A surge of excitement rippled through Del Mar on Sunday (30th November) as Unconquerable Keen, returning from nearly seven months off, powered down the stretch to claim the Stormy Liberal Stakes. Trainer Phil D’Amato shared a quick, proud kiss on the gelding’s forehead while jockey Umberto Rispoli celebrated another tactical triumph in the saddle, a scene that captured the heart of the enthusiastic crowd.
The Irish-bred 6-year-old bay gelding, by Clodovil, demonstrated his trademark late kick in a tight turf finish under Rispoli, edging out Zio Jo by a neck in a five-furlong dash. The victory marked Unconquerable Keen’s eighth career win from 24 starts and his third consecutive triumph in this Southern California event.
Rispoli, a seasoned Italian rider, executed a patient, strategic ride reminiscent of last year’s winning effort. “He’s a nice horse to ride. He used to be really run-off,” Rispoli said. “We spent a lot of time teaching him to settle and relax. When he’s behind horses, he gets encouraged and finishes strong. The rail down turf is always a beautiful place to ride, and today he delivered perfectly.”
D’Amato, whose expertise with European-bred turf horses is well-known, praised the veteran jockey’s handling. “Weaving in and out between horses—that’s Umberto’s move. He gave him the right trip and got the job done. It’s really fun winning this race for a third year in a row,” said D’Amato. “If we manage him right, maybe we can do it again next year.”
Final time for the five-furlong test was :56.10, and Unconquerable Keen earned a first prize of $60,000, bringing his career earnings to $449,129. Joe Navarro’s Zio Jo finished second, a head in front of Sorrento Sky, trained by Gevertz and Nentwig.
The Stormy Liberal Stakes showcased the thrill of turf racing at Del Mar, emphasizing the patience, skill, and bond between horse, jockey, and trainer that defines Southern California racing. Unconquerable Keen’s performance not only highlighted his own class but also underscored D’Amato and Rispoli’s consistent excellence on the fall turf circuit.
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