Del Mar: Hong Kong Harry is favored to win Seabiscuit Handicap
Steady veteran Hong Kong Harry will be among eight grass runners aiming for the first prize in Saturday’s Grade 2, $200,000 Seabiscuit Handicap at Del Mar.
The 1 1/16 miles proved right up Hong Kong Harry’s alley last year, when the son of the Ireland stallion Es Que Love came running late to score under Flavien Prat.
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The gelding will not have Prat aboard this time. Prat is in Kentucky, where he has calls on live horses in four major stakes in the coming days. Hong Kong Harry should not mind his replacement at all. He teamed with top rider Juan Hernández last out at Santa Anita in the City of Hope Mile (G2) and came away a winner in a photo. Hernández will be aboard once more when they break from post 4 in Saturday’s headliner.
The multiple-stakes winner of more than $775,000 in purses is owned by the partnership of Anastasi, Ukegawa and Valazza and is listed as the 8-5 favorite on the morning line.
2023 Seabiscuit Handicap G2
It appears geldings Easter and Astronomer are the chief threats to the top one.
Easter had been racing out of the barn of top eastern conditioner Graham Motion but has been turned over to top western trainer Phil D’Amato since he proved best in winning a mile, turf test at Santa Anita in October. The France-bred is a five-time winner of more than $327,910 and has a nifty stretch kick.
Astronomer just missed to Hong Kong Harry in the City of Hope in September and then finished far back in 12th in the Breeders’ Cup Mile at Santa Anita on Nov. 4. Simon Callaghan conditions the bay, who will be making only his ninth start in the Seabiscuit.
The feature goes as the seventh of nine races Saturday. The first post is the usual 3:30 p.m. EST, and Seabiscuit is scheduled to go off at 6:25 p.m.