Del Mar Race 9 - Pat O'brien S. Stakes
DR VENKMAN (1) is racing on turf for the first time today. Form was solid leading into in a Grade 1 last time when he finished 4.5 lengths back in fourth on dirt over 1207m at this track. Yet to miss the frame from four starts at the trip, including a win and should be hard to stop. STRONGHOLD (6) is back from a break and having his first look at a turf track. Has been in the money four times when resuming. Antonio Fresu who has scored on him two times retains the mount. Sure to play a big role. SPEED BOAT BEACH (2) is a progressive galloper who is first-up since finishing tenth over 1207m at Listed level at Churchill Downs (Dirt) four months ago which was the only run of that prep. Has a strong fresh record including a win and one minor placings. Has a high cruising speed. One of the main contenders. EXPRESS TRAIN (7) drifted back early when resuming last start and could only manage a 10 length fifth over 1710m in the G2 San Diego Handicap at this track (Dirt). Second up record is very strong. Can improve sharply here.

Jockey: Umberto Rispoli
Weight: 55kgs
Stats
Comments
Recent form sound. Last start 4th of 9 at this track in the G1 Bing Crosby Handicap on July 26 over 1207m, 4.5 len behind Lovesick Blues carrying 55.5kg at $4. Before that 2nd of 8 at Churchill Downs in G3 on June 28 over 1308m, 0.8 len behind Roll On Big Joe carrying 55kg at $2.71.
Last Starts 28 days since last start
Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
4/9 | 26/07/2025 | 28 | G1 OPEN 3U | $611,621.00 | Del Mar | 1207m | Fast | Antonio Fresu | 55.5kg | 1:08.74 | 8-5-4 | 2 |
| 4.5L | $4.00 |
2/8 | 28/06/2025 | 28 | G3 OPEN 3U | $388,802.00 | Churchill Downs | 1308m | Fast | Antonio Fresu | 55kg | 1:15.22 | 6-3-2 | 1 |
| 0.8L | $2.71 |
2/4 | 31/05/2025 | 273 | G3 OPEN 3U | $156,250.00 | Santa Anita Park | 1408m | Fast | Antonio Fresu | 57kg | 1:21.28 | 1-2-2 | 4 |
| 5.5L | $3.60 |
4/8 | 31/08/2024 | 35 | G1 OPEN 3U | $1,536,098.00 | Del Mar | 2012m | Fast | Antonio Fresu | 56kg | 2:02.10 | 3-4-4 | 3 |
| 3.0L | $2.10 |
1/5 | 27/07/2024 | 56 | G2 OPEN 3U | $451,128.00 | Del Mar | 1710m | Fast | Antonio Fresu | 53.5kg | 1:43.36 | 2-1-1 | 3 |
| 1.0L | $4.10 |
2/4 | 01/06/2024 | 224 | G2 OPEN 4U | $302,115.00 | Santa Anita Park | 1408m | Fast | Antonio Fresu | 54.5kg | 1:21.32 | 3-2-2 | 1 |
| 4.5L | $1.90 |

Jockey: Juan Hernandez
Weight: 55kgs
Stats
Comments
Back from a spell. Only had one start last preparation ran last of 10 at Churchill Downs in LR on May 1 over 1207m, 18 len behind Fort Bragg with 53.5kg at $2.70. When resuming last campaign 2nd of 9 at Santa Anita in the G2 Santa Anita Sprint Championship on September 30 2023 over 1207m, on a wet track; nose behind Dr Schivel carrying 54.5kg at $4.
Last Starts 114 days since last start
Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
10/10 | 01/05/2025 | 492 | LR OPEN 4U | $312,500.00 | Churchill Downs | 1207m | Fast | Flavien Prat | 53.5kg | 1:08.04 | 2-6-10 | 3 |
| 18.4L | $2.70 |
1/7 | 26/12/2023 | 52 | G1 OPEN 3 | $452,489.00 | Santa Anita Park | 1408m | Fast | Flavien Prat | 54.5kg | 1:21.70 | 1-1-1 | 3 |
| 1.5L | $2.60 |
4/8 | 04/11/2023 | 35 | G1 OPEN 3U | $3,144,654.00 | Santa Anita Park | 1207m | Fast | Mike E Smith | 56kg | 1:08.34 | 1-1-4 | 6 |
| 3.0L | $4.00 |
2/9 | 30/09/2023 | 300 | G2 OPEN 3U | $309,119.00 | Santa Anita Park | 1207m | Heavy | Victor Espinoza | 54.5kg | 1:08.49 | 2-1-2 | 8 |
| 0.1L | $4.00 |
1/8 | 04/12/2022 | 30 | G3 OPEN 2 | $148,810.00 | Del Mar | 1609m | FM | Flavien Prat | 55.5kg | 1:35.38 | 1-1-1 | 7 |
| 0.5L | $2.70 |
9/12 | 04/11/2022 | 33 | G1 OPEN 2 | $1,560,062.00 | Keeneland | 1106m | FM | Flavien Prat | 55.5kg | 1:02.41 | 4-7-9 | 11 |
| 10.5L | $6.68 |

