A warm breeze rolled off the Pacific as horse vans backed into Del Mar’s stable area, trainers smiling with nervous pride and grooms leaning in with quiet pats and whispered encouragement. The G1 Hollywood Derby 2025, one of America’s oldest and most storied turf contests, brings its familiar electricity back to the seaside track this Saturday — and this year, the coast-to-coast rivalry feels as sharp as ever.
Chad Brown, never shy to travel for a prize, arrives with Salamis — a colt sharp, seasoned and unlucky last out, the trainer admits. Brown’s regret still sounds fresh when he recalls Keeneland.
“He had a terrible post and in hindsight I should have scratched him,” Brown said, shaking his head. “Wide all the way. Never got a fair chance.”
This time, fresh legs greet him in California.
SALAMIS, TEST SCORE AND TOM’S MAGIC HEADLINE G1 HOLLYWOOD DERBY FIELD
Brown isn’t alone in shipping talent west. Tom’s Magic, who danced through a brilliant summer in Canada, captured the Breeders Stakes after settling for second in the $1 million Kings Plate. Earlier wins from Fair Grounds to Monmouth underline his versatility and toughness — the kind you want when the rail looms and the stretch feels like a mile.
Then comes Test Score — once eastern, now Californian by opportunity. The colt won the G3 Transylvania, then the Belmont Derby, before Graham Motion decided the Pacific air might suit him. It has. Test Score impressed again in the G2 Twilight Derby, prompting his return for a Grade 1 swing.
Juan Hernandez stays aboard.
“He ran a huge race,” assistant Alice Clapham said with a smile. “He and Juan understood each other perfectly.”
Emotion is threaded into this one — the Amerman family, both owners and breeders, finally get to watch him race in person.
Two more arrive from the McCarthy barn. Maaz, gritty and sometimes stubborn, nearly upset Test Score last out, driving tight along the rail. Stakes-tested Copp joins him, bringing steady Kentucky miles into deeper waters.
Leonard Powell’s Tempus Volat climbs the ladder with confidence after winning the Let It Ride, while Friendly Confines — second in that same race — returns to settle unfinished business.
Nine runners, one old trophy, and a West Coast afternoon built for change.
Likely Field (rail out)
Maaz (Ricky Gonzalez, 5-1)
Friendly Confines (Hector Berrios, 6-1)
Test Score (Juan Hernandez, 5/2)
Salamis (Umberto Rispoli, 9/2)
Kokosan (Armando Ayuso, 20-1)
Noble Confessor — scratched
Copp (Kazushi Kimura, 20-1)
Tempus Volat (Mirco Demuro, 5-1)
Tom’s Magic (Antonio Fresu, 7/2)
Post time: 3:30 p.m., Race 9, Saturday at Del Mar.
DEL MAR BRACES — AND BREATHES — AFTER NATIONAL AIRCRAFT GROUNDING
Earlier this week, tension rippled through racing offices when equine air fleets were grounded for inspection. Del Mar relies heavily on incoming runners for this Turf Festival — horses from every region were expected.
Only one never made it.
Todd Pletcher’s Noble Confessor lost his flight slot and withdrew, but the rest arrived under the wire.
Racing Secretary David Jerkens exhaled only once they unloaded.
“We weren’t certain,” he said. “It could’ve gone very wrong. We were fortunate timing worked.”
Return travel remains a puzzle, however. Without air transport, most eastern-bound horses must road-ship home.
Chad Brown accepted the complication calmly.
“They were all scheduled for a break after racing,” he said. “Not ideal, but manageable.”
Young filly Sweet Little Lila will van cross-country. Others, including Motion, Clement, Stidham and Saffie Joseph trainees, will do the same.
Perspective remains the sport’s saving grace, Jerkens reminded.
“Imagine if this had happened during Breeders’ Cup.”
SEABISCUIT STAKES: STAY HOT, CABO SPIRIT BRING FIRE TO THE TURF
Nine familiar West Coast turf runners renew rivalries in the G2 Seabiscuit, and the mood is confident yet respectful. Stay Hot shortens up after two bold distance tries, including a runner-up finish in both the G2 Del Mar Handicap and the G2 John Henry Turf Classic.
“He’s a tweener,” trainer Peter Eurton said. “But he loves this place — that’s what matters.”
Fresh threat El Potente returns from rest, stronger and sharper, according to Dan Blacker. Cabo Spirit, ever-consistent, hasn’t missed the board in six graded tries. Almendares, Old Pal, Scoobie Quando and Sumter complete the cast — a field full of class rather than travelers.
Post time: 1:30 p.m., Race 5.
Early post Saturday: 11:30 a.m.
Weather clear for all three festival days.
Antonio Fresu turned 34 Monday with win No. 11 this season.
Umberto Rispoli leads riding standings, Papaprodromou atop trainers board.
Larry Collmus delivered another gem Monday calling Uecker “just a little outside” mid-run — a laugh shared warmly by those listening.
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