The aptly named Conclude closed out the final race of Pacific Classic Day with a victory, taking the $302,500 Del Mar Mile Stakes (G2T) and giving trainer Phil D'Amato a sweep of the three graded races on turf at Del Mar Aug. 31. Earlier on the card, he won the Del Mar Handicap (G2T) with Gold Phoenix and the Green Flash Handicap (G3T) with Motorious.
D'Amato did not just win the Del Mar Mile—he ran 1-2 when Almendares rallied to grab second, finishing just a head behind the winner.
Only D'Amato's longshot entry, Halfway Line, failed to challenge, finishing last of 10.
Conclude, who took last summer's Del Mar Derby (G2T) in his final start of 2023, rebounded from two off-the-board finishes in two prior starts this year—both with excuses. He ran 10th in the Shoemaker Mile Stakes (G1T) at Santa Anita Park following a long layoff in May and was fourth in the July 21 Wickerr Stakes at Del Mar after falling far behind and not gaining his usual prominent early position.
He had no such early challenges in the Del Mar Mile. He controlled the pace with fractions of :23.45, :47.14, and 1:10.72 in the race over firm turf, opened up in the stretch, and had enough to last while not switching leads through the lane. He hit the wire in 1:34.05 and returned $12.20 to win to his $2 mutuel backers.
Almendares gained on him late but fell a couple of strides short. Astronomer and Du Jour also rallied to be third and fourth, respectively.
Winning jockey Hector Berrios said his mount felt the oncoming pressure of rivals over the final half-mile of the race, and Conclude responded.
"He missed the break last time, and kind of way too far back, but this was our plan to be up there," D'Amato said. "Hector made the right decision and nursed him along perfectly."
A 4-year-old colt by Collected out of 2012 Kentucky Oaks (G1) winner Believe You Can, Conclude was bred by the late Brereton Jones in Kentucky. After going unsold during the 2021 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, Conclude initially raced for Jones, the Sol Kumin-headed Madaket Stables, and Little Red Feather Racing. After Jones' death last September, Conclude has competed for Madaket Stables, Little Red Feather Racing, and Jones' estate.
Conclude is the second graded stakes winner this year for Collected, who stood the 2024 breeding season for $10,000 at Airdrie Stud in Kentucky. Airdrie Stud, formerly headed by Brereton Jones, is led by his son, Bret.