Jockey: Mirco Demuro
Weight: 55kgs
Stats
Comments
Third-up today. Resuming ran last in a small field at Santa Anita in the G3 Triple Bend Stakes on May 31 over 1408m, 22 len behind Nysos carrying 57kg at $17.40. Second run from a spell second last of 9 at this track in the G1 Bing Crosby Handicap on July 26 over 1207m, 10 len behind Lovesick Blues carrying 55.5kg at $46.90.
Last Starts 28 days since last start
Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
8/9 | 26/07/2025 | 56 | G1 OPEN 3U | $611,621.00 | Del Mar | 1207m | Fast | Abel Cedillo | 55.5kg | 1:08.74 | 4-6-8 | 8 |
| 10.1L | $46.90 |
4/4 | 31/05/2025 | 63 | G3 OPEN 3U | $156,250.00 | Santa Anita Park | 1408m | Fast | Kyle Frey | 57kg | 1:21.28 | 3-4-4 | 2 |
| 22.8L | $17.40 |
3/5 | 29/03/2025 | 546 | G3 OPEN 4U | $158,479.00 | Santa Anita Park | 1408m | Fast | Kyle Frey | 56kg | 1:23.98 | 3-2-3 | 3 |
| 1.3L | $19.00 |
9/9 | 30/09/2023 | 35 | G2 OPEN 3U | $309,119.00 | Santa Anita Park | 1207m | Heavy | Joe Bravo | 57kg | 1:08.49 | 6-8-9 | 9 |
| 14.2L | $7.80 |
5/10 | 26/08/2023 | 28 | G2 OPEN 3U | $374,251.00 | Del Mar | 1408m | Fast | Joe Bravo | 56kg | 1:23.21 | 3-2-5 | 7 |
| 4.5L | $3.80 |
12/12 | 29/07/2023 | 63 | G1 OPEN 3U | $598,802.00 | Del Mar | 1207m | Fast | Joe Bravo | 56kg | 1:09.24 | 11-11-12 | 2 |
| 16.8L | $5.40 |

Jockey: Kazushi Kimura
Weight: 55kgs
Stats
Comments
Yet to taste defeat in two starts. Closed last prep favourite; tracked the speed and boxed on steadily; won by a 0.3 len at Santa Anita February 11 2024 over 1609m defeating Imagination carrying 55.5kg at $1.30.
Last Starts 559 days since last start
Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1/5 | 11/02/2024 | 22 | ALLOW OCLM 3 | $101,669.00 | Santa Anita Park | 1609m | Fast | J J Hernandez | 55.5kg | 1:36.65 | 2-2-1 | 1 |
| 0.3L | $1.30 |
1/8 | 20/01/2024 | - | MDN 3 | $95,308.00 | Santa Anita Park | 1308m | Fast | J J Hernandez | 55.5kg | 1:15.59 | 2-1-1 | 2 |
| 7.5L | $1.90 |

Jockey: Armando Ayuso
Weight: 55kgs
Stats
Comments
Last start won by 0.8 len at this track August 2 over 1207m defeating Wayne The Brain carrying 55.5kg at $11.80. The start before that won by 1.75 len at Los Alamitos June 28 over 1207m defeating Rexford with 57kg at $4.
Last Starts 21 days since last start
Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1/7 | 02/08/2025 | 35 | ALLOW OCLM 3U | $125,581.00 | Del Mar | 1207m | Fast | Armando Ayuso | 55.5kg | 1:10.34 | 6-3-1 | 5 |
| 0.8L | $11.80 |
1/7 | 28/06/2025 | 36 | CLM 3U | $54,432.00 | Los Alamitos | 1207m | Fast | Armando Ayuso | 57kg | 1:09.15 | 5-1-1 | 7 |
| 1.8L | $4.00 |
6/6 | 23/05/2025 | 70 | CLM 3U | $67,188.00 | Santa Anita Park | 1609m | FM | Armando Ayuso | 55.5kg | 1:35.60 | 2-3-6 | 6 |
| 5.6L | $22.00 |
1/6 | 14/03/2025 | 47 | CLM 4U | $57,785.00 | Santa Anita Park | 1308m | Fast | Armando Ayuso | 56kg | 1:14.82 | 3-2-1 | 3 |
| 1.0L | $3.40 |
2/6 | 26/01/2025 | 170 | HCP 4U | $59,677.00 | Santa Anita Park | 1308m | Heavy | Armando Ayuso | 55.5kg | 1:17.23 | 6-2-2 | 6 |
| 2.8L | $23.10 |
10/11 | 09/08/2024 | 12 | CLM 3U | $46,083.00 | Del Mar | 1609m | FM | Joseph Talamo | 56.5kg | 1:35.88 | 4-7-10 | 7 |
| 9.7L | $22.20 |

