        |
|
 |
Del Mar Futurity Day Del Mar Debutante Day Pat O'Brien Stakes Pacific Classic Day Rancho Bernardo Stakes |
|
|
 Jockey Juan Hernandez aboard Miss Monica after winning the 2026 Del Mar Debutante |
The feature event on Saturday of closing weekend of the Del Mar summer meeting was the $300,000 Del Mar Debutante Stakes (G1) for top 2-year-old fillies on the west coast sprinting 7 furlongs on the main track. Conditions were typical for early September in San Diego County with the 9,830 fans in attendance under sunny skies and temperatures in the high 70's. Miss Monica was sent off as the 2-5 favorite in the field of 9 off her debut win by 5 3/4 lengths on August 9. In to challenge her included 13-2 second choice Holmby, undefeated in 2 starts including the Sorrento (G3), and 9-1 third choice Free Closer, winner of the CTBA Stakes.
 Down the stretch in the Del Mar Debutante |
26-1 Fast Amy was quickest out of the chute through an opening quarter of 21.96 before 24-1 Panda Listen poked her head in front through a half in 44.96, pressed by Panda Listen and stalked by Miss Monica and 38-1 Well Versed. Turning for home, Miss Monica came out 3 wide to sweep to the lead through 3/4 in 1:10.48. Kept to task by Juan Hernandez, Miss Monica drew off to win by 6 1/4 lengths over late-running 25-1 Crazy Hot Mess in 1:23.54. It was another 1 1/2 lengths back to Holmby third.
Pgm Horse Jockey Win Place Show 9 Miss Monica Hernandez 2.80 2.20 2.10 4 Crazy Hot Mess Rosario 11.20 5.20 8 Holmby Gonzalez 3.20 Winning Time: 1:23.54 $1 Exacta 9-4 15.40 $2 Quinella 4-9 28.40 $1 Trifecta 9-4-8 81.40 $1 Superfecta 9-4-8-5 351.80Results Chart |
Left: Miss Monica in the winner's circle. Winning trainer Bob Baffert, celebrating his 13th Debutante winner and his record 194th Del Mar stakes win said, "We had a great post and she was able to put herself into a good spot. J.J. Hernandez rode her with a lot of confidence. We know going 7/8 is demanding but at the 3/8 pole you could tell she was cruising and she went to the lead on her own. She's that good of a filly. I'm always happy to win this race especially for the 'Three Amigos' -- Pegram, Watson, and Weitman. I'm relieved. I knew she was going to win but crazy things happen."
Right: Miss Monica in the paddock before the race. Winning jockey Juan Hernandez said, "She broke OK, but those other two fillies were going fast up front My filly was doing fine and when I came up to those other two we just went right on by. She changed leads for me and when that happened it was all over." Co-owner Mike Pegram added, "She's smooth like that good Kentucky bourbon. And Kentucky is where she's headed for the Breeders' Cup."
Left: Second place finisher Crazy Hot Mess in the walking ring before the race. The Peter Miller trainee improved her record to 1 win, 1 second, and 1 third in 3 starts, earning $137,512 for owners Michael McMillan and Raymond Bryner.
Right: Third place finisher Holmby in the paddock before the race. The Bob Baffert trainee improved her record to 2 win and 1 third in 3 starts, earning $186,000 for owner By Talla Racing.
 Observed wins the Del Mar Juvenile Turf |
Jockey Umberto Rispoli sent 17-2 Itinerary to the lead through fractions of 22.48 and 48.04 while pressed by Off in the Corner and stalked by 34-1 Missed Fortune and 30-1 Cosmic Charlie. Turning for home Off in the Corner gained a short lead through 3/4 in 1:12.54, and opened up a 4 length lead through 7f in 1:24.37. However, 13-2 fourth choice Observed, 7th early under Juan Hernandez, rallied and outfinished favorite Shadow Nation to win by 3/4 length in 1:36.40. It was another length back to Off in the Corner third.
Left: Observed in the winner's circle. Winning trainer Jonathan Thomas said, "We're really pleased with the result. As we thought there was going to be a lot of pace, we found ourselves a little farther back than ideal but I thought Juan did a great job of sitting chilly and cool and waiting for a good seam. The horse had a lot of momentum and got the job done. He really polished the race off nicely. I'm really proud of him."
Right: Observed in the paddock before the race. Winning jockey Juan Hernandez said, "I spoke to the trainer and he told me that the horse was very smart. That I could do pretty much what I wanted to do with him. I watched the replay of his last race and saw they he broke sharply. But today he came away from there a step slow. But he was very professional about it all; he was relaxed all the way around. It worked out well."
Left: Second place finisher and beaten favorite Shadow Nation walks over to the paddock before the race. Trainer Mike Puype said, "Pulling up he's blowing really hard. I'm not going to offer any excuses, but he'll be a lot fitter for the Zuma Beach."
Right: Third place finisher Off in the Corner in the post parade. The Peter Miller trainee improved his record to 1 win and 1 third in 2 starts, earning $60,000 for owner Altamira Racing Stable.
 Magnificat wins the Tranquility Lake Stakes |
Jockey Emisael Jaramillo sent 12-1 So There She Was to the lead first time by through fractions of 22.51, 46.18, and 1:11.47 while pressed by Amorita and stalked by 19-1 Mi Confesion. Turning for home So There She Was continued to lead through 7f in 1:24.77 before tiring badly. Favorite Magnificat, 7th early under Joel Rosario after stumbling at the start, saved ground then rallied to win going away by 2 1/2 lengths over 9-1 Our Moonlight in 1:38.03. It was another 3 1/4 lengths back to late-running 44-1 longest shot Rosie Jeeks third.
Magnificat in the winner's circle. Winning jockey Joel Rosario said, "She stumbled very badly. She's so athletic. She could pick up her feet and get up. She was the best horse in the race. It's not easy to do that. She's a talented filly. First time going two turns, she was able to keep it going."
Back to Horse-Races.Net main page
| Search Horse-Races.Net: |
