Bendable Upsets Enola Gray at Los Alamitos
Claiborne Farm's Bendable, off the first loss of her career, handed Enola Gray her first defeat Sept. 11 in the $75,000 Beverly J. Lewis Stakes at Los Alamitos Race Course.
Phil Damato
News, Articles, Videos and other content about Phil Damato
Enola Gray Tries Open Company at Los Al
After a minor illness knocked her out of the Torrey Pines (gr. III) at Del Mar Aug. 28, Nick Alexander's undefeated Enola Gray will take another shot at her first start against open company Sept. 11 in the Beverly J. Lewis Stakes.
California Chrome Named Del Mar Horse of Meet
California Chrome was the unanimous choice as Del Mar's Horse of the Meeting for 2016.
Unbeaten Enola Gray Steps Up in Torrey Pines
Nick Alexander's homebred Enola Gray will take an undefeated record into the $100,000 Torrey Pines Stakes (gr. III) Aug. 28 at Del Mar, but the lightly raced Grazen filly will be up against the toughest field she's ever faced.
Midnight Storm Speeds to Del Mar Mile Victory
A Veneri Racing and Little Red Feather Racing's Midnight Storm put in a repeat performance on the Southern California grass Aug. 21 to win the $200,000 Del Mar Mile Handicap (gr. IIT) in front-running fashion.
Midnight Storm Takes Streak into Del Mar Mile
Midnight Storm has been rolling of late, with back-to-back scores in the Shoemaker Mile (gr. IT) and Eddie Read (gr. IIT), but could face a challenge for his ideal spot at the front of the pack July 21 in the $200,000 Del Mar Mile (gr. IIT).
Quality Field to Contest Del Mar Handicap
Multiple graded stakes winners Ashleyluvssugar, Flamboyant, and Finnegans Wake will take the logical step forward on the Del Mar turf schedule for a run in the Del Mar Handicap (gr. IIT) Aug. 20.
Enola Gray Still Perfect After Del Mar Run
Nick Alexander's homebred Enola Gray continued her blitz through the Californa-bred ranks July 22 in the $150,000 Fleet Treat Stakes at Del Mar.
'Vegas,' Be Mine Meet Again in San Clemente
A head and a nose apart in their last two outings, Stays in Vegas and Be Mine will once again do battle in the $200,000 San Clemente Handicap (gr. IIT) July 23 at Del Mar.
Midnight Storm Game in Eddie Read Win
There's something about the Del Mar turf course that brings out the best in A Venneri Racing and Little Red Feather Racing's Midnight Storm.
Flamboyant Back in SoCal For Eddie Read
David Bienstock and Chuck Winner's Flamboyant just started to hit his stride early in 2016, when he shipped overseas for the Dubai Turf (UAE-I) in March.
Coppa Game in Victory Ride Stakes Score
Undefeated Coppa proved up to the test in her first graded stakes try, holding off stretch challengers to her inside and outside to win the $150,000 Victory Ride Stakes (gr. III) July 9 at Belmont Park.
Lost Raven Takes Win Streak into Victory Ride
Repole Stable homebred Lost Raven will look to win her third straight stakes July 9 in the $150,000 Victory Ride Stakes (gr. III), but the Uncle Mo filly will have to take on an intriguing invader from the West in the 6 1/2-furlong test.
Vyjack Moves West to D'Amato
Vyjack, previously trained on the East Coast by Bill Mott, logged a half-mile drill in :47 2/5 June 23 at Santa Anita Park, the fastest of 68 works at the distance in his first move for D'Amato.
Obviously All the Way in Poker Stakes
Anthony Fanticola and Joseph Scardino's Obviously (IRE) returned from a four-month break between races and led gate to wire to win the $300,000 Poker Stakes (gr. IIIT) on the turf at Belmont Park.
Stays in Vegas, Be Mine Back for Honeymoon
Stays in Vegas and Be Mine, only a head apart last time out in the Senorita (gr. IIIT) May 7, will be back for another graded grass stakes at Santa Anita Park June 19 in the $200,000 Honeymoon (gr. IIT).
