Game Warrior Oceanside Stakes 2025 winner stunned Del Mar on Opening Day with a breakout performance that gave Jethorse their biggest win to date. The son of Game Winner, making his 11th career start, finally broke through against winners in style — in front of a sellout crowd of 21,209.
Trained by Peter Miller and expertly guided by jockey Hector Berrios, Game Warrior showcased a stretch-running style that played out perfectly over the one-mile Del Mar turf. Saving ground from the seven-hole, Berrios maneuvered his mount skillfully along the rail, threading through traffic before launching a decisive move near the eighth pole. Despite a bumping incident, the colt charged ahead to win the $102,500 Oceanside Stakes by half a length in 1:36.32.
“A good race for him. He was relaxed all the way. We had a little bit of trouble in the stretch; we got bumped some. But not too bad. When I asked him, he went. He was strong,” said Berrios, who secured his first stakes win of the meet and his 20th overall at Del Mar.
Peter Miller added, “I did not pick him up. I said ‘Whoever that is splitting horses looks like the winner,’ and my son said, ‘That’s Game.’ When I saw the orange saddle towel, I was like ‘Finish the deal.’ Hector gave him a superb ride.”
Game Warrior Oceanside Stakes 2025 Victory Sets the Tone at Del Mar
The Oceanside Stakes 2025 result saw Little Red Feather Racing and Madaket Stables’ Iron Man Cal settle for second after stumbling badly at the start and mounting a late rail bid. Finishing third, just a neck behind, was Lyle The Crocodile, campaigned by CYBT, McLean Racing Stables, Nentwig, Pagano, and Peskoff.
Game Warrior picked up a winner’s purse of $60,000 and handed Miller his second career win in the Oceanside Stakes (following Monster Bea in 2016). It was also a milestone win for Montana-based owner Jethorse (Eve Reger).
The official race fractions were: :23.48, :48.21, 1:12.65, 1:24.68, and 1:36.32.
What Game Warrior’s Oceanside Stakes 2025 Win Means Going Forward
With his first win against winners now behind him, Game Warrior’s connections are expected to target graded stakes company in the coming weeks. Trainer Peter Miller mentioned post-race that the colt has matured mentally and physically, making him a viable contender on the California turf circuit.
The Game Warrior Oceanside Stakes 2025 victory also elevates the profile of Montana-based Jethorse, the ownership operation led by Eve Reger. “It’s special to win on Opening Day at Del Mar,” Reger said. “This horse has had talent all along — today he showed it to everyone else.”
With more turf stakes on the horizon at Del Mar and Santa Anita, all eyes will be on how Game Warrior progresses through the 3-year-old ranks. One thing is clear: he’s no longer a maiden — and no longer under the radar.
The Oceanside Stakes has long served as a launching pad for three-year-olds on the turf at Del Mar. Past winners like War Chant and Monster Bea have gone on to notable campaigns, and Game Warrior now joins that tradition. His Opening Day victory places him firmly on the radar for upcoming stakes action at the seaside oval.
Game Warrior Oceanside Stakes 2025: Official Results and Highlights
Del Mar’s Opening Day crowd was capped at 21,209 — a deliberate move by the track to ensure a premium experience. The card was filled with longshot winners, triggering a Pick Six carryover of $127,247 heading into Saturday’s racing action.
First post for Saturday is scheduled for 2:00 PM PT.
The Game Warrior Oceanside Stakes 2025 victory will be remembered as one of the most impressive breakout performances on Del Mar’s turf stage.
For full results, payouts, and video replays from Del Mar’s Opening Day, visit the official Oceanside Stakes recap.
Also read: Veteran jockey Edwin Gonzalez eyes 2000 career wins milestone — another major storyline from Gulfstream Park this weekend.
