Hunt heads D’Amato trio in Del Mar Handicap

After winning his first summer meet title in 2016, Phil D’Amato is enjoying another fine season atop the standings at Del Mar, entering the fifth week with a two-win advantage over the nearest challenger. He also leads all conditioners with five stakes tallies and D’Amato is launching an assault upon Saturday’s $250,000 Del Mar H. (G2), sending out three of the 13 contestants in the 1 3/8-mile turf affair.

A “Win and You’re In” qualifier for the Breeders’ Cup Turf, the Del Mar H. takes place one race prior to the signature $1 million Pacific Classic (G1) on the meet’s biggest day.

Hunt, who raced primarily in sprints earlier in his career, will try to carry his stamina a little farther following a victory in the 1 1/8-mile Eddie Read (G2) over the course on July 22. The 5-year-old rallied from just off the pace to win by a length, registering his first graded victory in the process, and the Del Mar H. represents his third start off a lengthy layoff for the improving gray gelding. Flavien Prat rides.

Big John B will move back to turf for D’Amato after three consecutive races on the main track. The veteran gelding has certainly displayed an affinity for the local turf, winning back-to-back editions of the Del Mar H. in 2014-15 and compiling an overall 4-3-1-0 record, but the 8-year-old will need to turn things around after not being a serious factor in his last four turf attempts. The latter can also be said for 7-year-old Up with the Birds, who brings plenty of back class to the race but exits a dull fifth in the Eddie Read for D’Amato.

Corey Nakatani picks up the mount on Big John B and Jamie Theriot retains the assignment on Up with the Birds.

Ashleyluvssugar came up a little short as the 3-5 favorite in the Eddie Read, recording his fourth runner-up finish from five turf attempts at Del Mar, but the Peter Eurton trainee will be making a title defense after prevailing by a nose last year. Regular rider Gary Stevens guides the 6-year-old gelding. Itsinthepost returns to the West Coast for Jeff Mullins following a fifth in the United Nations (G1) at Monmouth Park on July 1. The 5-year-old gelding reeled off consecutive long-distance turf wins in the Elkhorn (G2) and Charles Whittingham (G2) prior to his last and keeps Tyler Baze in the saddle.

Other runners include Eddie Read third-placer Mr. Roary; multiple Grade 2 scorer Flamboyant; and Monster Bea, winner of the 2016 Oceanside at Del Mar.