DEL MAR, Calif. - In the final months of his 5-year-old year, Easter has found the best form of his career with consecutive stakes wins in Southern California. The victories have left trainer Phil D’Amato hopeful that a 6-year-old season in 2024 could be even better. Easter won the restricted Lure Stakes at Santa Anita in October in his final start for trainer Graham Motion, and Saturday’s Grade 2 Seabiscuit Handicap at 1 1/16 miles on turf at Del Mar. “If he keeps doing what he’s doing, he could be a Breeders’ Cup horse next year,” D’Amato said on Sunday. D’Amato had a perfect result in the $201,500 Seabiscuit, sweeping the trifecta with three runners. Easter finished a half-length in front of Hong Kong Harry, who was a half-length in front of Balnikhov. Easter and Hong Kong Harry are candidates for the Grade 2 San Gabriel Stakes at 1 1/8 miles on turf at Santa Anita on Dec. 26. Balnikhov could be tried in sprints on the hillside turf course at Santa Anita this winter, D’Amato said. :: Bet the races with a $200 First Deposit Match + FREE All Access PPs! Join DRF Bets. This was the second time this year at Del Mar that D’Amato swept the trifecta in a major turf race. On July 30, Gold Phoenix, Balnikhov and Masteroffoxhounds were the first three finishers of the Grade 2 Eddie Read Stakes. Easter, the 8-5 second choice in the Seabiscuit, closed from sixth to catch Hong Kong Harry in the final furlong. Hong Kong Harry, who was ridden by Juan Hernandez, won the Grade 2 City of Hope Mile at Santa Anita on Sept. 30. “Juan said he probably moved too soon on him,” D’Amato said of Hong Kong Harry’s loss. “When he opened up, he started to idle. Juan said he should have waited and moved a little later.” Through Saturday, D’Amato led all trainers at the autumn meeting with eight wins, one more than Bob Baffert and Peter Miller. D’Amato’s turf-heavy stable will have a significant presence in the major stakes on the upcoming final weekend of the meeting. In Saturday’s $100,000 Stormy Liberal Stakes at five furlongs, D’Amato may start Hamwood Flier, Tony Ann, Turn on the Jets and Unconquerable Keen. Hamwood Flier and Tony Ann are also candidates for Sunday’s Grade 1 Matriarch Stakes for fillies and mares at a mile on turf along with Elm Drive and Elounda Queen, D’Amato said. Ms Brightside and Zona Verde may run in Saturday’s Grade 3 Jimmy Durante Stakes for 2-year-old fillies at a mile on turf. :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.