2024 Kentucky Derby Prospect Profiles: Santa Anita Derby Winner Stronghold
Apr 6, 2024 — Stronghold, a neck winner of the $750,000 Santa Anita Derby on April 6 earned 100 points toward qualifying for the 2024 Kentucky Derby with that win and currently sits in fourth place on the latest Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard, thus guaranteeing him a spot in the starting gate.
Phil D’Amato is a California-based trainer best known for his knack with turf runners such as Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint winner Obviously and Grade 1 winners like Bowies Hero, Midnight Storm, Gold Phoenix, Going Global, Count Again, and Hunt. Stronghold would be his first starter in the Kentucky Derby.
Stronghold as longshot in Kentucky Derby? That’s fine with D’Amato
Apr 8, 2024 — Unbeaten in two starts in the West in 2024, Stronghold, the winner of Saturday’s Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby, will be rated as a longshot when he starts in the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 4.
That’s cool with trainer Phil D’Amato, “I don’t mind going in under the radar,” D’Amato said. “I have faith in my horse. I’ll focus on him.”
Stronghold gives trainer D’Amato and jockey Fresu a spot in the Kentucky Derby
Apr 8, 2024 — The field for the Kentucky Derby firmed up Saturday on the last day of major prep races and, despite some doubts, California will have a horse in the race.
Stronghold needed at least a third-place finish to get in the first leg of the Triple Crown but did even better with a stirring stretch drive that propelled the 3-year-old colt to a win by a neck in the $750,000 Santa Anita Derby. The win was worth 100 qualifying points.
It will be the first trip to the Kentucky Derby for both trainer Phil D’Amato and jockey Antonio Fresu.
D’Amato’s Granny Budgie Rallies to Take $67,000 Santa Anita Allowance Feature
March 4, 2024 — Well beaten in her U.S. debut last month, Phil D’Amato’s English-bred Granny Budgie showed marked improvement in Monday’s $67,000 Santa Anita allowance feature as she rallied for a three quarter length victory under Victor Espinoza, getting six furlongs over a turf course upgraded to “firm” in 1:09.67.
“She needed that last race, it was her first race in this country and I think it tightened her up a lot for this spot today,” said D’Amato, who registered his second turf win on the day and his 18th of the meet.
Stronghold has D’Amato on Kentucky Derby Trail
Feb 23, 2023 — While top Santa Anita-based trainer Phil D’Amato has never had a starter in the Kentucky Derby, that could change this year following Stronghold’s victory in the G3 Sunland Park Derby this past Sunday in New Mexico. With 25 points in all, he now ranks fourth on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard.
“We don’t have a race targeted at this point. We’re going to look at all the preps and try to find the right one that gives us a chance to make the Kentucky Derby,” D’Amato said.
Stronghold Too Much for Rivals in Sunland Park Derby
Feb 18, 2024 — Twice a bridesmaid in stakes company Stronghold defeated his rivals in a commanding performance for his first black-type score in the Feb. 18 $400,000 Sunland Park Derby (G3).
“It’s only his second race going long, he’s still learning but hopefully this race should do him a load of good,” trainer Phil D’Amato said of Stronghold. D’Amato indicated that Stronghold would have one more prep that would “hopefully lead us to the Kentucky Derby.”
D’Amato’s Newgrange Wins San Pasqual Stakes Second Straight Year
Jan 28, 2024 — Trainer Phil D’Amato kept Newgrange home at Santa Anita Park for the Jan. 27 San Pasqual Stakes (G2) instead of shipping to Florida for the Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1), and the strategy is paying off. Newgrange won his second consecutive San Pasqual and is poised for a host of options for his next start, which, if the enthusiastic owners have their way, will be the Dubai World Cup (G1).
“Victor [Espinoza] just did it with tremendous ease,” D’Amato said. “Victor was aboard, and his eyes were lit up when he came back and so were mine. As a trainer, you can’t ask for anything better than that coming into a big race.”
Honey Pants lead D’Amato exacta in Las Ciénegas
Jan 15, 2024 — Southern California’s turf king Phil D’Amato struck again when his runners finished 1-2 in the $100,000 Las Cienegas Stakes (G3T) Jan. 14 at Santa Anita Park. It was the less heralded of the two runners, 18-1 shot Honey Pants , who prevailed over favored Elm Drive in a dramatic blanket finish for the victory.
