Graded stakes success for Motorious

This article originally appeared in BloodHorse, written by Joe Perez, and has been adapted.

A 220,000gns purchase by Boomer Bloodstock for Tony Fanticola at the 2021 Tattersalls HIT Sale, ever since he came over from Great Britain, all Motorious has done is hit the board. 

That trend continued on 5th March as the son of Muhaarar took home his first Graded stakes win, the US$101,000 G3 San Simeon Stakes (turf) at Santa Anita Park, pulling away for a 2 1/4-length triumph in 1:11.34. He is 3-2-1 in six starts in the United States for trainer Phil D’Amato.

Multiple graded stakes winner Brickyard Ride , who was returning to the track after a nine-month layoff, made it appear early on as if the time away served him well. He kept the eventual winner at bay by as much as two lengths coming down the hill in this 6 1/2-furlong challenge for 4-year-olds and up. Brickyard Ride opened with fractions of :21.46 and :43.01.

But a stalking Prat and Motorious found their spot once they crossed over the dirt track and entered the stretch. Moving outside of the leader, Motorious had plenty of motor to leave no doubt about the outcome as he put Brickyard Ride away and drew clear.

“I thought if we had a chance to beat him, it would be off the layoff,” D’Amato said. “We had a really nice post, and last time, we were just stuck on the inside. Made sure Flavien got him in the race and in the right position to get the job done, and he did a masterful job.”

Prat added: “He broke well and I was able to get myself right behind Brickyard Ride, so I was pleased with that. Obviously, I can’t let Brickyard Ride do his own thing in the first part, but I kind of wanted to get the jump on him and kind of surprise him. From that point, my horse was really brave and got to the wire.”