Del Mar: Conclude stalks and pounces to win Oceanside
Conclude, a Kentucky-bred son of 2017 Pacific Classic winner Collected, scored a smart length and a quarter victory in the $100,000 Oceanside Stakes Friday at Del Mar as the seaside track kicked off its 2023 summer season.
The chestnut colt was handled by Hector Berrios and was saddled by Del Mar’s 2022 training leader Phil D’Amato for owners Little Red Feather Racing, Madaket Stables and Brereton Jones. This was D’Amato’s third victory in the one-mile turf race that has been the track’s traditional opening day headliner for many moons.
Conclude (9-2) tracked early leader Game Time through fractions of 22.17 seconds for the quarter and 46.58 seconds for the half. He engaged the pacesetter in a battle around the far turn, just a head behind the leader as he clicked off three quarters in 1:11.32. Conclude took command in upper stretch, stopping the timer in 1:35.09 for a mile on turf rated firm.
D’Amato also saddled the second-place finisher, 5-2 favorite Classical Cat, who rallied from midfield to cross the finish 1 1/4 lengths behind Conclude. Finishing third, another 1 1/2 lengths back, was 26-1 outsider Ah Jeez.
Conclude is out of 2012 Kentucky Oaks (G1) winner Believe You Can, a daughter of Proud Citizen, and was bred by part-owner Jones. The win in the Oceanside brought his career record to 5: 3-1-0, including two wins at the stakes level. He picked up a winner’s share of $60,000, improving his bankroll to $179,600. He paid $11.40 to his backers as the third betting choice in the race.
"He broke really well; perfect," jockey Berrios said. "I was in a good spot right away and when I took a hold, he just let me. We waited and waited and then when I asked him he went for it. Perfect trip. It all worked out right."
"When he opened up a length or two at the top of the lane I thought he was the horse," trainer D'Amato said after the race. "Classical Cat was coming on pretty good but I think when Conclude felt him he just spurted out again. I’m proud of both my horses."
The Oceanside is the first of a trio of Del Mar turf stakes for sophomores. Next comes the $150,000 La Jolla Handicap (G3) on August 6 at 1 1/16 miles. The final leg of the threesome is the $300,000 Del Mar Derby (G2), which is contested at a 1 1/8 miles and will be presented on Sunday, September 3.