By Alan Carasso
Let go as the fourth betting choice at overlaid odds for Sunday's GII San Marcos S., Prince Abama (Ire) (Tamayuz {GB}) came with a stinging late rally to peg back Masteroffoxhounds (War Front) for his second success at the graded level.
Midfield for the run through the stretch for the first time, Prince Abama drifted back a spot passing the three-quarter pole, but was nicely relaxed under a long hold from Flavien Prat, spotting front-running Evan Harlan (Temple City) and the stalking Masteroffoxhounds about five lengths. Slipped a bit of rein fully 3 1/2 furlongs from home, Prince Abama was ridden along with about three lengths to find midway on the turn and was steered off the heels of Yes This Time (Not This Time) and into the clear at the three-sixteenths. Roused sharply left-handed as Masteroffoxhounds struck to the front at the furlong grounds, Prince Abama hit top gear and whooshed home down the center of the course to score cozily.
Fed a steady diet of stakes races since taking a mile allowance at Del Mar last September, Prince Abama was third in the GII City of Hope Mile Oct. 1 and improved one spot in the restricted Lure S. going the same distance four weeks later. He negotiated the tricky step up to 12 panels wtih aplomb, taking out the GII Hollywood Turf Cup Nov. 25 and was most recently fourth to Dicey Mo Chara (GB) (Adaay {Ire}) in this track's GII San Gabriel S. Dec. 26, a race in which he appeared to be making a winning bid only to be chopped out at a crucial stage.
Prat, the regular rider for Horse of the Year Flightline, had ridden just seven winners from 101 mounts entering Sunday's action, and he was understandably relieved to taste big-race success.
“It is always great to get some winners,” the Frenchman said. “I can't thank Phil enough for his support. He has been a great supporter of mine and I really appreciate it.
Pedigree Notes:
A graduate of the 2019 Goffs Sportman's Yearling Sale, Prince Abama is one of five winners from as many to race from his dam, a half-sister to Canadian SW & GSP Nymphenburg (San Romano). Second dam Schonbrunn was a full-sister to 1985 Queen's Plate heroine La Lorgnette, whose son Hawk Wing was a two-time Irish and English champion while winning the seven-furlong G1 National S. at two, the G1 Eclipse S. at three over a mile and a quarter and the 2003 G1 Lockinge S. at a mile. He was also runner-up in the G1 2000 Guineas and G1 Epsom Derby in 2002. Prince Abama is the last listed produce for Abama Lady.
Sunday, Santa Anita
SAN MARCOS S.-GIII, $202,500, Santa Anita, 2-5, 4yo/up, 1 1/4mT, 2:01.42, fm.
1–PRINCE ABAMA (IRE), 124, g, 5, by Tamayuz (GB)
1st Dam: Abama Lady, by Mr. Greeley
2nd Dam: Schonbrunn, by Val de l'Orne (Fr)
3rd Dam: The Temptress, by Nijinsky II
(€29,000 Ylg '19 GOFSPT). O-Michael House; B-Mr T. Jones
(Ire); T-Philip D'Amato; J-Flavien Prat. $120,000. Lifetime
Record: 12-4-4-1, $459,553. Werk Nick Rating: C+.
Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the
free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Masteroffoxhounds, 124, h, 6, War Front–Outstanding (Ire),
by Galileo (Ire). O-Rockingham Ranch;
B-Orpendale/Chelston/Wynatt (KY); T-Philip D'Amato.
$40,000.
3–Opry, 124, g, 7, Declaration of War–That Voodoo Youdo,
by Speightstown. ($180,000 Ylg '17 KEESEP; $57,000 5yo '21
KEENOV). O-David A. Bernsen, LLC, Mark Gorman & Andrew
Schwindt; B-Crosshaven Bloodstock (KY); T-George
Papaprodromou. $24,000.
Margins: NK, HF, NK. Odds: 5.30, 3.00, 12.10.
Also Ran: Say the Word, The Grey Wizard (Ire), Dicey Mo Chara (GB), Yes This Time, Avenue, Evan Harlan, Cash Equity (Fr).
Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.
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