By Stefanie Grimm
In what could prove to be a useful trial run, Motorious (GB) (Muhaarar {GB}) came flying over the Del Mar turf late to win the 'Win And You're In' GII Green Flash Handicap Saturday. Last year's winner, who parlayed this race into a fifth in the GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint at Santa Anita, broke as the 2-1 favorite despite not having found the winner's circle since taking this same race one year ago. Brought back as a 6-year-old to be seventh in the GII Twin Spires Turf Sprint Stakes at Churchill Downs May 4, Motorious could do no better than fourth facing allowance runners at Santa Anita going six furlongs June 16. Favored despite needing to show a step up, Motorious cut back to five furlongs for the first time since the Breeders' Cup and, despite a good break from the outside gate, found himself swarmed in the opening furlong. Guided to the outside by Antonio Fresu, the favorite had just two runners beat through into the far turn and appeared to be hopelessly out of it past the quarter pole. But once he switched leads just outside the furlong marker, Motorious found his best gear and came flying down the outside, leading home a charging Johnny Podres (Grazen) as they both nailed No Nay Hudson (Ire) (No Nay Never), who appeared well on his way to winning, close to home.
“I was really happy with the way the horse was breezing the last few times,” said Fresu. “When I read the race, I could see there was going to be a lot of speed. So the plan was from the outside post try to save ground and plough forward. It worked out perfectly, so I couldn't be happier about that.”
Winning trainer Phil D'Amato added: “It's a good feeling. This horse didn't get things his own way starting off this year and he came back to a turf course he really likes and got a nice set and showed what he can do.”
Pedigree Note:
One of 26 stakes winners for Muhaarar (GB), Motorious is one of three winners from three to race for MGSP Squash (GB). Her 3-year-old Advertise (GB) colt Matters Most (GB) was stakes placed in England after bringing 500,000gns as a yearling at Tattersalls October in Book 1. Her 2-year-old Sergei Prokofiev colt also sold well, going the Tattersalls ring twice and most recently bringing a final bid of 220,000gns out of the same yearling sale last fall. Squash has a yearling Ardad (Ire) filly who is her last reported foal.
#10 MOTORIOUS ($6.60) defends his title in the $150,000 Green Flash Handicap (G3) at @DelMarRacing and earns himself a spot in the @BreedersCup Turf Sprint. @Antonio1Fresu piloted the six-year-old gelding to this powerful victory for trainer @PhilDamato11. pic.twitter.com/WQLQrok3zV
— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) September 1, 2024
Saturday, Del Mar
GREEN FLASH H.-GIII, $152,500, Del Mar, 8-31, 3yo/up, 5fT, :56.14, fm.
1–MOTORIOUS (GB), 123, g, 6, by Muhaarar (GB)
1st Dam: Squash (GB) (MGSP-Eng),
by Pastoral Pursuits (GB)
2nd Dam: Super Midge (GB), by Royal Applause (GB)
3rd Dam: Sabina (GB), by Prince Sabo (GB)
(55,000gns Ylg '19 TATOCT; 220,000gns 3yo '21 TATAHI).
O-Anthony Fanticola; B-Kirtlington Stud & Mrs Mary Taylor
(GB); T-Philip D'Amato; J-Antonio Fresu. $90,000. Lifetime
Record: 19-7-4-2, $517,604. Werk Nick Rating: A++.
Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Johnny Podres, 120, g, 7, Grazen–Malibu Holiday, by Harlan's
Holiday. 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. O-David A. Bernsen LLC
and Rockingham Ranch; B-Nick Alexander (CA); T-Librado
Barocio. $30,000.
3–No Nay Hudson (Ire), 120, g, 4, No Nay Never–Raw Silk,
by Malibu Moon. 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($190,000 Ylg '21
KEESEP). O-Andrew Farm and For the People Racing Stable
LLC; B-RJB Bloodstock (IRE); T-Wesley A. Ward. $18,000.
Margins: 3/4, HD, 1HF. Odds: 2.30, 12.20, 4.30.
Also Ran: Daniel's Magic, Fast Buck, Star Racer, Sassy Nature, Turn On The Jets (Ire), Unconquerable Keen (Ire), Mo Gold. Scratched: Connie Swingle, Noble Reflection.
Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
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