D’Amato’s Lucky Girl Rallies From Behind to Take $80,000 Swingtime Stakes
Oct 9, 2023 — Far back early and with a fast pace to run at, it was conditions to order for Irish-bred Lucky Girl, who rallied furiously to get up and win Monday’s $80,000 Swingtime Stakes by a half length, getting one mile on turf under Joe Bravo in 1:34.07.
“I think just giving her time off from (age) two to three, that’s what really helped her and just maturity,” said D’Amato. “I have to give my wife Sherrie a lot of credit for this. She’s learned to gallop her in draw reins, and I think that has helped her a lot as well. I think you can see her progression from her races earlier in her career to now.”
Conclude, Phil D’Amato wins Del Mar Derby
Sept 3, 2023 — Death, taxes and Philip D’Amato on the grass. Can’t go wrong betting Del Mar’s leading trainer in any race, but especially when he’s got the even-money favorite in a stakes race.
“A masterful ride by Hector, letting that other horse (Justin’s Legacy) go and then making that move at the three-quarters pole to get him comfortable on the lead,” D’Amato said. “He’s a tough horse. The mile and an eighth is where he wants to be at. Anywhere in that mile-to-mile-and-an-eighth range, he’s going to be a top-class horse down the road.”
D’Amato’s Motorious Takes The Green Flash Handicap (Grade III)
Sept 3, 2023 — This was the first victory in the Green Flash for trainer D’Amato. He now has 48 stakes victories at Del Mar.
“I’m proud of all my horses. They all fired but this horse today was a cut above. We’ll gladly take the ticket to the Breeders’ Cup. I thought maybe he (Franco) was waiting a little too long but I think he knew what he had under him and when he asked him he exploded. We got a lot of pace to run at and Geovanni just found his stride and once he pressed the button, he was gone,” said trainer Phil D’Amato.
Del Mar Handicap (Grade II) D’Amato’s Gold Phoenix For The Win
Sept 3, 2023 — This stakes win was the fifth of the meet for rider Juan Hernandez and the fifth of the session for trainer Phil D’Amato.
“He was loaded and looked like he had the perfect split. I just love how confident Juan (Hernandez) rode him. Did a great job. Juan and I have had good luck over the years. I haven’t used him much at the meet but I used him at the right time,” shared trainer Phil D’Amato.
On a roll, D’Amato updates on 10 stakes winners
Aug 2, 2023 – Phil D’Amato had his best year ever last year, by far, with an earnings total was just shy of $12 million and 23 graded-stakes wins.
And this year is shaping up as another good one, with 12 graded-stakes wins and earnings above $5.6 million. He won the Santa Anita training title (again) and is at the top of the leaderboard at Del Mar (again).
D’Amato Hits A Grand Slam With The Eddie Read Stakes
July 23, 2023 — Philip D’Amato is a heavy hitter when it comes to turf racing and the 47-year-old trainer hit a grand slam Sunday at Del Mar, sending out the top four finishers in the $250,000 Grade II Eddie Read Stakes.
“I think I’ve come in 1-2-3, but I don’t ever recall 1-2-3-4,” D’Amato said in the winner’s circle after jockey Hector Berrios rode 9-2 shot Gold Phoenix to the victory. “I love this race. The Eddie Read has been very good to me over the years. I’ve won it a few times with some really nice horses and it’s just special to win it again.”
D’Amato Continues Success at Del Mar
July 22, 2023 — A lot goes into being a successful Thoroughbred trainer. You have to be good with the horses. You have to know how to handle the different owners and the media. You must be good at organizing the dozens of employees needed to keep the operation running smoothly and you have to juggle it all with your personal life.
Philip D’Amato appears to have found the right formula, right down to getting his son to golf lessons on time.
D’Amato-trained Conclude wins Del Mar’s Oceanside Stakes
July 21, 2023 — Hats off to trainer Philip D’Amato, who saddled the winner of the $100,000 Oceanside Stakes for the second consecutive year and third time overall as Del Mar raised the curtain on its 84th summer meet Friday.
D’Amato continued his dominance of turf racing in Southern California when Conclude, a 9-2 shot, scored his second consecutive stakes victory while stretching out to two turns for the first time in five races.
D’Amato Is Top Trainer
June 19, 2023 — In the trainer’s division, Phil D’Amato topped his competitors with 17 wins, two clear of Doug O’Neill’s 15 and three more than Mark Glatt, who finished with 14. D’Amato also led all conditioners at this year’s Classic Meet, giving him five overall training titles at Santa Anita. The native of San Pedro, Calif., also led the Hollywood Meet by stakes-won, with five victories, one better than Richard Mandella and Bob Baffert.
