Del Mar: Sophomore Turf Fillies Set for San Clemente Showdown
This Saturday, the Del Mar racetrack will host a thrilling competition as a strong lineup of three-year-old fillies prepares to contend in the prestigious Grade 2 San Clemente Handicap. This highly anticipated event serves as a vital preliminary race for the Del Mar Oaks (G1) next month, promising an exciting display of talent and speed on the turf.
Del Mar Oaks Prelude: A Deep Field Battles for San Clemente Honors
On July 18, 2026, the second feature race of the day at Del Mar, the Grade 2 San Clemente Handicap, will draw attention to the promising three-year-old fillies' grass division. A full roster of eleven contenders is slated to go to the starting gate for this one-mile challenge. Among the notable entries, Brendan Walsh has brought Raiding Party, an Irish-bred filly, from Kentucky. Ground Support, who impressively secured a third-place finish in last fall's Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Del Mar, will be saddled by Kelsey Danner. Saffie Joseph Jr. is also sending Spirit Doll, a contender fresh off a victory in the $75,000 Honey Ryder at Gulfstream Park in May. Joseph notes the logistical ease of shipping to California for a graded stake opportunity as a key factor in their decision, hoping for a win or at least a placed finish.
Local trainer Philip D'Amato is ready to defend home turf with three entries. Inbox, an English-bred filly, recently missed victory by a narrow margin in the $100,000 Honeymoon at Santa Anita. D'Amato believes jockey Joel Rosario has gained valuable insight into her racing style, suggesting her preference for the Del Mar grass course could lead to a better performance. Inbox's stablemate, Peanutbutterbombe, enters the race after a recent allowance win, with D'Amato touting her as a strong contender due to her impressive burst of speed. Cortina d'Amprezzo, another Irish-bred from D'Amato's barn, is also expected to make an impact after breaking her maiden by four lengths last month.
Juddmonte Farm's Marjoram, trained by Michael McCarthy, seeks redemption after a disappointing fifth-place finish in the G3 Summertime Oaks, where McCarthy admits to misjudgment regarding her first two-turn dirt race. Marjoram had previously triumphed in the G3 Senorita on Santa Anita's downhill turf course. Lookin At Diamond, trained by Leonard Powell, demonstrated her potential with a third-place finish in the Honeymoon, just a length and a half behind Inbox. Powell acknowledges her ongoing development, anticipating further improvement from this talented filly. The 59th running of the San Clemente Handicap is scheduled as race 9 on Saturday's program, with an estimated post time of 9 p.m. EDT.
The San Clemente Handicap not only highlights rising stars in the turf filly division but also showcases the strategic decisions made by trainers to optimize their horses' chances on a competitive stage. The blend of seasoned and developing talent promises a compelling race, serving as an excellent prelude to more significant events on the racing calendar. It reinforces the dynamic and unpredictable nature of horse racing, where each race is a testament to careful planning, horse potential, and the thrill of competition.