Salamis stakes double glory arrived with a roar of emotion on Saturday at Del Mar as Umberto Rispoli, eyes wide and arm raised in delight, guided the Chad Brown-trained runner through a dramatic late surge to capture the Grade I Hollywood Stakes by a neck. The crowd felt it — a horse digging deep, a jockey believing, and a trainer sealing a remarkable achievement with another top-level success.
Breaking from stall four in a compact field of eight, Rispoli settled Salamis sixth early, keeping the colt clear and relaxed. The early tempo was steady rather than searching, but the rider waited patiently, biding time for the moment the race would open for them. That moment arrived turning for home, when Salamis swept into contention beside leaders Test Score and the forward-placed Tom’s Magic.
With the final furlongs unfolding like a tightening spring, Tom’s Magic briefly surged to the front, only to be reeled in as Salamis lengthened powerfully in the shadow of the post. The winning margin was narrow — a neck — but the authority and heart behind it told the fuller story. Test Score, tight for room inside Tempus Volat until late, closed strongly to finish third, one and a quarter lengths behind Tom’s Magic.
UMBERTO RISPOLI, smiling even before unsaddling, explained the trust behind the ride:
“We had a nice chat this morning. Chad was very straightforward — pump him from the gate, settle, and keep a clean lane. The pace was slow, and I worried a little, but his turn of foot is always there. He’s a genuine fighter.”
SUBHEADING (focus keyword repeated once):
Salamis stakes double gives Brown fifth Hollywood Derby triumph
This latest success places Salamis firmly among the most promising turfers in the barn. The Juddemonte homebred has now won twice at stakes level, elevating his record to 7: 3-0-2 with earnings of $353,363. The win also stands as Chad Brown’s fifth victory in the historic Hollywood Derby — a milestone that underlines his longstanding affinity for the race and surface.
Jose Hernandez, speaking on behalf of Brown, highlighted the colt’s evolution.
“This horse is really talented and I knew he could get there,” he said. “He’s been running well in his last three and training superbly both at Keeneland and here. He truly deserved this.”
Official race fractions were 24.14, 49.92, 1:15.18, 1:39.20, with the mile and one-eighth completed in 1:50.74.
Sunday now brings the curtain down on the 12th edition of the Bing Crosby Season, featuring a nine-race card headlined by the Grade I Matriarch Stakes. First post is scheduled for 12:30 PM, promising one more afternoon of high-class racing before the gates close on another memorable meet.
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