Saturday’s Del Mar Stakes action at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club produced three significant winners in Miss Monica, Observed and Magnificat, with each performance adding interest to the horses’ respective autumn campaigns. Miss Monica dominated the G1 DEL MAR DEBUTANTE, Observed captured the G3 DEL MAR JUVENILE FILLIES TURF, while Magnificat overcame a serious stumble at the start to land the $100,000 TRANQUILITY LAKE STAKES.
Miss Monica delivered the most emphatic performance of the three when she scored by 6 1/4 lengths in the DEL MAR DEBUTANTE for trainer Bob Baffert and jockey Juan Hernandez. The victory marked Baffert’s 13th success in the prestigious race for two-year-old fillies and further strengthened his record in the contest.
Miss Monica broke well and quickly established herself before extending her advantage through the race. Her performance also raised the possibility of a move to two turns as her campaign progresses. For Baffert, maintaining the filly’s health will remain the immediate priority before a decision is made on her next start.
A possible return to Santa Anita is under consideration, with the G2 OAK LEAF STAKES on October 3 emerging as a potential target. The race could form part of Miss Monica’s preparation for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies at Keeneland on October 30.
Baffert’s other runner, G3 Sorrento Stakes winner Holmby, also returned in good order following the DEL MAR DEBUTANTE. She is expected to receive a freshening before her next assignment.
Del Mar Stakes Winners Remain in Breeders’ Cup Picture
Observed added another important result to the weekend when she captured the G3 DEL MAR JUVENILE FILLIES TURF. The daughter of first-year sire Mandaloun raced towards the rear during the early stages before gradually improving her position.
Observed began to find her stride in the middle stages and continued to close on Off in the Corner through the stretch. She produced her strongest run late, catching the leader in the final strides to secure the graded stakes victory.
Trainer Jonathan Thomas will now assess the most suitable route for the filly’s next start. Her connections will be interested in a campaign that can lead towards the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf, with the G2 BOURBON STAKES at Keeneland on October 4 and the G2 PILGRIM STAKES at Belmont Park on October 3 among the potential options.
Observed is scheduled to leave Del Mar on Wednesday as her connections determine the next stage of her campaign.
Magnificat produced a different type of performance in the $100,000 TRANQUILITY LAKE STAKES, recovering from a difficult start to record an important victory. The daughter of Omaha Beach stumbled badly leaving the gate, went to her knees and entered the first turn at the rear of the field.
Joel Rosario allowed her time to regain her balance before gradually advancing through the field. Magnificat moved into third by the far turn and then took second from stablemate Amorita at the top of the stretch.
So There She Was continued to set the pace, but Magnificat steadily reduced the deficit before taking command ahead of the sixteenth pole. She then pulled clear to complete the recovery and secure the stakes victory.
Trainer Richard Mandella reported that Magnificat returned from the race in good condition. The G2 ZENYATTA STAKES at Santa Anita on September 27 is expected to be her next target, providing another opportunity to progress towards the Breeders’ Cup Distaff at Keeneland on October 31.
Monday’s G2 JOHN C. MABEE STAKES will bring the Del Mar stakes programme towards its conclusion, with 10 fillies and mares set to contest 1 1/8 miles on turf.
Thought Process will lead the field for trainer Philip D’Amato after winning seven of her 10 lifetime starts. Five of those victories have come in graded stakes, including the G2 SAN CLEMENTE STAKES at Del Mar last year.
Her latest appearance resulted in victory in the G1 GAMELY STAKES at Santa Anita on Memorial Day. D’Amato will now look for another strong performance as the mare continues towards the more important autumn races.
Whiskey Decision will return to competition after finishing sixth in the G2 YELLOW RIBBON STAKES last month. Trainer Michael McCarthy will have been encouraged by her work since that effort, including a four-furlong drill completed in :47.80.
Medoro will return to Del Mar with established form at the track. She finished second in last year’s JOHN C. MABEE and was also runner-up in the 2024 Del Mar Oaks before winning the 2025 Osunitas Stakes.
Fibonaccis Ride will step up following her victory in the $150,000 SOLANA BEACH STAKES. The California-bred daughter of Clubhouse Ride will be seeking her first graded stakes success.
Baltic Fire will enter following her victory in the Osunitas Stakes and will arrive in improved form compared with last season. She has finished in the money in her last four starts and has won her previous two races.
Trainer Jose D’Angelo will be represented by Vincey Girl and Bojaca Blessing. Vincey Girl will enter following a fifth-place finish in the Yellow Ribbon, while Bojaca Blessing will step up after an allowance victory at Del Mar.
The 69th running of the JOHN C. MABEE STAKES will be Race 9 on Monday’s 11-race programme, with a probable post time of 5:30 p.m.
The final two-year-old stakes of the meeting will be the $100,000 I’M SMOKIN STAKES, a six-furlong contest for California-bred juveniles.
Net Par will attempt to extend his winning run to three consecutive victories at Del Mar. He opened his campaign with a 7 3/4-length maiden success before following up with a narrow victory in the $100,000 Graduation Stakes.
Early Encore will return after finishing third in the Graduation Stakes and will look to improve on that performance. Fumano’s Fire and Cupid Cowboy will represent trainer Edwin Alvarez, with Cupid Cowboy arriving after breaking his maiden at Del Mar.
Little King will also return to competition after finishing second behind Cupid Cowboy.
The 37th running of the I’M SMOKIN STAKES will be Race 6 on Monday’s closing-day programme, with a probable post time of 4 p.m.
The Del Mar Stakes programme has produced notable performances from Miss Monica, Observed and Magnificat, while Monday’s JOHN C. MABEE STAKES and I’M SMOKIN STAKES will provide further stakes action before the meeting concludes.
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