Worth a Whopping $62,000,000 Celebrated Trainer and Equestrian Horses Make It Big at Prestigious Venue

Equestrian enthusiasts have their own hurdles to cross. The sport requires a deep understanding of horses, patience, and skills to train them to do what the rider wants. After years of dedication to the craft, the trainer gets success when the horse wins the race. But, the taste of success is, sweeter if the trained horses occupy the top four positions in the race.

Phil D’Amato tasted that sweetness at the Del Mar racetrack yesterday. The horses trained by him have claimed all the first four positions in the race. The horses applied different strategies which were implemented perfectly during the race. The five-time shore training champion has made a new achievement on the grass turf.

Phil D’Amato’s horses shine at Del Mar

Worth 62 million Phil D’Amato arrived at Grade 2  $252,000 Eddie Read Stakes at Del Mar with four horses – Gold Phoenix, Balnikhov, Masteroffoxhounds, and Count Again. Count Again owned by Agave Racing Stable and Sam-Son Farm was favored 9-5 before the race. Gold Phoenix and Balnikhov have a common owner who owns them in partnership. Gold Phoenix was favored 9-2. Masteroffoxhounds is owned by David A. Bernsen LLC and Rockingham Ranch.

At the start of the race, Masteroffoxhounds took the lead and paced through the first quarter mile in 24.54 and 49.20 in the half mile. Gold Phoenix kept at the fifth position and the other two Balnikhov and Count Again trailed him in the race of nine horses. After entering the second turn Masteroffoxhounds maintained the lead but Gold Phoenix started its stretch run with the other two also starting passing the horses. In the end, Gold Phoenix reached the wire first and won the race in 1:48.62. Balnikhov came second and was three-quarters of a length behind the winner. Masteroffoxhounds held on for third and was a half-length behind Balnikhov. Count Again came fourth with a distance of a length behind the third.

This is D’Amato’s fourth win at the Eddie Read Stakes at Del Mar. Prior to this, he won in 2016 with Midnight Storm, in 2017 with Hunt, and in 2019 with Bowies Hero. The trainer was definitely happy with his strategies for each working out perfectly.

D’Amato is all praise for the equestrian icons

D’Amato has achieved the unbelievable at the Eddie Read Stakes at Del Mar. Such a feat is rare in horse riding competitions. Speaking on the race after the win he said, “All my horses ran well and I’m proud of them“. He was particularly concerned for Count Again who was running after a gap of fourteen months. But, was happy with his fourth finish. He further said, “I thought Masteroffoxhounds was going to win. Then Gold Phoenix came through, then Balnikhov“.

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He summed up his thoughts after the win and said, “It’s a great feeling, but just a credit to a great team, great owners, and these horses. This is what I live for and this is what I got in the game for.” D’Amato started his training career as an assistant to Mike Mitchell. He worked at the position for eleven years. After Mike’s retirement, he took over the barn. In his entire training career, he has had 4,631 starts of which he won 864.

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