A new stakes winner emerged at Del Mar on Sunday as Rabeeba maintained an unbeaten record with a composed victory in the 49th running of the Torrey Pines Stakes for three-year-old fillies.
The Michael Lund Petersen-owned Rabeeba stepped up from allowance company to Grade III level and handled the rise in class with authority, covering a mile on the main track in 1:38.19. Juan Hernandez guided the filly to a two-and-a-quarter-length success for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert.
Torrey Pines Stakes 2026 marked an important step forward in Rabeeba’s developing career.
Rabeeba had entered the race with two victories from two starts, but the assignment at Del Mar represented a different test. The mile distance and stronger opposition demanded more, and the three-year-old responded with a performance that suggested there is plenty more to come.
She’s No Quant, representing Reddam Racing, finished second, while Bank Shot was another two and a quarter lengths away in third for WSS Racing.
The Grade III contest carried a purse of $151,000, with $90,000 going to the winner. Rabeeba’s success also extended Baffert’s long association with the race, giving the trainer a ninth Torrey Pines Stakes victory.
For Hernandez, the result was another notable milestone during the Del Mar meeting. It was the rider’s ninth stakes victory of the stand and 74th overall at the coastal track.
The race also provided a useful indication of Rabeeba’s progress. Drawn inside, the filly had to cope with racing behind other runners for the first time after an imperfect break. She settled into position before gradually finding her rhythm and produced the decisive run in the straight.
That experience could prove particularly valuable as Rabeeba moves into stronger company. The ability to negotiate traffic and settle into a race without wasting energy will be an important part of her education.
The Torrey Pines Stakes has become one of the notable fixtures on Del Mar’s summer calendar for three-year-old fillies, and Rabeeba’s victory added another promising name to its roll of honour.
The meeting will now take a short break before returning for the final five days of the Del Mar session over the Labor Day weekend. Racing will resume next Thursday and Friday with a 2 p.m. first post, before moving to 1:30 p.m. for the final three days.
For Rabeeba, however, the attention will turn to what comes next. Three starts have produced three wins, and the latest came against a stronger field over a longer distance. The unbeaten filly has now earned her place among the horses to follow as the season develops.
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