D’Amato looks for a perfect trip for Midnight Storm in the Gold Cup

Trainer Phil D’Amato hopes Midnight Storm gets an ideal trip from his number five post position under new rider Flavien Prat in Saturday’s Grade I, $500,000 Gold Cup at Santa Anita for three-year-olds and up at a mile and a quarter.

“Flavien breezed him the other day and got to know him a little bit,” D’Amato said of the six-year-old son of Pioneerof the Nile, who, with 10 wins from 23 starts, has earned $1,681,110.

“It’s going to be a very tactical race up front, and our horse can kind of do it all. He can be on the lead or he can track a little bit. He’s ready to go and in Flavien’s hands.”

The Gold Cup, race nine of 10 with a first post time of 1 p.m.: $10,000 supplemental nominee American Freedom, Martin Garcia, 4-1; Follow Me Crev, Kent Desormeaux, 4-1; Texas Ryano, Gary Stevens, 15-1; Prime Attraction, Jamie Theriot, 30-1; Midnight Storm, Flavien Prat, 5-2; Cupid, Rafael Bejarano, 6-1; Big John B, Mike Smith, 8-1; Accelerate, Tyler Baze, 4-1; and 2015 Gold Cup winner Hard Aces, Santiago Gonzalez, 8-1.

Home Run Kitten makes his first start in nearly 10 months in Saturday’s Grade III, $150,000 Daytona Stakes for three-year-olds and up at about 6 ½ furlongs on turf.

The six-year-old son of prolific grass stallion Kitten’s Joy runs well fresh, however, and trainer David Hofmans is hopeful the chestnut full horse owned by principal owner Tarabilla Farms continues that trend.

“He’s coming back fresh and strong, but it’s really a tough race he’s in,” Hofmans said. “I have no other place to run him right now, so here we are.”

Hofmans said Home Run Kitten’s extended absence was due to a foot problem incurred after his last race, the Grade I Bing Crosby on dirt at Del Mar July 31, 2016, “but he’s OK now.”

The Daytona: Ambitious Brew, Mike Smith, 5-2; Blackjackcat, Rafael Bejarano, 8-1; Eddie Haskell, Mario Gutierrez, 10-1; Roy H, Edwin Maldonado, 4-1; Home Run Kitten, Joe Talamo, 6-1; and Stormy Liberal, Norberto Arroyo Jr., 6-5.

On Memorial Day, Monday, fans can offer their thanks to active and former service members and help support the local Veterans’ Memorial, sponsored by the Rotary Club Foundation of Arcadia.

A $5 donation (all proceeds go directly to the Veterans’ Memorial) includes General Admission to Santa Anita Park, a program, access to special trackside seating, and walking tours to the Paddock and Winner’s Circle throughout the day.

Delicious BBQ will also be available for purchase. Veterans or active military with valid Military ID will receive a voucher good for a free lunch, courtesy of Santa Anita horse owners, industry personnel, and Santa Anita Park. The BBQ menu ($12 per meal) offers spare ribs or pulled pork and two sides from a choice of three: baked beans, potato salad or cole slaw, plus a slice of white bread, pickles and onions.

The Rotary Club of Arcadia is spearheading an effort to build a local Veterans’ Memorial. The Field of Honor Project, involving 1,000 American Flags displayed at CountyPark at the corner of Huntington and Santa Anita during the week preceding Memorial Day will help to raise funds.

Those wishing to participate or donate should make their contribution to The Arcadia Rotary Club Foundation, Veterans’ Memorial Fund.

Please visit http://www.santaanita.com/events/memorial-day-charity-trackside/ for more information.