There was a touch of sentiment in the air at Del Mar on Saturday as Man O Rose kept his flawless season alive, winning the $100,000 The Chosen Vron Stakes with poise and authority. The victory, achieved under regular rider Edwin Maldonado, marked the gelding’s third consecutive triumph in 2025 — and his fourth state-bred stakes success overall.
It wasn’t just another win. For trainer Jeff Mullins, it was a moment tinged with nostalgia. “It’s kind of nice to have The Chosen Vron gone,” he said with a smile. “I loved that horse, but he was tough to beat.” This year, with the race named in honor of the two-time California Horse of the Year, Man O Rose delivered a performance worthy of the namesake — honest, powerful, and polished.
A Confident Ride and a Perfect Execution
Sent off as the 4-5 favorite, Man O Rose broke sharply and seized control early, with longshot Drop Um (26-1) and jockey Kyle Frey pushing the pace. The pair locked horns through sharp fractions of 22.32 and 44.63, while Clovisconnection (8-1) threatened briefly along the rail.
But Maldonado, who knew exactly what he had beneath him, waited patiently for the right moment. As the field rounded the far turn, Man O Rose switched gears, opened up, and never looked back — finishing 1 ½ lengths clear in 1:21.66 for seven furlongs.
“I just wanted to make it to the top of the stretch without pressing the button too soon,” Maldonado said afterward. “He’s comfortable on the outside, and once I got him to switch leads, he gave me that second gear.”
Drop Um held on gamely for second, a half-length ahead of Shea Brennan (2-1), who came wide down the lane to take third. Clovisconnection finished just behind them in fourth.
Mullins and Maldonado’s Trusted Partnership
Trainer Jeff Mullins praised both horse and rider for their understanding of each other’s rhythm. “Man O Rose likes to be outside,” he explained. “If he’s inside, he gets a little weird. Edwin knows him well. If there’s a lot of pace, he just moves him out to the middle of the track and lets him roll.”
This latest win adds another chapter to the gelding’s impressive record. Owned and bred by B & B Zietz Stables, the five-year-old son of Stanford has now earned $497,965 with a career tally of 17: 10-3-0.
Man O Rose had already impressed earlier this year, returning from a ten-month layoff to win the E.B. Johnston Stakes for the second time before taking the California Flag Handicap by a nose at Santa Anita on October 10.
At Del Mar, he looked every inch the professional — a horse growing more confident with every start.
The Numbers and Payouts
-
Winning time: 1:21.66
-
Fractions: 22.32, 44.63, 1:08.82
-
Win: Man O Rose ($3.60)
-
Place: Drop Um ($13.40)
-
Show: Shea Brennan ($2.60)
Live racing continues at Del Mar on Sunday with a nine-race card beginning at 12:30 PM.
Read more racing news and updates on RaceBuzz.
