Phil D'Amato

Thought Process turned over a new leaf since switching to a mile on the grass and the Madaket Stables, Little Red Feather Racing and the Estate of Brereton C. Jones runner underscored the point with an emphatic victory in Sunday's GIII Surfer Girl Stakes at Santa Anita. Breaking sharply, the 1-5 favorite soon went to the front, leading the way through a :23.17 quarter mile. Still moving confidently through a :47.69 half, the chestnut cut the corner with authority, drew clear down the lane and crossed the wire an eye-catching...

Trainer Phil D'Amato reported One Magic Philly (Good Magic) and Hang the Moon (Uncle Mo) were doing well after their graded stakes victories Saturday at Santa Anita and both fillies are under consideration for Breeders' Cup engagements. Hang the Moon earned a fees-paid berth in the GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf with her upset win in Saturday's GII Rodeo Drive Stakes. "She paid her way [to the Breeders' Cup]. If she continues to train well, that's where we'll go," D'Amato said Sunday morning. One Magic Philly won her...

One Magic Philly came into Saturday's GIII Chillingworth Stakes having displayed marked improvement with each of her last three races and her return to Santa Anita gave her yet another notch in her belt after she crossed the wire on top in the 6 1/2-furlong test, earning her first taste of black-type in the process. Quickly up to press heavy favorite Sweet Azteca (Sharp Azteca), winner of the GI Beholder Mile last March, the 7-2 chance continued to put the screws to the favorite through :21.76 and :44.10 splits. Inching...

Not just anyone can hire their own personal bloodstock agent for Keeneland September to walk them through that voluminous catalogue and bid at one of the world's signature sales. Likewise, breeders, owners and agents do not always have access to pools of investors and some are actively looking to add more capital, so they can take money off the table to mitigate risk. If you hadn't heard, racing a horse is expensive, and speed dating at the sales does not always yield a match. In the global world market of...

   In this series, the TDN takes a look at notable successes of European-based sires in North America. This week's column is highlighted by the victory of Idea Generation in the Flower Bowl Stakes, as Klaravich Stables and trainer Chad Brown earned meet titles at Saratoga on Labor Day.   Dubawi Longshot Pillar To Post In The Flower Bowl Klaravich Stables and Chad Brown enjoyed a Saratoga double on Aug. 31, and Idea Generation (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) brought up the second half of that milestone when taking the GII Flower...

In this continuing series, TDN's Senior Racing Editor Steve Sherack catches up with the connections of promising maidens to keep on your radar. Mancuso (f, 2, McKinzie--Medaglia d'Argento, by Medaglia d'Oro) came within a neck of putting an exclamation point on a banner weekend for her high-profile connections at Del Mar last Sunday. Given a 7-1 chance in her unveiling for trainer Phil D'Amato, the Little Red Feather Racing colorbearer broke well from her inside draw and was ridden along by Antonio Fresu to chase in a joint second while...

In her first start since a 33% share of her sold for $330,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Midsummer Flash Sale, Agave Racing Iscreamuscream (Twirling Candy) extended her record to a perfect four-for-four with a confident victory in Saturday's GI Del Mar Oaks. Breaking from Post 1, the 3-1 second choice went to the fore with the leading group, carving out an opening quarter in sensible :24.20. Umberto Rispoli aboard recent Christiana Stakes winner Whiskey Decision (Into Mischief) decided the early pace was far too slow and rushed to the front, opening...

   In this series, the TDN takes a look at notable successes of European-based sires in North America. This week's column is highlighted by the victories of Halfway Line and City Exile, both trained by Phil D'Amato, at Del Mar.   Zoffany Gelding Strikes At Del Mar James Downey's stakes-placed Halfway Line (GB) (Zoffany {Ire}) took three tries, but came away with his first American win at Del Mar for trainer Phil D'Amato in late July (video). Bred by Juddmonte Farms, the 4-year-old gelding won thrice and placed in the...

With two wins in as many starts, Iscreamuscream (Twirling Candy) did not melt under pressure and remained undefeated in the GII San Clemente Stakes at Del Mar on opening day. Perfect in a pair of turf sprints going six furlongs over the Santa Anita grass Oct. 14 and June 13, Iscreamuscream was the 6-5 chalk in her stakes debut Saturday. Making her first start around two turns here, she was sent to the front and raced under pressure through fractions of :22.76 and :47.49. With four of them lined up...

Canadian champion sprinter Hazelbrook (Bayern), in foal to Triple Crown winner Justify, and multiple stakes winner Lucky Girl (Ire) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}) highlight the inaugural Inglis Digital USA July Sale. "We are excited to feature these two impressive entries in our inaugural sale as Inglis Digital USA," said CEO Liza Hendriks. "The global demand for both buying and selling has been substantial, highlighting the international appeal of these two mares. They are the first of many high-quality listings to come, and we look forward to showcasing more in our...

Freshman sire Thousand Words (by Pioneerof the Nile) collected the first stakes win of his promising stud career, as Vodka With a Twist clinked her glass after getting her picture taken in the Debutante Stakes on closing day at Churchill Downs. The former charge of Jason McCutchen broke her maiden under his tutelage at second asking over a sloppy course under the Twin Spires May 17. With her new barn and as the 6-5 choice here, Vodka With a Twist got down to business from the bell by blazing a...

Jockey Juan Hernandez, trainer Phil D'Amato and owner Paul and Zilla Reddam's Reddam Racing emerged victorious in their respective divisions during the 29-day Hollywood Meet at Santa Anita, which closed Sunday, June 16. Hernandez, a native of Veracruz, Mexico, was celebrating a sixth riding title at Santa Anita, having ridden 36 winners from 176 mounts (20.5%), one clear of Antonio Fresu, who joined the local riding colony just over 14 months ago. The Italian had one last chance to dead-heat with Hernandez, but fell just short in Sunday's 12th and...