Favorite Sorrento Sky (IRE) secured his second consecutive Grade 2 victory on Saturday at Santa Anita, rallying under Umberto Rispoli to capture the $200,000 Eddie D (G2) over approximately 6½ furlongs on the hillside turf course. Trained by Phil D’Amato, the 2-1 favorite edged out 3-1 contender Sumter, ridden by Mike Smith, who closed strongly from behind to finish second. Filly Amorita came in a neck behind for third after setting a brisk pace with splits of :21.99, :43.76, and 1:06.33 under Kazushi Kimura. Sorrento Sky completed the race in 1:12.30.
Rispoli expressed strong confidence going into the race, highlighting the horse’s remarkable transformation since being gelded a year ago. “I was sitting seventh with a quarter-mile to go, and he gave me an incredible kick,” Rispoli said. “He used to be aggressive early but would give up once passed; now, he fights all the way through.”
The 5-year-old gelding by Prince of Lir was bred in Ireland and raced twice as a 2-year-old before coming to the U.S. in 2023 to join the D’Amato stable. His first stakes win came in the 2023 Green Flash (G3) at Del Mar, followed by this year’s Grade 2 version on August 22 during his last start before Saturday’s triumph.
Trainer D’Amato praised the horse’s improved demeanor since being gelded and credited jockey Rispoli’s timing and effort. “We trusted Umberto to make the calls, and he delivered with a powerful finish to win the race,” D’Amato said.
Owned by Benowitz Family Trust, CYBT, McLean Racing Stables, Saul Gevertz, Marc Lantzman, and Michael Nentwig, Sorrento Sky now boasts a record of 6 wins, 4 seconds, and 6 thirds from 22 starts, amassing earnings over $540,000. The winner paid $6.20 on a win mutuel.
Fan Take: Sorrento Sky’s transformation and back-to-back Grade 2 wins highlight how thoughtful gelding and expert training can unlock a horse’s true potential, offering an inspiring story of resilience and growth. For horse racing fans, his rise injects fresh excitement into turf sprint events and underscores the sport’s continual evolution through strategy and care.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
