There are moments at Del Mar when a young horse takes flight and makes you believe in brilliance. Friday was one of those moments — as Mohaven, a daughter of Yaupon, stamped her name on California racing’s future with a dazzling victory in the Golden State Juvenile Fillies Stakes.
The $175,000 contest, part of the CTBA-sponsored Golden State Series for California-bred or sired two-year-old fillies, delivered its share of drama and delight. Sent off as the 9-5 favorite, Mohaven broke alertly under Hector Berrios, sitting just off the early pace set by Cashed (7-1) and Tyler Gaffalione. The pair matched strides until the far turn, where Mohaven began to roll — a fluid, determined move that carried her past the leader and into open daylight. Despite a slight inward drift through the stretch, she straightened up smartly to pull away by 4¼ lengths at the finish.
Cashed fought bravely to retain second, holding off Liberation (4-1) and Juan Hernandez, another filly from the John Sadler barn, who closed resolutely for third.
“This filly really impressed me today,” said a smiling Hector Berrios, who scored an early stakes double on the card. “She moved well at the three-eighths pole and responded when I asked her to go after the leader. She did shift in a bit when she switched leads, but I didn’t think there was enough contact for the results to change.”
For trainer John Sadler, the win was both rewarding and affirming. Mohaven had shown flashes of ability in her earlier races but was stretching out beyond 5½ furlongs for the first time. Her previous effort in September’s Generous Portion Stakes had yielded a game runner-up finish, and this time, with a cleaner trip and a favorable draw, she was ready to shine.
“This is the best draw she’s gotten,” Sadler reflected. “She ran three good races here — two seconds and now a win. We gave her a little time to freshen up, and she really rewarded us today.”
Racing exclusively at Del Mar, Mohaven has compiled an enviable record of 4 starts: 2 wins, 2 seconds, pushing her career earnings to $182,750 for owner Legacy Ranch Inc. The filly’s development has been steady, her temperament improving with each run — a sign that bigger days may lie ahead as she matures.
The win also marked another successful chapter in Sadler’s strong autumn campaign, with his young stable continuing to fire on all cylinders.
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