Macadamia Takes The GIII Wilshire S. Sunday at Santa Anita
April 30, 2023 — D’Amato trained filly, Macadamia, got the jump on her fellow closers coming into the lane and turned the tables on familiar face Quattroelle to take the GIII Wilshire S. Sunday at Santa Anita and pick up her first graded victory in the United States.
“These South American fillies, horses in general, they seem to be really hearty horses and I’m lucky to have her,” said winning trainer Phil D’Amato. “We will enjoy the moment, there’s a Grade I here in a month, so we will see what our options are and figure out a game plan.”
Trainer Phil D’Amato Picks Up Third Gold Rush Weekend Stakes
April 30, 2023 — The $75,000 Campanile Stakes for California-bred or sired 3-year-old fillies produced a thrilling finish and a photo to determine the winner. In the end, dark bay or brown filly Carole Lombard picked up the gold prize by a head.
The winning trainer of Carole Lombard, Phil D’Amato, had three stakes wins on Gold Rush Weekend. He trains Alice Marble and Balnikhov, winner of the $250,000 Grade 3 San Francisco Mile on Saturday.
Santa Anita’s Meet Closes With D’Amato on Top
April 11, 2023 — Santa Anita‘s 43-day Classic Meet, which began Dec. 26, drew to a close April 9, with Juan Hernandez atop the jockey’s division, and Phil D’Amato bagging yet another training title.
D’Amato, who has become a dominant force on turf, in large part with Irish-breds, enjoyed another tremendous meeting, winning 32 races, five better than Bob Baffert.
D’Amato’s Classical Cat Finds Daylight, Surges to Win Eddie Logan
Dec 30, 2023 –Michael House’s ground-saving Classical Cat found daylight in splitting rivals at the top of the lane and wore down midstretch leader First Peace to win the $100,500 Eddie Logan Stakes by a half-length Dec. 30 at Santa Anita Park.
“Down the road, we want to make him maybe our Del Mar Derby (G2T) kind of horse (over the summer) and go from there,” trainer Phil D’Amato said of long-term goals.
Surging Rhea Moon Secures Grade 1 Win For D’Amato in American Oaks
Dec 26, 2022 — D’Amato decided to strike while the iron was hot, entering Rhea Moon in the field of 11 fillies for the American Oaks.
Rhea Moon proved up to the challenge as she surged from fifth in the final furlong Dec. 26 at Santa Anita Park to post a victory by a head over stablemate School Dance in the $303,000 American Oaks (G1T) for 3-year-old fillies.
D’Amato’s Hong Kong Harry Surges Late to Take Swift Seabiscuit
Nov 27, 2022 — Trainer Phil D’Amato says Hong Kong Harry is “not the prettiest horse,” but he certainly admired the gelding’s effort and that of jockey Flavien Prat in engineering a come-from-behind win in the $251,500 Seabiscuit Handicap (G2T) Nov. 26 at Del Mar.
“This horse has got a heart of gold,” trainer Phil D’Amato said.
Prince Abama Takes The Hollywood Turf Cup Win For D’Amato
Nov 26, 2022 — Trainer Phil D’Amato became the first trainer since John Gosden almost four decades ago to win back-to-back editions of the Hollywood Turf Cup Stakes (G2T) with jockey Flavien Prat.
Prince Abama captured his first lifetime stakes victory in a scenario increasingly familiar in Southern California: D’Amato winning turf stakes with an Irish bred.
D’Amato looks to keep hot streak going at Del Mar meet
Nov 11, 2022 — When Phil D’Amato drove off the Del Mar Fairgrounds in September, he brought with him a share of the trainers’ title from the summer meet and arguably the hottest barn in Southern California. Since then, the lineup has changed a bit, but D’Amato again brings a formidable force to the fall meet, which gets underway Friday.
“We’re bringing 40 horses down to Del Mar to train there through the remainder of the meet,” D’Amato says. “A nice array of 2-year-olds to older horses, allowance and stakes horses as well. We have them ready for all those nice races you have there.”
From Kentucky to Arcadia, A Grand Slam For D’Amato
Oct 31, 2022 — Santa Anita Stable Notes Sunday, October 30, 2022. Phil D’Amato enjoys a record four stakes wins, three of them graded, on Saturday. A personal high, his three wins locally gave him 12 victories overall at Santa Anita.
D’Amato leads all Santa Anita conditioners with eight stakes wins through 14 racing days.
