Eunomia produced a determined performance at Del Mar on Saturday, completing a successful journey from the East Coast by capturing the $400,000 Grade I Clement L. Hirsch Stakes. The St. Elias Stables and WSS Racing-owned mare showed strong finishing speed to secure the prestigious mile-and-one-sixteenth contest in 1:44.10, edging clear by half a length on a memorable afternoon at the seaside track.
The 4-year-old daughter of Tiz the Law, out of an American Pharoah mare, recorded the fifth victory of her career from 16 starts. The win added $240,000 to her earnings, taking her career prize money to $566,193 and marking another important milestone for trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. and jockey Micah Husbands.
Eunomia’s victory in the Grade I Clement L. Hirsch Stakes marked the first Del Mar success for Husbands, who was making his debut ride at the venue. For Joseph Jr., the result represented his second stakes triumph at the California racecourse.
The Grade I Clement L. Hirsch Stakes has long been one of Del Mar’s most respected events, and the latest running continued its tradition as a major fixture for top-class fillies and mares. The race was the 56th edition of the contest, which honours Clement L. Hirsch, a founding figure of both the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club and the Oak Tree Racing Association.
Om N Joy, representing Baker Stables and partners, finished strongly to take second place after closing late in the stretch. Simply Joking, owned by Grantley Acres and partners, completed the top three, finishing another length behind the runner-up.
Earlier on the card, Harris Farms’ homebred On the Whim secured a narrow victory in the 21st running of the California Dreamin’ Stakes for California-bred runners on turf. Guided by Tiago Pereira and trained by Dean Pederson, the 6-year-old gelding covered the mile-and-one-sixteenth distance in 1:40.77.
Eunomia Clement L. Hirsch Stakes victory was the centrepiece of Del Mar’s Saturday programme, adding another significant achievement to the mare’s growing record.
On the Whim prevailed by a head in a closely fought three-horse finish, with Old Pal finishing second and None Above the Law taking third. The Acclamation gelding earned $85,500 from the success, lifting his career earnings to $400,508 while registering his fifth career win.
The result also continued Pederson’s strong association with the California Dreamin’ Stakes, with the trainer securing his fourth victory in the event over the past five years. On the Whim had previously won the same race in 2023.
Del Mar racing continues on Sunday with a 10-race programme scheduled, beginning at 2 p.m.
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