A two-time Del Mar leading trainer (2022 and 2023), D’Amato didn’t wear the crown in 2024, but his resurgence at Santa Anita’s Hollywood meet this spring signaled what was to come. “We definitely gear up for the second half of the year,” he said. “Del Mar is part of that. The purses are really good here and it’s when the bigger races start to take hold leading into the Breeders’ Cup.”
D’Amato’s Firepower for Del Mar 2025
D’Amato’s barn is loaded. Iscreamuscream, the 2024 Horse of the Meet, has yet to debut this year but is targeting the G2 John Mabee on closing weekend. Meanwhile, Gold Phoenix, a three-time winner of the G2 Del Mar Handicap, is set to resume training after being scratched from the Eddie Read due to a minor cut. He’s aiming for the August 30 renewal of his signature race.
The G2 Del Mar Mile on Pacific Classic Day could feature a double-barreled D’Amato attack with Almendares and G1 Shoemaker Mile victor King of Gosford. As for the progressive Thought Process, she’s being pointed to the G1 Del Mar Oaks on August 23. Other elite names include Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint runner-up Motorious and 2024 John Mabee heroine Hang the Moon.
Iron Man Cal, despite his Oceanside misstep, remains on track for the Del Mar Derby. “That was our prep,” said D’Amato. “He’ll be a main contender if he breaks well next time.” All eyes are now on how this strong squad performs through the rest of Del Mar 2025.
Allowance Opener Sets the Tone at Del Mar 2025
Thursday’s card begins with a barn-burner of a five-furlong allowance. Sorrento Sky, a G3-placed runner and Stormy Liberal runner-up, headlines a small but quality field that includes Boss Sully (2nd in the G2 Turf Sprint on Derby Day), Sumter (last seen just behind Motorious), and battle-tested runners Daniel’s Magic and Virat. The race could pass for a stakes event in disguise, and it sets an exciting tone for Del Mar 2025.
Speedy Wilson Returns in Real Good Deal Stakes
Friday’s $150,000 Real Good Deal Stakes brings back California’s top 2-year-old of 2024 Speedy Wilson. Unseen since last fall’s Breeders’ Cup weekend, the colt returns off a layoff but has been training smartly. “He’s been ticking for a while,” said Philip D’Amato. “This has been our goal, the last Cal-bred straight 3-year-old stake.”
Stablemate Shea Brennan also lines up. The unlucky disqualified winner of the Cal Cup Derby looks to reclaim lost glory. Peter Miller’s Style Cat looms as a threat cutting back to 7 furlongs and returning to the dirt he thrives on. The 38th Real Good Deal is Race 6 on the twilight Friday card, with probable post at 6:30 p.m. It’s another spotlight for stars of Del Mar 2025.
Jockeys and Trainers Thrive at Del Mar 2025
Juan Hernandez leads all riders again, winning 12 of 43 starts, including the Daisycutter Stakes. Antonio Fresu (9 wins) and Hector I. Berrios (7) trail him, while a deep roster of talent including Kazushi Kimura and Armando Ayuso make this a fierce colony. Five different jockeys scored in last weekend’s five stakes races. Rispoli and Berrios each grabbed two stakes wins early in the meet. Berrios even flew to Saratoga to ride Baeza to second behind Kentucky Derby champ Sovereignty in the G2 Jim Dandy.
On the trainer side, Mark Glatt and Peter Miller share top billing with six wins apiece. Glatt, who won his first Del Mar title last fall, continues to rise. Miller remains a perennial powerhouse with nine career titles at the seaside oval. Philip D’Amato is close behind with four wins and two stakes already in the bag for Del Mar 2025.
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