Baffert's Trio Gears Up for Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Prep at Santa Anita
Three Rising Stars Vie for Breeders' Cup Berth in Oak Leaf Stakes
Holmby's Bid for Breeders' Cup Glory: Stepping Up to Two Turns
Holmby, a distinguished winner of the Grade 3 Sorrento Stakes, is set to embark on a new challenge in the Oak Leaf Stakes. This will be her inaugural race over an extended distance, marking a significant moment in her burgeoning career. Trained by the renowned Bob Baffert, Holmby showcased her early potential by securing a maiden victory at Del Mar in July, followed by her impressive Sorrento win. Despite a third-place finish in the Del Mar Debutante, her connections remain optimistic about her ability to handle the longer trip. The daughter of Corniche, a champion 2-year-old colt, will be guided by jockey Ricky Gonzalez, as she aims to secure an automatic entry into the prestigious Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies.
Free Closer: A Promising Contender from Michael McCarthy's Stable
Trainer Michael McCarthy introduces Free Closer, a California-bred filly by Pavel, into the competitive field. Free Closer demonstrated her prowess with a dominant 8 1/4-length victory in the CTBA Stakes, a race for statebreds. Her fourth-place finish in the Del Mar Debutante indicates her readiness for higher-level competition. With Joel Rosario taking the reins for the first time, Free Closer is poised to make a strong impression in the Oak Leaf Stakes, challenging the Baffert trainees for the top spot.
Baffert's Supporting Cast: Quattro Passi and Deluge Seek Continued Success
Bob Baffert's formidable presence in the Oak Leaf Stakes is further solidified by the inclusion of Quattro Passi and Deluge. Quattro Passi, a $190,000 purchase, made a statement in her second career start by romping to a 9 1/4-length maiden win at Del Mar. This daughter of Girvin will have experienced jockey Mike Smith aboard. Deluge, another impressive maiden winner, triumphed in her sole start over five furlongs on turf. This $280,000 auction acquisition, sired by Maximus Mischief, will be ridden by Juan Hernandez. Both fillies carry the hopes of their connections to prove their mettle against a competitive field and secure valuable Breeders' Cup qualifying points.
The Oak Leaf Stakes: A Dual Pathway to Championship Races
Beyond its immediate prestige, the Oak Leaf Stakes serves as a pivotal race for future championship aspirations. It is not only a direct qualifier for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies, granting a fees-paid berth to the winner, but also a crucial stop on the road to the Kentucky Oaks 2027. The top five finishers in the Oak Leaf will earn valuable qualifying points (10-5-3-2-1), making this race a strategic target for trainers aiming for both end-of-year and next-season classics. The race outcome will undoubtedly shape the landscape of the juvenile filly division and influence the contenders for major stakes races in the coming year.