The 2025 Bing Crosby Meet at Del Mar began with a story of patience, precision, and promise as Tempus Volat soared to victory in Thursday’s $100,000 Let It Ride Stakes, holding off heavy favorite Friendly Confines to win by three-quarters of a length. It was a breakthrough moment for trainer Leonard Powell, who celebrated the colt’s first stakes triumph, and a testament to jockey Mirco Demuro’s cool-handed timing aboard the improving son of Not This Time.
A Confident Ride and a Well-Timed Move
Breaking from post two in the seven-horse lineup, Tempus Volat settled comfortably behind the early speed. Friendly Confines, guided by Flavien Prat, grabbed command through sharp fractions of 22.65, 46.38, and 1:11.13 as Mescalero and Tempus Volat tracked close behind.
Demuro bided his time, content to let others duel up front before unleashing his mount’s run in the final furlong. Swinging out at the top of the stretch, Tempus Volat surged past the pacesetter, asserting authority in the closing strides to stop the clock at 1:35.31 for the mile on turf.
“He’s a good young horse and very comfortable sitting off the pace like he did today,” said Demuro after the win. “He’ll do whatever you ask him to do. He doesn’t have that early kick to go with the speed horses, but he always gives his best when it counts.”
Powell’s Patience Rewarded
For trainer Leonard Powell, the victory capped months of steady improvement since the colt joined his stable early this summer.
“We wanted to be close, for sure, because we had a good post position,” Powell reflected. “I was happy to see Flavien on the lead because he’s a smart jockey. Both he and Mirco rode good races, and our horse was best. His sire’s horses get better with age — and that’s exactly what he’s doing.”
The Finish and the Numbers
Friendly Confines dug deep to hold second by a nose over Lyle The Crocodile (5-1) and Irad Ortiz Jr. Tempus Volat returned $23.40 to win, $5.40 to place, and $3.60 to show. Friendly Confines paid $2.40 and $2.10, while Lyle The Crocodile paid $3.80 to show.
Owned by Sondereker Racing LLC, Tempus Volat improved his record to 6-2-1-2 and boosted his career earnings to $142,058. The performance marked his third consecutive top-three finish since joining Powell’s barn — a clear sign of a colt coming into his own.
The Let It Ride Stakes served as the perfect opening act for Del Mar’s 16-day Bing Crosby Meet, which continues with Breeders’ Cup Future Stars Friday, featuring a 10-race card beginning at 11:35 a.m., with gates opening at 9:30 a.m.
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