In an emotional, and popular win, for his connections, Hong Kong Harry (Ire) ran down loose pacesetters with ears pricked to score his second graded-stakes victory in the G2 Del Mar Mile S.
A two-time handicap winner at Ayr last year for former conditioner Richard Fahey, he was imported to the states by Boomer Bloodstock after being purchased for 85,000gns at last year’s Tattersalls October Horses of Racing Age Sale. His runner-up effort Sept. 18 at Ayr was his final start for the trainer.
Making his stateside debut Mar. 6 this year for Philip D’Amato, he reeled off three consecutive victories, including Santa Anit’s June 19 G3 American S. and second last out July 31 in the local G2 Eddie Read after getting pinballed around at the break.
Bumping with a rival after breaking inwardly, Hong Kong Harry was an unhurried sixth early as two pacesetters spurted away from the field. As the leaders set sacrificial fractions of :22.44, :45.00, and 1:08.29, the chestnut. topped out in the far turn for a rally, but was forced wider after contact in upper stretch.
Drifting back in as the tired leaders rapidly returned to the field, he inhaled those two nearing the sixteenth pole and won going away with ears pricked by 2 1/4 lengths.
“When Goliad kicked away at the 3/8’s pole, I didn’t know if it was going to be a super freaky effort or not. Flavien was sitting in the right spot,” said D’Amato. “Around the quarter pole, my horse was picking up steam, angling out and ready to kick in. Once he did, I thought it was just a matter of time and he did it stylishly.’
Orginally posted in TDN America: https://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com/pdf/tdn/tdn220904e.pdf