D’Amato Reacts to Goldikova Stakes Win @santaanitapark
Oct 29, 2022 — “She’s just the epitome of a champion in my heart. She’s done so much for me. She’s won many graded stakes in stylish fashion and she’s probably the best grass filly I’ve ever trained.” Trainer @PhilDamato11 after Going Global wins the GII Goldikova Stakes. @umbyrispoli
Before Sale, Going Global Takes Santa Anita’s Goldikova Stakes
Oct 29, 2022 — Back at her preferred distance, Phil D’Amato’s Going Global was nothing short of brilliant Saturday in her successful defense of the Grade 2, $200,000 Goldikova Stakes at Santa Anita, winning by 1 1/2 lengths.
In what figured to be her career finale, the diminutive, 4-year-old, Ireland-bred filly got one mile on turf in 1:33.85 under Umberto Rispoli.
D’Amato Sends Out a Trio in Santa Anita’s John Henry Turf Championship
Sept 30, 2022 — Phil D’Amato has 10 horses entered on Saturday’s lucrative 10-race program, and if he triumphs at his current frequency, he’ll have to double-time it to pose for winner’s circle pictures.
The 46-year-old trainer, fresh from tying Bob Baffert for Del Mar’s training title with 19 victories each, and coming off a rousing 52-win campaign at Santa Anita in 2020-21, has three horses entered in the Grade II John Henry Turf Championship, a race he won in 2014 and 2019.
D’Amato Prominent Among Top Trainers As Santa Anita’s Autumn Meet Set To Open Friday
Sept 26, 2022 — With entry time for Friday’s opener less than 24 hours away, Santa Anita’s 18-day Autumn Meet will once again showcase some of the nation’s top jockeys and trainers as world class racing will again be center stage in Arcadia through Sunday, Nov. 6.
Phil D’Amato, Bob Baffert, Doug O’Neill and Peter Miller can always be counted upon to contend for leading honors.
D’Amato Credits Riders & Stable Staff For Trainers’ Title at Del Mar
Sept 12, 2022 — In typical humble fashion, Phil D’Amato has deflected praise to his stable staff after winning the trainers’ title alongside Bob Baffert for the Del Mar summer meet.
“You’re only as good as your help. I’ve got excellent exercise riders and assistants,” he told HorseBetting.com.au. “They’re the reasons why we’re such a good team.”
Hong Kong Harry, Gold Phoenix Take Del Mar Turf Stakes For D’Amato
Sept 4, 2022 — Trainer Phil D’Amato and jockey Flavien Prat swept two stakes Sept. 3 at Del Mar.
Hong Kong Harry took it to the next level Sept. 3 in the $302,000 Del Mar Mile (G2T) and, for the seventh time in the last nine years, D’Amato won the 1 3/8-mile, $303,000 Del Mar Handicap Presented by The Japan Racing Association (G2T) in a head-bobbing thriller.
D’Amato Takes One and Two in Friday’s Main Event at Del Mar
Sept 2, 2022 — Trainer Phil D’Amato has one of the most active stables at Del Mar. He’s just a bit shy of having run 100 horses at the meet through its first 25 days. But Friday he only saddled two runners all day and they were both in the same race.
He really didn’t need to do anymore.
D’Amato says Classical Cat will likely point to Del Mar Futurity
Aug 21, 2022 — Classical Cat, owned by Michael House and trained by Phil D’Amato, closed from third of eight to win by 2 1/2 lengths, paying $13.20. D’Amato said Sunday that Classical Cat is under consideration for the Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity on Sept. 11 or the Grade 1 American Pharoah Stakes at 1 1/16 miles at Santa Anita on Oct. 8.
“I would say plan A would be the futurity,” D’Amato said.
D’Amato’s Irish Connection Comes Through in Thursday Headliner at Del Mar
Aug 19, 2022 — Over the past several years, trainer Phil D’Amato has established an Irish connection that has proven special when it comes to winning races on the Southern California circuit.
He did it again Thursday at Del Mar.
D’Amato’s Going Global looks sharp in winning Yellow Ribbon
Aug 14, 2022 — Going Global has won more stakes than she has lost in the last 18 months she has raced in California. Few of her preceding stakes wins were as sharp as her performance in Saturday’s Grade 2 Yellow Ribbon Handicap at Del Mar.
“I thought Umberto had her perfectly placed from the get-go,” trainer Phil D’Amato said. “When he asked her, she responded.”
Umberto Rispoli and Phil D’Amato are staying red hot at Del Mar
July 23, 2022 — Trainer Phil D’Amato had four horses entered in the Del Mar feature Saturday afternoon — and went 1-2-3.
