Before Motorious loaded in the Santa Anita Park starting gate for his seasonal debut June 14, trainer Phil D'Amato told FanDuel TV's Christina Blacker that the 7-year-old gelding was only 90%-95% fit. It turned out that was all he needed to be as he scored a flashy victory in the $100,500 Daytona Stakes (G3T).
"Once (jockey) Antonio (Fresu) got him straightened out, he came with a lethal run there," D'Amato said. "I'm very happy with his performance today."
Making his first start since winning the Dec. 28 Joe Hernandez Stakes (G2T), the son of Muhaarar relaxed off the pace for Fresu before launching a strong rally in the stretch that his rivals could not defend against. At the wire, he was 1 1/4 lengths clear of Bran with Air Force Red third. He paid $3.80 to win.
"Phil yesterday told me he wanted to get the rust off," owner Anthony Fanticola told Santa Anita publicity's Millie Ball. "What a great way to get the rust off."
Fresu credited the win to a slower opening quarter-mile in :23.18 for the about 6 1/2-furlong sprint on Santa Anita's downhill course, allowing him to get his hooves underneath him to hit the wire in 1:13.13.
"I didn't think the horse was 100% fit. Going slow the first part helped to show his turn of foot at the end," Fresu told Ball. "He was traveling beautifully all the way."
D'Amato had given last year's Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1T) runner-up a longer winter break than usual, eyeing a lengthened season that could ultimately end with Motorious in the Middle East for the 2026 Saudi Cup (G1) and Dubai World Cup (G1) undercards.
"Our number one goal is Breeders' Cup," D'Amato told Blacker, "but maybe we'd like to venture out a little bit and have a little fun with him."
D'Amato said the next major target will be the $150,000 Green Flash Handicap (G3T), which he has won each of the last two years, going five furlongs over the Del Mar turf course Aug. 30.
Motorious was bred in Great Britain by Kirtlington Stud and Mrs. Mary Taylor.
