The FanDuel Racing Fall Turf Festival approaches with an atmosphere of excitement and closing-week emotion at Del Mar, where grooms linger a moment longer with their horses and riders speak of final opportunities before the season winds down. With seven stakes events scheduled across Friday to Sunday — six of them graded — the seaside track prepares for a finale defined by quality turf horses, returning champions, and new headlines waiting to be written.
The weekend begins Friday with the Hollywood Turf Cup, a mile-and-a-half contest for seasoned campaigners. Saturday’s early card at 11:30 a.m. brings three more highlights — the G2 Seabiscuit, the G3 Jimmy Durante for 2-year-old fillies, and the prestigious G1 Hollywood Derby. Sunday completes the festival with four additional stakes including the G3 Cecil B. DeMille, the G3 Bayakoa on dirt, and the G1 Matriarch for top-class fillies and mares. With nominations strong and runners shipping in from leading stables nationwide, the stage is set for a memorable closing act.
Festival opens with the G2 Hollywood Turf Cup (Focus keyword included)
The Hollywood Turf Cup launches proceedings Friday, marking the 43rd running of a race steeped in historic grass performers — from John Henry to Itsallgreektome. This year nine runners are expected, headed by last year’s hero Truly Quality, returning from a short spell and reported to have tightened up steadily in recent weeks. Trainer Jonathan Thomas notes that the horse has built fresh strength and base fitness through careful preparation, hopeful that class and stamina combine as they did previously.
Familiar rivals Nineeleventurbo and Balnikhov also return in search of turnaround success. Balnikhov arrives from a confidence-restoring win at Del Mar earlier in the season, while Nineeleventurbo brings back winter form from Kentucky. Others add depth: Flashiest, Reiquist, and the English-bred Mondego — each bringing varied form lines that suggest a competitive renewal and a long, tactical stretch run.
Saturday stacked with graded clashes
The Seabiscuit Stakes opens the graded trio on Saturday, run over a mile-and-a-sixteenth for older runners. Nine are entered, with returning winner Mi Hermano Ramon looking to defend the title.
The Jimmy Durante follows — eleven 2-year-old fillies sharpening early turf credentials across one mile. Trainer Chad Brown sends a strongly-touted juvenile, and form from last year’s winner Well Then remains a recent standard.
The headline event, the G1 Hollywood Derby, completes the day — nine 3-year-olds venture a mile-and-an-eighth with improving colts and one gelding looking to emulate last year’s winner Formidable Man, who later placed second in the Breeders’ Cup Mile.
Final day brings G1 Matriarch, Cecil B. DeMille and Festival depth
Sunday’s program offers four more stakes to close the FanDuel Racing Fall Turf Festival. The Stormy Liberal Sprint opens the day — fast, sharp, and heavily targeted by the Phil D’Amato barn in past editions. Juvenile grass runners then feature in the G3 Cecil B. DeMille, with strong nominations including Hey Nay Nay from trainer John Sadler.
On dirt, the G3 Bayakoa gives fillies and mares a mile to prove late-season form.
Then the Matriarch — the marquee one-mile showdown for elite turf fillies and mares — draws the curtain on festival and season alike. With 15 nominees and national participation expected, the race stands again as one of Del Mar’s most treasured finales.
Shippers add strength, stables settle in for closing weekend
Horses have already begun arriving from major training bases. Graham Motion has Test Score for the Hollywood Derby and Proton for the Cecil B. DeMille, while his G2 Yellow Ribbon winner Heredia targets the Matriarch. Chad Brown, a familiar presence during this festival, sends Just Aloof and Salamis with Segesta under Matriarch consideration. Canadian standout Tom’s Magic represents Michael Stidham; Todd Pletcher dispatches Noble Confessor; and Brittany Russell, Miguel Clement, Wesley Ward and others embed further quality into the closing weekend line-up.
Trainer Jonathan Thomas — who captured three festival races last year — returns with Truly Quality in the Turf Cup and additional entries across the program. He reflects warmly on last year’s seamless campaign but remains grounded about this season, hopeful rather than certain as fresh challenges arrive.
Thanksgiving warmth behind the barns
Away from the grandstand, preparations include a Backside Thanksgiving meal for grooms, riders, and all staff working on the holiday — served warm beneath a newly heated tent beside the North Horse Arena. Del Mar expects turnout similar to last year, with a second meal planned the following day for race-morning workers. Few traditions reflect racing’s community spirit better.
As weather forecasts hint at sun early and possible rain late, one truth stands firm — a festival of turf racing awaits, rich in history, runners, and narrative.
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