ARCADIA, CA – Old Bones Racing, Slam Dunk Racing, and Michael Nentwig’s Gregorian Chant exploded off the far turn and drew off impressively to win Sunday’s $70,000 Clockers’ Corner Stakes at Santa Anita Park.
Gregorian Chant broke from the far outside post 8 at 10/1 odds under Juan Hernandez and settled off the pace that Mr Vargas set down the backstretch and into the far turn.
Sent out wide near the top of the stretch, Gregorian Chant powered his way to the front and, with fellow Phil D’Amato stablemate Strike Me Down rallying to second late, led the barn exacta 2 1/4 lengths clear on the wire.
Gregorian Chant completed the 6-furlong firm turf sprint in 1:08.42.
Strike Me Down took second by a head over Thanks Mr. Eidson, who closely stalked the early pace but failed to hold off the D’Amato pair late.
Real News, Ghoul, Oiseau de Guerre, Strongconstitution, and Mr Vargas completed the order of finish in the race restricted to non-winners of a stakes in 2020 or 2021.
Gregorian Chant’s win was his first since defeating second-level optional claimers in a Del Mar turf route last August and improved his overall record to 13-4-0-2. The British-bred 5-year-old Gregorian gelding has now earned $165,013.
Gregorian Chant returned $23 to win, $8.20 to place, and $4.60 to show. Strike Me Down brought back $4.80 to place and $3 to show, while Thanks Mr. Eidson paid $3.60 to show.
