Santa Anita: Ottoman Prince makes first U.S. start in San Simeon

In a field of largely familiar faces, the big unknown in Saturday’s Grade 3, $100,000 San Simeon Stakes on the hillside turf course at Santa Anita is European import Ottoman Prince.

Bred in Ireland, the 4-year-old gelding by Zoffany makes his U.S. debut for top turf trainer Phil D’Amato. In England, Ottoman Prince won three of six starts with one runner-up finish for trainer Mark Prescott. When last seen at Epsom in October, he won a 1 1/16-mile Handicap Stakes by 2 1/2 lengths under 130 pounds.

“Nice horse. He kind of reminds me a little bit of the horse I have Motorious,” D’Amato said Thursday morning.

Motorious won last year’s San Simeon and also Green Flash (G3) at Del Mar. He ended the year running fifth in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at Santa Anita on Nov. 4. The now 6-year-old gelding by Muhaarar has been back working since mid-February.

Ottoman Prince was imported by owner Anthony Fanticola. He has worked eight times on dirt since Jan. 7 for his U.S. unveiling, including a sharp five-furlong move in 1:00.00 last Friday. In another promising sign, Ottoman Prince has lured the services of top jockey Flavien Prat for his U.S. unveiling.

“He’s been training very well and acts like he may like the hillside course,” D’Amato said. “These Europeans tend to like that configuration.”

Ottoman Prince is 8-1 on the morning line.

The San Simeon is one of three graded stakes on a nine-race card set for Saturday. Post time is about 6 p.m. EST.