Both events are crucial stepping stones in the summer stakes calendar, with Freedom’s Not Free and Liberation emerging as top contenders. RaceBuzz continues its comprehensive coverage of California racing, including our recent look at the Clement Hirsch Stakes.
Del Mar La Jolla CTBA Stakes 2025: Double Dose of Stakes Drama
The 84th running of the La Jolla Handicap (Race 7) spans 1 1/16 miles on the Jimmy Durante Turf Course. It’s the second leg of Del Mar’s prestigious turf series, nestled between the Oceanside Stakes and the Caesars Sportsbook Del Mar Derby, scheduled for August 31.
Freedom’s Not Free, an Omaha Beach colt trained by Mark Glatt, headlines the six-horse field. A dual turf stakes winner at Santa Anita, he returns with jockey Antonio Fresu in the irons and opens as the 9/5 morning-line favorite. He’ll face off against talented rivals including The Padre (Rispoli, 3-1), Artislas (Hernandez, 4-1), and Game Warrior (Berrios, 7/2).
La Jolla Handicap field (Race 7):
- Game Warrior (Hector Berrios, 7/2)
- Maaz (Kazushi Kimura, 15-1)
- Freedom’s Not Free (Antonio Fresu, 9/5)
- Artislas (Juan Hernandez, 4-1)
- Day and Age (Mike Smith, 6-1)
- The Padre (Umberto Rispoli, 3-1)
Liberation Headlines CTBA Stakes for Juvenile Fillies
The CTBA Stakes (Race 10) is restricted to California-bred 2-year-old fillies and contested over five furlongs on dirt. As part of the $825,000 Golden State Series, it’s a vital early-season benchmark for up-and-coming talent bred in the Golden State.
Liberation, another offspring of Omaha Beach, dazzled on debut at Santa Anita in May. Trained by John Sadler for Hall Racing and West Point Thoroughbreds, she breaks from Post 6 with Hector Berrios aboard and is favored at 8/5. The competition includes Jasmina (Kyle Frey, 7/2), Tapatia Mia (Ruben Silvera, 4-1), and What’s a Good Name (Hernandez, 5-1).
CTBA Stakes field (Race 10):
- Lady Victoria (Edwin Maldonado, 20-1)
- What’s a Good Name (Juan Hernandez, 5-1)
- Tapatia Mia (Ruben Silvera, 4-1)
- Lino’s Angel (Tyler Baze, 12-1)
- My Love Caroline (Armando Ayuso, 10-1)
- Liberation (Hector Berrios, 8/5)
- Jasmina (Kyle Frey, 7/2)
- Mustang Knicky (Antonio Fresu, 12-1)
Sunday’s Del Mar La Jolla CTBA Stakes 2025 program highlights turf and juvenile excellence, delivering stakes action from two ends of the age spectrum. First post is at 2:00 PM PT.
Check official Del Mar entries or visit RaceBuzz for expert coverage and same-day results.
