Del Mar Autumn Meet Begins with Exciting Races Ahead
Del Mar's autumn horse racing season kicks off with thrilling stakes featuring formidable competitors, including the promising filly Green Carrera.
Del Mar's Autumn Racing Schedule
The Del Mar racetrack is set to launch its four-week autumn season starting this Friday. The spotlight falls on the formidable filly Green Carrera, ridden by Umberto Rispoli, as she competes against nine opponents, including the gelding Jordi Bear with Joel Rosario in the Let It Ride Stakes. This race, specifically for 3-year-olds, takes place over a mile on turf.
Green Carrera aims to improve her performance after finishing fourth in the Grade I Del Mar Oaks held in August, where she struggled with a slow start. During her previous outing, she triumphed impressively in a competitive 30-horse field at Royal Ascot.
Highlighted Races This Weekend
On Saturday, the 7-furlong The Chosen Vron Stakes will feature notable California-bred horses, including:
- Man O Rose, who previously took the win in 2025.
- Big City Lights, who claimed victory against Man O Rose in 2024 when it was known as the Cary Grant Stakes.
- Lovesick Blues, the surprise victor of last year’s Grade I Bing Crosby Stakes at Del Mar.
Sunday will host the Betty Grable Stakes, a $100,000 race for Cal-bred fillies and mares aged three and above, also contested over 7 furlongs.
Race Details and Key Dates
The first post for the races will be at 12:30 PM every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday until November 29. Notably, Del Mar will host races on Thanksgiving Day, November 26, starting earlier at 11 AM. The season will culminate with standout races including:
- Grade II Hollywood Turf Cup on November 27
- Grade I Hollywood Derby on November 28
- Grade I Matriarch on November 29
Last year, Umberto Rispoli dominated the fall meet with the most wins, while Joel Rosario led the standings this past summer. George Papaprodromou was the top trainer last fall, and Doug O’Neill took that honor this summer.
Quarter-Horse Highlights
This Sunday at Los Alamitos, the Grade I Los Alamitos Super Derby will feature several top contenders, including:
- Political Twist, the nation's 2025 champion 2-year-old.
- Doodah Cartel, who has previously secured victories in both the Los Al Winter Derby and the El Primero Del Año Derby.
- Champion filly Beuteeful.
The last filly to win this prestigious race was Flash N Roll in 2019.
Safety Concerns and Notable Retirements
The racing community grieves the loss of Pine Run, a 5-year-old thoroughbred gelding who tragically passed away after finishing sixth in a claiming race at Los Alamitos. This incident marks the 32nd fatality reported in 2026 at various California tracks, higher than the recent average. The California Horse Racing Board has recorded 14 fatalities at Los Alamitos this year alone, surpassing the average of 12 in recent years.
Additionally, the Breeders’ Cup has seen significant retirements. Notable retirements include Sovereignty, the classic winner, and other distinguished horses such as Deterministic and Magnitude. Many of these retired racehorses will be transitioning to farms where they will begin new chapters of their lives.
Future Races and Betting Insights
Looking ahead, the initial future wagering for the May 1, 2027, Kentucky Derby has closed with U.S.S. Valor at 6-1 odds and Hughes at 8-1, just before Hughes triumphed in last Friday’s Breeders' Cup Juvenile. It will be interesting to see how these horses develop in the coming months.
