Hong Kong Harry take it to the next level on September 3rd with $302,000 Del Mar Mile (G2T), beat the 2nd grade level with a late rally and a 2 1/4 long win at the hands of Flavien Prat who won four races on Saturday at Del Mar.
5 year old son of Es Que love recovered from a tough runner-up in the July 31st Eddie Read Stakes (G2T) match at Del Mar and continued to improve his form at the beachside gymnasium for coach Phil D’Amato after scoring the first time on June 19 at the American Stakes (G3T) at Santa Anita . Park.
Red Air Force rose to the top in a brief opening quarter at: 22.44, but was quickly lost Goliad got through the hot inning at:45 as Prat spent time in sixth place on the final winning boat. The Goliad opened up the four-way stretch advantage through three-quarters in 1:08.29, but tired on the home leg and ceded the advantage back to the Red Air Force via a 1:21.23 extended seven-seventh split. .
It was that opponent who sensed Hong Kong Harry’s haste as he crossed to finish at 1:33.15 on a solid route. Disqualified 6-5 in the nine-horse race, he returned $4.40 for a $2 winning ticket.
Irideo who rose from fifth to close inside the winner, scoring the second by 1 1/4 of the length, while Mount Cathkin regroup the word even further in the ninth to complete the trio.
“We had a nice trip,” Prat said. “The pace is strong. I was lucky enough to be able to drop inside the lap, and he ran well when I asked him to. The real leader was far ahead. Obviously. , that’s how he ran last time so I don’t know if he’ll come back to me. I rode this horse for his first race in the country and really liked him a lot. He’s improved a lot and is getting better and better.”
Owned by Scott Anastasi, Jimmy Ukegawa, Tony Valazza, Hong Kong Harry improved his earnings to $415,097 with an 8-2-1 record in 12 starts. He has won four of his five starts in the United States after starting his career with seven starts in Ireland.
D’Amato said: “When the Goliad kicked in the three-eighth column, I didn’t know if it was a super odd endeavor. “Flavien was in the right place. My horse was steaming, leaning and ready to pounce. When he did, I think it was only a matter of time, and he did it stylishly. .”
Hong Kong Harry was raised in Ireland by Amarat Business Management from a mare Gold Away Vital Body Its last reported pony was an unnamed pony by Zodiac .
Video: Del Mar Mile S. (G2T)
