Flavien Prat and Phil D’Amato, leading jockey and trainer, respectively, thus far this summer season at Del Mar, combined talents to win the feature race Thursday with 9-5 favored Danas Best.

 

The Australian-bred seven-year-old gelding, prominent from the start of the mile and three-eighths grass marathon, took control in the stretch to win by a half-length for his initial victory in the United States in five attempts.

 

I’malreadythere closed well to be second, three-quarters of a length ahead of Terrys Tom Cat, with early pacemaker El Super fourth in the field of nine Thoroughbreds.

 

Danas Best, a son of Danasinga owned by Gorman, Slam Dunk Racing and Sterling Stables,  accomplished the distance in 2:16.41 and returned $5.60, $3.60 and $2.80 after his eighth win in 25 career starts. I’malreadythere paid $5.60 and $3.60, while Terrys Tom Cat paid $3.20 to show.

 

Danas Best provided Prat with his second winner of the afternoon and 25^th of the meeting, four in front of Santiago Gonzalez. The rider won the second on Optimism and Hope at $4.40.  For D’Amato, it was his 12^th triumph,  two more than Bob Baffert.