Songbird Back for Summertime Oaks
A low-grade fever may have knocked Fox Hill Farms' undefeated champion Songbird out of the Longines Kentucky Oaks (gr. I), but her 3-year-old campaign will restart June 18 in the $200,000 Summertime Oaks (gr. II) at Santa Anita Park.
Midnight Storm Gets Shoemaker Mile Revenge
Midnight Storm lost the $400,000 Shoemaker Mile (gr. IT) last year by a half-length, but this time he would not be denied.
Lani Works for Belmont, Three Shippers Arrive
Koji Maeda's UAE Derby (UAE-II) winner Lani turned in a characteristically lengthy breeze early the morning of June 1 at Belmont Park, his penultimate work for the $1.5 million Belmont Stakes (gr. I) on June 11.
Enola Gray Passes Two-Turn Test in Melair
Stepping up into stakes competition off a standout debut score, Nick Alexander's homebred Enola Gray didn't disappoint in the $200,000 Melair Stakes May 28 at Santa Anita Park.
Adventist, Unified Meet in Peter Pan
Adventist and Unified may find a tough contender in Federico Tesio runner-up Governor Malibu in the May 14 Peter Pan Stakes (gr. II) at Belmont Park.
Fanticola Up to Defend Royal Heroine Title
A wide-open field of 14 will contest the May 5 $200,000 Royal Heroine Stakes (gr. IIT) at Santa Anita Park.
Attendance Up, Handle Down for Santa Anita
Santa Anita Park saw a significant increase in on-track attendance and a slight decrease in all-sources handle when its 2015-2016 winter meet came to a close April 10.
Big John B Closes for Tokyo City Victory
Michael House's Big John B has only raced on dirt twice in his last 36 starts, but he seems to take to the surface just fine.
Big John B Back to Dirt for Tokyo City Cup
Michael House's Big John B has only raced on dirt once in his past 35 starts, but that lone start -- a score in last year's Cougar II Handicap (gr. III) at Del Mar -- was one of his best.
California Invaders in for Fair Grounds Oaks
Seemingly doing all they can to get as far away from undefeated Songbird as possible, Southern California residents Land Over Sea and Street Fancy will head to New Orleans for the $400,000 Fair Grounds Oaks (gr. II) March 26.
Big John B Tops San Luis Rey Field
Michael House's three-time graded stakes winner Big John B will look to regain his impressive form from the recent past in the $200,000 San Luis Rey Stakes (gr. IIT) March 13 at Santa Anita Park.
Young Turf Trio Tries Obviously in Arcadia
Om, Prospect Park, and Bolo are scheduled to make their 4-year-old debuts in the Arcadia Stakes, but they'll all be encountering older horses for the first time.
Songbird Ready for 2016 Debut in Las Virgenes
Fox Hill Farms' undefeated Songbird will make her 2016 debut in the $300,000 Las Virgenes Stakes (gr. II) Feb. 6 and will again be a commanding favorite when the gates open at Santa Anita Park.
Grade I Winners Square Off in San Gabriel
Two grade I winners will go toe-to-toe in the $200,000 San Gabriel Stakes (gr. IIT) Jan. 2 at Santa Anita Park, but they couldn't differ more in style and experience.
Toowindytohaulrox Springs 21-1 Daytona Upset
Queen Bee Racing's Toowindytohaulrox provided an opening-day shocker Dec. 26 at Santa Anita Park, unleashing a furious closing drive in the stretch to win the $100,000 Daytona Stakes (gr. IIIT) at odds of 21-1.
Street Fancy Bursts to Starlet Score
Agave Racing Stable's Street Fancy went from maiden winner to grade I winner Dec. 12, taking the $300,000 Starlet Stakes (gr. I) at Los Alamitos Race Course with a strong late burst of speed.
Del Mar Sees Daily Handle Drop for Fall Meet
At the conclusion of its second fall season since the closure of Hollywood Park, Del Mar saw a decrease in daily average handle for the five-week stand when compared with last fall's four-week slate.
Midnight Storm Returns to Form in Seabiscuit
After less-than-ideal runs in his last three graded stakes tries, Midnight Storm returned to form in standout fashion Nov. 27 at Del Mar, but he also showed a slightly different dimension.