“Winning for D’Amato is good,” said Rispoli. “He’s been one of my main backers. Winning at Del Mar is good. This is such a happy place … the people love it here.”
D’Amato reacts to Oceanside Stakes win @TVG
D’Amato brings Rispoli back to home turf at Del Mar on opening day
July 22, 2022 — “Umberto fits this horse really well,” winning trainer Phil D’Amato said. “I think the key to Balnikhov is get him to settle, save ground and then come with his run. He sat a good trip and was able to use his turn of foot late to get the job done.”
D’Amato Keeps Rolling in Oceanside With Balnikhov
July 22, 2022 — Coming off a record-breaking meet at Santa Anita Park, the stellar wave of Phil D’Amato momentum crashed upon the shores of Del Mar as Balnikhov swept to victory in the July 22 Oceanside Stakes on Opening Day.
Imports Play a Key Role in Phil D’Amato’s Winning Strategy
July 18, 2022 — Plenty of imports into the clogged Southern California shipping terminals of Los Angeles and Long Beach have been left idle these past few months. Imports into the Southern California stable of Phil D’Amato, on the other hand, have been far more effectively commandeered.
“It’s trying to get those diamonds in the rough at the right time for the right price and Dundalk seems to be the right venue to do that,” says D’Amato.
Barn Tour: Top trainer Philip D’Amato shares summer plans
July 7, 2022 — Phil D’Amato earned his second consecutive Santa Anita winter-spring meet training title when racking up 63 winners from 284 starters, a 22 percent strike rate.
“It means a lot,” D’Amato said of the accomplishment Wednesday. “We have a really good team and it takes an honest effort day in and day out to get the results we’ve gotten.”
NEWS: D’Amato named Santa Anita Park’s 2022 Leading Trainer
Congratulations to Philip D’Amato for being acknowledged as Santa Anita Park’s 2022 Leading Trainer with 61 wins!
D’Amato Registers His 16th Stakes Win On Closing Day
June 20, 2022 — With an explosive turn of foot turning for home, diminutive Irish-bred Hong Kong Harry remained unbeaten in three stateside starts as he registered his first graded stakes win in taking Sunday’s Grade III, $100,000 American Stakes by three quarters of a length which gave meet leading trainer Phil D’Amato his 16th stakes win and a Winter/Spring record 63rd overall victory.
D’Amato Gets Record 57th Training Win With Carpe Vinum
June 18, 2022 — A dominant force throughout Santa Anita’s Winter/Spring Meet dating back to opening day, Dec. 26, trainer Phil D’Amato won his record 57th race on day 74 Friday as his Carpe Vinum rallied for a 2 ¼ length victory in the day’s $72,000 allowance feature.
D’Amato Breaks Santa Anita Meet Record for Wins
June 18, 2022 — Although the Santa Anita Park winter/spring meet is not yet complete—closing day is June 19—trainer Phil D’Amato is already assured of a record-breaking meet for victories.
Trainer D’Amato having year to remember
June 17, 2022 — It’s been a dream year so far for trainer Philip D’Amato, who watched his stepdaughter, Jessica Pyfer, win the Eclipse Award as the nation’s top apprentice jockey on the night of Feb. 10 and is on the verge of setting a record for most victories during a single meet at Santa Anita.
Going Global Could Top Banner Meet for D’Amato
May 28, 2022 — Trainer Phil D’Amato is enjoying a banner year at Santa Anita Park, landing the Frank E. Kilroe Mile Stakes (G1T) with Count Again and the Santa Anita Oaks (G2) with Desert Dawn , in addition to a handful of other graded stakes contests with Leggs Galore , Miss Bigly , and with May 30 $400,000 Gamely Stakes (G1T) favorite Going Global.
Elm Drive Prevails in Angel’s Flight for D’Amato
May 11, 2022 — The Phil D’Amato train not only rolls on, it’s picking up steam, as the trainer knocked down his second stakes win of the weekend May 8 in the $75,000 Angel’s Flight Stakes at Santa Anita Park.
Phil D’Amato’s Trainee Island of Love Rallies for Win In Senorita Stakes
May 11, 2022 — The beaten favorite in two previous stakes, Irish-bred Island of Love put it all together in the May 7 $100,000 Senorita Stakes (G3T) at Santa Anita Park. Conditioned by leading trainer Phil D’Amato and ridden for the first time by Juan Hernandez, Island of Love got one mile on turf in 1:35.35. “Juan just put her in the right position today, gave her a chance to win,” said D’Amato, who rang up his 37th win of the day.