Heredia returns to Del Mar this Sunday for the G1 Matriarch Stakes, and her connections report that she has settled in smoothly. Assistant trainer Alice Clapham said the mare handled the trip well and has shown the energy and composure they were hoping to see ahead of a key year-end target.
Clapham, assistant to trainer Graham Motion, reflected on Heredia’s last outing with the kind of honesty racing people appreciate. “It was one of those muddling races,” she said of the Keeneland run, sixth in the G1 First Lady. “She ran well but just had a lot to make up. She’s moved forward every race this season — we think she’s ready to do it again.”
Heredia returns to familiar turf too — the scene of her G2 Yellow Ribbon success, where she controlled the pace and never let it go. A repeat will not come easily. Ten seasoned mares line up for the Matriarch at a mile on the Jimmy Durante Course, Del Mar’s final Grade 1 of 2025, closing a festival rich in turf class.
Ag Bullet Stands as the Horse to Beat
Across the barn area, there is a sense that Ag Bullet is the one every rival must reckon with. Second in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint, winner of the Jaipur earlier in the year, she has already proven she can beat top-class males at the highest level. A podium finish on Sunday would carry her beyond the $3 million lifetime earnings mark — a milestone earned through toughness as much as talent.
“She’s ready to run,” said trainer Richard Baltas, matter-of-fact but pleased. “She came out of the Cup well. Last time the winner just got away. She ran :55 and change — that’s flying.”
Ag Bullet stretches back to a mile here, something she last attempted in this very race twelve months ago when finishing third. She is 5-2-0-1 at the distance, a résumé that speaks volumes.
Segesta, Ozara, Breath Away and Others Add Substance and Depth
Chad Brown — who has won six of the last eight Matriarch renewals — ships in Segesta, a mare one big run away from her deserved Grade 1. Runner-up in her last two starts, she brings the consistency that makes her a major player.
“We’ve always thought she was good enough,” Brown said. “She keeps knocking at the door. This looks fair for her to step through.”
Another strong traveller is Ozara, the G2 Ballston Spa winner, who met trouble in the First Lady but was beaten less than four lengths.
“She just never got going,” trainer Miguel Clement said. “She’s better than that. She had no racing room.”
Clement also presents Breath Away, new to Qatar Racing after a successful summer including the G2 Dance Smartly and a determined second in the G3 Goldikova. “She’s been improving every run,” he said. “She’s consistent, she’s honest — we take our chance.”
Add in In Our Time, second in the G2 Franklin, and there is quality everywhere. The 45th running of the Matriarch will be Race 7 on Sunday, scheduled for 3:30 p.m.
Field (rail to outside):
Medoro; Breath Away; Antifona; Vibez; Spicybug; Ozara; Heredia; Ag Bullet; Segesta; In Our Time.
G3 Jimmy Durante Draws Promising 2-Year-Old Turf Fillies
Saturday’s G3 Jimmy Durante, also on turf, brings together 11 juveniles — five last-out maiden winners, two East Coast travellers, and one European newcomer.
Chad Brown introduces Just Aloof, a Justify filly who won on debut with more improvement expected. “We didn’t have her fully tuned and she still won,” he said. “She fits the profile of our better youngsters.”
Sweet Little Lila also ships west, her form solid and attitude reportedly excellent. “She’s taken everything in stride,” assistant Dominic Boccia shared.
From France arrives Special Wood, while Breeders’ Cup runner La Ville Lumiere returns to turf after a respectable seventh on dirt. Trainer Michael McCarthy says she may flourish back on grass.
Local favourite Hypergamy is lightly raced but progressive, having broken her maiden at Del Mar three weeks ago. Doug O’Neill also fields Latte Luv, while Philip D’Amato relies on Yours Sincerely, unlucky last time when boxed in late.
Probable post: 2:30 p.m.
Unconquerable Keen Chases Third Stormy Liberal Title
Sunday’s Stormy Liberal could be a coronation or a robbery — depending which sprinter shows up fastest. Unconquerable Keen returns fresh, already a two-time winner of the race for Philip D’Amato. Jockey Umberto Rispoli was reportedly delighted with his recent breeze.
“He runs well fresh,” D’Amato said. “We’ll see. He feels good.”
Stablemate Sorrento Sky nearly won this race last year, and D’Amato thinks five furlongs suits perfectly. Big City Lights tries turf for the first time after big showings on dirt — trainer Richard Mandella believes the switch may awaken something sharp.
Yellow Card is the threat many fear most, second in the G2 Eddie D and training sharply. No Nay Hudson, impressive at Woodbine, brings pace and class.
The Stormy Liberal runs as Race 5 on Sunday at 2:30 p.m.
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