Fillies Seek First Graded Score in Durante
A full field of juvenile fillies will seek their first graded score in the $100,000 Jimmy Durante Stakes (gr. IIIT) Nov. 28 at Del Mar.
D'Amato Turf Workers Breeze Easy for BC
With two of just four turf workers Oct. 25 at Santa Anita Park, trainer Phil D'Amato was intentionally easy on his expected Breeders' Cup runners.
Songbird 'Wonderful' in Santa Anita Drill
Unbeaten Songbird, the likely favorite in upcoming Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (gr. I) at Keeneland, worked six furlongs in 1:13 3/5 on Santa Anita Park's fast main track Oct. 18 under regular rider Mike Smith.
At Breeders' Cup, Small Farm Beats the Odds
Breeders' Cup Longines Turf (gr. IT) challenger Big John B would the sixth Breeders' Cup starter bred by Florida-based BryLynn Farm.
Woodbine Mile: D' Amato on Obviously
- By Claire Novak
Trainer Phil D' Amato talks about Woodbine Mile (Can-IT) contender Obviously. watch video
Big John B Repeats in Del Mar Handicap
Big John B powered past two rivals in the stretch to win the Del Mar Handicap (gr. IIT) by a widening 1 1/2 lengths, taking the 1 3/8-mile turf race for 3-year-olds and older a second straight year Saturday, Aug. 22.
Obviously Scratched From Del Mar Handicap
After scratching Anthony Fanticola and Joseph Scardino's Obviously from the Aug. 23 Del Mar Mile Handicap, trainer Phil D'Amato said the 7-year-old gelding is doing just fine. The scratch reason was a change of plans.
Obviously Seeks Third Del Mar Mile Tally
Anthony Fanticola and Joseph Scardino's two-time grade I winner Obviously will make his 2015 debut in the Del Mar Mile Handicap (gr. IIT), a race he has won twice, Aug. 23 at Del Mar.
Fanticola Seeking Continued Success in Mabee
Fanticola got the proverbial monkey off her back last time out, earning her first graded score in the Royal Heroine Stakes (gr. IIT), and will look to continue her success in the John C. Mabee Stakes (gr. IIT) Aug. 8.
Big John B Rides Rail to Win Cougar II 'Cap
A switch in surfaces was no problem for Michael House's turf specialist Big John B in the $100,000 Cougar II Handicap (gr. III) July 24 at Del Mar.
Sky Kingdom Takes Third Shot at Cougar II
A third time might be the charm for Westrock Stables' Sky Kingdom, back for yet another run in the $100,000 Cougar II Handicap (gr. III) at Del Mar after finishing second the past two years in a row.
Top Cal-Breds Square Off in Great Lady M.
Los Alamitos Race Course's final graded stakes of its two-week summer meet will feature a pair of California-bred heavyweights in Warren's Veneda and Sunday Rules.
Fanticola, Blingismything Head Royal Heroine
Graded stakes-placed Fanticola and graded stakes winner Blingismything head a field of 10 in the $200,000 Royal Heroine Stakes (gr. IIT) June 27 at Santa Anita Park.
Sunday Rules Speeds to Spring Fever Victory
A step slow to start, Sunday Rules' speed was still too much to beat in the $150,000 Spring Fever Stakes May 23 at Santa Anita Park.
Mitchell Remembered as 'Brilliant Horseman'
Well over 200 people--horsemen, fans, and racetrack regulars--gathered April 20 at Santa Anita Park to remember trainer Mike Mitchell, who died at the age of 66 April 14 after a lengthy battle with brain cancer.
Friends From Racing Recall Trainer Mitchell
On April 15, friends who worked with trainer Mike Mitchell over the years recalled the life of the iconic trainer who worked in Southern California for nearly 40 years.
Most Popular Stories
- Racing's Stars Set for Santa Anita Saturday
- Pinhooking Rookie Scores Big at Keeneland
- Texas Chrome Pointing to Dirt Mile
- Eddie D. Stakes Split Into Divisions
- California Chrome Arrives at Santa Anita
- NBC Will Air Pegasus World Cup
- Songbird Untouchable in Cotillion
- Team Block relocating Fort Prado to Indiana
- Connect Bounces Back in Pennsylvania Derby
- Amid Gloomy Forecast, Illinois Sets Dates
