2026 Sorrento Stakes

Juan Hernandez celebrates aboard Holmby after winning the 2026 Sorrento Stakes

The highlight race of the fourth Sunday of Del Mar's summer meeting is the $150,000 Sorrento Stakes (G3) for two-year-old fillies sprinting 6 furlongs on the main track. Conditions were typical for early August on the beach with sunny skies and the temperatures in the high 70's. Holmby was sent off as the 4-5 favorite in the field of 6 off her debut win on July 18 at Del Mar. In to challenge her included 8-5 second choice Ruiva, third in the Queen Mary Stakes (G2) at Royal Ascot on June 17 after winning her debut at Churchill Downs, and 17-2 third choice Dash, off her debut win at Del Mar on July 18.

Down the stretch in the Sorrento Stakes

Jockey Yedsit Hazlewood sent Ruiva to the lead out of the chute through fractions of 21.91 and 45.02 while pressed by Holmby and stalked by 11-1 Crazy Hot Mess. Turning for home, Ruiva continued to lead through 5f in 57.32 but Holmby, confidently ridden by Juan Hernandez, wore her down late to win by a neck in 1:10.73. It was a long 7 1/2 lengths back to Crazy Hot Mess third.

Pgm Horse Jockey Win Place Show 5 Holmby Hernandez 3.60 2.20 2.10 4 Ruiva Hazlewood 2.60 2.10 3 Crazy Hot Mess Espinoza 2.60 Winning Time: 1:10.73 $1 Exacta 5-4 3.30 $2 Quinella 4-5 3.60 $1 Trifecta 5-4-3 13.80 $1 Superfecta 5-4-3-1 23.70 Results Chart

Left: Holmby in the winner's circle. Winning trainer Bob Baffert said, "She was very game. I like the way she sat off the pace and ran down a really nice filly. I'm excited for (owner) Michael Talla. She'll go on now to the (Del Mar) Debutante. It was fun, just a great weekend."

Right: Holmby in the paddock before the race. Winning jockey Juan Hernandez said, "She brought her game today. We were tracking that other filly (Ruiva) and I know how good she is. I rode her twice. I knew she'd be tough. My horse is improving, though. She did the tracking, then we put it in motion coming for home. I like the way my filly relaxed. She wasn't rank at all. She was waiting for me. She's improving; getting better each time."

Left: Second place finisher Ruiva in the paddock before the race. Jockey Yedsit Hazlewood, after his first ride at Del Mar said, "She tried. She ran her race." The Wesley Ward trainee improved her record to 1 win, 1 second, and 1 third in 3 starts, earning $123,778 for owner-breeder Three Chimneys Farm.

Right: Third place finisher Crazy Hot Mess in the walking ring. The Peter Miller trainee improved her record to 1 win and 1 third in 2 starts, earning $77,512 for owners Michael McMillan and Raymond Bryner.

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