Whilst Mage captured the headlines in the 149th Kentucky Derby, two successful Boomer Bloodstock purchases earned some notable stripes on the undercard of America’s most historic race day, both for California’s leading trainer Phil D’Amato.
Immediately preceding the Derby was the $1M G1 Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic Stakes – step forward the brilliant Hong Kong Harry.
Now a 6-year-old, Hong Kong Harry was purchased for 85,000gns (US$122,768) by Boomer Bloodstock in 2021 at Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale from the Musley Bank Stables consignment for owners Scott Anastasi, Jimmy Ukegawa, and Tony Valazza.
He captured his first Graded stakes on just his third start on American soil in the middle of last year. Since then he has been incredibly consistent, winning two G2 events from just three attempts, and finishing outside the top two for the first time when 4th in the G1 Frank E. Kilroe Mile Stakes last start.
Stepping into G1 company for the second time on Saturday, he earned a well-deserved elite-level placing when following home Up To The Mark to finish second after stumbling out of the gate. He has now earned $219,000 so far this year, taking his career total to $789,097.
Another that has been remarkably consistent since arriving from the UK is Motorious. Never outside the top three since landing in America, he soon broke through for his maiden Graded Stakes in the G3 San Simeon Stakes at Santa Anita in March.
Also making his Churchill Downs debut on Saturday, he sliced through the pack in the $500k G2 Twin Spires Turf Sprint Stakes in a mighty show of heart. Gaining all the time, the line came just too soon for him and he settled for second on his first attempt at G2 level.
A 220,000gns (US$292,000) purchase by Boomer Bloodstock for Tony Fanticola at the 2021 Tattersalls HIT Sale, the son of Muhaarar has now earned $219,000 this year, with further Graded Stakes success surely only around the corner.
