D'Amato's duo goes a 'perfect' distance in the San Gabriel Stakes
Phil D’Amato has two for the money in Saturday’s San Gabriel Stakes (G2) for 4-year-olds and up going 1 1/8 miles on the Santa Anita Park turf.
The 7-year-old Cleopatra’s Strike, who ran second by a nose in last year’s San Gabriel, was a willing fourth last out in Hollywood Turf Cup (G2) on Dec. 1 at Del Mar. The son of Smart Strike was beaten just a length after holding second into the stretch.
A 5-year-old Overdue, meanwhile, was second midway through the Hollywood Turf Cup but weakened to finish ninth of 10 in the longest start of the Overanalyze gelding's eight-race career.
“I think a mile and a half was too far for both of them last time,” D’Amato said. “Overdue ran really well and was kind of wide the whole race. He looked like a winner at the top of the lane and just hit the wall.
“That showed his distance limitations. Cleopatra’s Strike ran a big race. He was there until the 16th pole and kind of faded. I think a mile and an eighth is perfect for both of them.”
Cleopatra's Strike is the 2-1 morning line favorite in Saturday's San Gabriel, Race 8 on the card. Overdue is 6-1 in a field of seven where the longest morning line shot is just 10-1.