Graded stakes winner Hey Nay Nay heads Cecil B. DeMille Stakes field at Del Mar

Hey Nay Nay heads the Cecil B. DeMille Stakes with the kind of form that turns heads, but it was the quiet confidence in trainer John Sadler’s voice this week that set the tone. The colt — all spirit, muscle, and forward stride — marched onto the turf in schooling like he owned it, handlers smiling as if they already knew Sunday could be a crowning afternoon. He has the presence of a youngster still rising, still learning, still hungry.

The Grade III Cecil B. DeMille Stakes, run over one mile on the turf for two-year-olds, takes center stage on closing day at Del Mar, with Hey Nay Nay entering as the clear standout. The colt arrives with three victories from four starts, his lone setback coming in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf on October 31, where early pressure told late and left him in tenth. Before that, he dazzled with back-to-back wire-to-wire wins over five furlongs, then proved his stamina on September 7 when he stretched out to a mile to secure the Grade III Del Mar Juvenile Turf.

Sadler sends him out for Hronis Racing LLC and Iapetus Racing, his record sitting at 4-3-0-0 with earnings of $166,000. The reins belong to Flavien Prat, who knows the Del Mar grass better than most and will look to use the colt’s early speed wisely.

Proton the main threat among seven-runner Cecil B. DeMille Stakes field

Across the paddock, Graham Motion’s Proton offers a very different profile — measured, maturing, and improving with each run. He debuted impressively at Colonial Downs in August, winning by three lengths, then lifted the Laurel Futurity with assurance when stretched to a mile and one-sixteenth. Most recently, he finished second by a length and a half in the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Stakes here on October 31.

Owned by Stone Farm LLC and Virginia Racing Club among the partnership, Proton arrives 3-2-1-0 with $167,500 earned, the booking going to Juan Hernandez.

The field of seven, in post position order:

1. Proton – Juan Hernandez (124)

2. Brigante – Antonio Fresu (120)

3. Caro Buono – Armando Ayuso (120)

4. Unrivaled Time – Diego Herrera (120)

5. Iriseach – Umberto Rispoli (120)

6. Track Tiger – Mirco Demuro (120)

7. Hey Nay Nay – Flavien Prat (124)

The nine-race card begins at 12:30 PM, with the Cecil B. DeMille Stakes scheduled as Race 3 at approximately 1:30 PM. With two standout contenders and five ambitious challengers, Sunday offers a compelling test of juvenile talent — and perhaps the start of the next turf star’s rise.

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