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2025 Pat O'Brien Stakes

Umberto Rispoli celebrates aboard Dr. Venkman after winning the 2025 Pat O'Brien Stakes

The feature race at Del Mar on Saturday was the $250,000 Pat O'Brien Stakes (G2) for older horses sprinting 7 furlongs on the main track and is a Breeders' Cup Challenge "Win and You're In" qualifier for the Dirt Mile at Del Mar on November 1. Conditions were excellent at the seaside oval with 11,659 fans in attendance under cloudy skies and temperatures in the low 80's. After 3 scratches, a short field of 6 went to post with Malibu Stakes (G1) winner Speed Boat Beach sent off as the 7-5 favorite off his last place finish in the St. Matthews Stakes at Churchill Downs. In to challenge him included 5-2 second choice Stronghold, second in the Malibu before finishing 10th in the Pegasus World Cup (G1), and 11-4 third choice Dr. Venkman off his 4th place finish in the Bing Crosby (G1) after finishing a close second in the Kelly's Landing (G3).

Dr. Venkman leads in the stretch

Jockey Juan Hernandez sent Speed Boat Beach to the lead out of the chute through fractions of 22.53 and 44.87 while pressed by 5-1 fourth choice Maymun and stalked by Dr. Venkman. On the far turn, Speed Boat Beach tired allowing Dr. Venkman to take over through 3/4 in 1:08.83. Kept to task by Umberto Rispoli, Dr. Venkman held off late-running Stronghold to win by 1/2 a length in 1:21.53. It was another 1/2 length back to 16-1 Express Train third, while favorite Speed Boat Beach checked in 5th beaten 6 1/4 lengths. 46-1 longest shot Spirit of Makena, who broke through the gate and was reloaded, unseated jockey Mirco Demuro at the 3/8 pole after sustaining an injury and was taken off the track by the equine ambulance.

Pgm Horse Jockey Win Place Show 1 Dr. Venkman Rispoli 7.40 2.80 2.10 6 Stronghold Fresu 4.00 2.80 7 Express Train Berrios 3.20 Winning Time: 1:21.53 $1 Exacta 1-6 11.50 $2 Quinella 1-6 9.20 $1 Trifecta 1-6-7 26.70 $1 Superfecta 1-6-7-4 60.80 Results Chart

Left: Dr. Venkman in the winner's circle. Winning jockey Umberto Rispoli said, "Seems at the break Speed Boat Beach kept drifting out, and you know, having a one-on-one can be tricky. But sometimes it can be a help, in this case, he's a smart horse, he's a fighter. He knows how to run his races. I just kept him on the fence, just looking ahead of me, looking to see a horse on the rail. No one wanted to be there, so at that point I saw that, that was going to be my gap. That is the spot where you get the momentum. Every time he runs he runs with his heart, he can run a mile or a sprint. This horse can be versatile."

Right: Dr. Venkman in the paddock. Winning trainer Mark Glatt said, "With the late scratches and the leaders floated off the rail a little bit, it didn't ever get tight. Umberto rode a very patient ride and when it opened up he was able to get through. When he made the lead he started to pull himself up, so maybe a little anxious there late."

Left: Second place finisher and beaten favorite Stronghold in the paddock before the race. Trainer Phil D'Amato said, "He ran a good race. The other horse acting up set him off in the gate. The good thing is he's back."

Right: Third place finisher Express Train in the paddock. The John Shirreffs trainee improved his record to 7 wins, 7 seconds, and 6 thirds in 27 starts, earning $1,639,800 for owner C R K Stable.

Fifth place finisher and beaten favorite Speed Boat Beach in the paddock before the race. The Bob Baffert trainee has a record of 4 wins, 1 second, and 0 thirds in 9 starts, earning $504,350 for owners Mike Pegram, Karl Watson, and Paul Weitman.

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