry-go-round all the way around there."

Video: California Crown John Henry Turf Championship S. presented by 1/ST BET (G2T)

The trio will get their shot at redemption going 1 1/2 miles Friday, hopeful that pace plays more favorably this time. Each is capable of a top-class performance on his day.

Little Red Feather Racing, Madaket Stables, and Old Bones Racing Stable's Balnikhov is the only one of the three to taste graded success this season, which came over soft turf at Pimlico Race Course in the Dinner Party Stakes (G3T). Between that May victory and the John Henry, he was third in a pair of Del Mar grade 2s. This will be the 5-year-old Adaay  gelding's first start at the distance.

Rockemperor, who races for Madaket, Wonder Stables, Michael Caruso, Michael Dubb, and Michael Kisber, has not won since the July 2022 Bowling Green Stakes (G2T) at Saratoga Race Course but has been a constant presence at the top level across the country and often finds himself within a few lengths of victory.

The John Henry was Divin Propos' first stakes appearance in the United States, having previously won two of three allowance starts stateside. He is owned by Madaket, Panic Stable, and William Strauss.

The horse responsible for the "paceless" John Henry was Kretz Racing's Cabo Spirit , who took the field gate-to-wire in a length victory. He took a shot at doing the same thing in the Nov. 2 Breeders' Cup Turf (G1T) at Del Mar but faded to finish 12th. That was his only start over 1 1/2 miles, but this time the George Papaprodromou trainee will get serious class relief.

Red Baron's Barn and Rancho Temescal's Dicey Mo Chara  stalked Cabo Spirit in the early stages of the John Henry before finishing fourth, beaten two lengths. Trainer Leonard Powell books Flavien Prat, who is 2-for-2 on the gelding, to ride.

The hot hand entering Friday belongs to Jonathan Thomas, who Nov. 24 saddled Mrs. Astor  to victory in Del Mar's 1 3/8-mile Red Carpet Stakes (G3T). The trainer brought another Augustin Stables homebred with him to Del Mar in Truly Quality , winner of the Oct. 5 Singspiel Stakes (G3T) at Woodbine.