D’Amato quartet leads a contentious nine-horse field set for Saturday’s $500,000 Frank E. Kilroe Mile
At 0h37, on March 2, 2023 • By SANTA ANITA
Horseplayers will have no shortage of viable options to consider when it comes to Saturday’s Grade I, $500,000 Frank E. Kilroe Mile at Santa Anita. Led by a four-horse continent for trainer Phil D’Amato, every entrant in the nine-horse field is a stakes winner with eight of those scoring at the graded level.
D’Amato’s quartet is comprised of Irish-bred Hong Kong Harry and Irish-bred Gold Phoenix, both of whom return from layoffs for their seasonal bow.
Hong Kong Harry has been sidelined since winning the Grade II Seabiscuit Handicap at Del Mar on Nov. 26. The 6-year-old Irish-bred gelding won five of six starts last year after his arrival from Europe including the Grade II Del Mar Mile and Grade III American going a mile at Santa Anita.
Hong Kong Harry is owned by Scott Anastasi, Jimmy Ukegawa and Tony Valazza. Flavien Prat, who was aboard for three wins last year, has the call on Saturday.
Gold Phoenix will be making his first start since a 10th-place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Turf going a mile-and-a-half at Keeneland on Nov. 5. D’Amato noted Sunday that Gold Phoenix “was doing fantastic” for his comeback but added this race is designed primarily to serve as a prep for the Grade II Charles Whittingham at 1 ¼ miles on April 8.
Owned by Little Red Feather, Sterling Stables and Marsha Naify, Gold Phoenix will be ridden for the first time by Kazushi Kimura.