Jockey: Antonio Fresu
Weight: 56kgs
Stats
Comments
Has won previously first-up and resumes here after a break of seven months. Finished off last campaign second last of 11 at Gulfstream Park in the G1 Pegasus World Cup January 25 over 1811m, 23 len behind White Abarrio with 56kg at $8.20. First up last campaign second in a small field at Santa Anita in the G1 Malibu Stakes December 26 over 1408m, 1.3 len behind Raging Torrent with 55.5kg at $5.60.
Last Starts 210 days since last start
Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
10/11 | 25/01/2025 | 30 | G1 OPEN 4U | $4,838,710.00 | Gulfstream Park | 1811m | Fast | Antonio Fresu | 56kg | 1:48.05 | 1-9-10 | 6 |
| 23.8L | $8.20 |
2/6 | 26/12/2024 | 96 | G1 OPEN 3 | $462,250.00 | Santa Anita Park | 1408m | Fast | Antonio Fresu | 55.5kg | 1:21.54 | 1-4-2 | 5 |
| 1.3L | $5.60 |
2/11 | 21/09/2024 | 77 | G1 OPEN 3 | $1,470,588.00 | Parx | 1811m | Fast | Antonio Fresu | 57kg | 1:51.89 | 7-2-2 | 11 |
| 3.8L | $6.20 |
2/7 | 06/07/2024 | 63 | G3 OPEN 3 | $451,128.00 | Indiana Downs | 1710m | Fast | Antonio Fresu | 56kg | 1:42.26 | 1-3-2 | 2 |
| 2.5L | $2.20 |
7/20 | 04/05/2024 | 28 | G1 OPEN 3 | $7,645,260.00 | Churchill Downs | 2012m | Fast | Antonio Fresu | 57kg | 2:03.34 | 5-6-7 | 17 |
| 12.9L | $36.55 |
1/8 | 06/04/2024 | 48 | G1 OPEN 3 | $1,152,074.00 | Santa Anita Park | 1811m | Fast | Antonio Fresu | 56kg | 1:49.98 | 1-1-1 | 3 |
| 0.3L | $3.20 |

Jockey: Hector Berrios
Weight: 55kgs
Stats
Comments
Second-up. First-up after five months second last in a small field at this track in the G2 San Diego Handicap on July 26 over 1710m, 10 len behind Nysos carrying 55kg at $28.10. Previously second-up 2nd of 7 at Santa Anita in the G2 San Pasqual Stakes on January 25 over 1811m, 2 len behind Katonah with 54.5kg at $7.70.
Last Starts 28 days since last start
Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
5/6 | 26/07/2025 | 147 | G2 OPEN 3U | $458,716.00 | Del Mar | 1710m | Fast | Mike E Smith | 55kg | 1:42.61 | 5-5-5 | 3 |
| 10.8L | $28.10 |
2/8 | 01/03/2025 | 35 | G1 OPEN 4U | $481,541.00 | Santa Anita Park | 2012m | Fast | Hector Isaac Berrios | 54.5kg | 2:01.71 | 4-2-2 | 1 |
| 8.5L | $13.00 |
2/7 | 25/01/2025 | 30 | G2 OPEN 4U | $322,581.00 | Santa Anita Park | 1811m | Fast | Hector Isaac Berrios | 54.5kg | 1:51.36 | 5-1-2 | 3 |
| 2.0L | $7.70 |
4/8 | 26/12/2024 | 152 | G2 OPEN 3U | $308,166.00 | Santa Anita Park | 1710m | Fast | Luis Saez | 55kg | 1:43.80 | 3-3-4 | 4 |
| 3.1L | $5.90 |
3/5 | 27/07/2024 | 91 | G2 OPEN 3U | $451,128.00 | Del Mar | 1710m | Fast | Mike E Smith | 54.5kg | 1:43.36 | 5-4-3 | 1 |
| 4.8L | $7.60 |
3/7 | 27/04/2024 | 574 | LR OPEN 4U | $153,610.00 | Santa Anita Park | 1308m | Fast | Mike E Smith | 56kg | 1:14.82 | 4-3-3 | 7 |
| 5.8L | $12.30 |

Jockey: Abel Lezcano
Weight: 55kgs
Stats
Comments
Second run back. First-up after a year second last of 7 at this track on July 20 over 1308m, 7 len behind See Through It carrying 54.5kg at $2.80. Previously second-up 2nd of 8 at Santa Anita on October 28 2023 over 1308m, 2.75 len behind Favoritism carrying 54.5kg at $3.30.
Last Starts 34 days since last start
Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
6/7 | 20/07/2025 | 331 | ALLOW OCLM 3U | $125,382.00 | Del Mar | 1308m | Fast | Hector Isaac Berrios | 54.5kg | 1:15.92 | 7-5-6 | 7 |
| 7.0L | $2.80 |
3/8 | 23/08/2024 | 55 | LR OPEN 3 | $768,049.00 | Charles Town | 1408m | Fast | Joel Rosario | 54.5kg | 1:23.58 | 4-2-3 | 4 |
| 4.8L | $4.40 |
4/5 | 29/06/2024 | 48 | LR OPEN 3 | $151,057.00 | Los Alamitos | 1811m | Fast | Hector Isaac Berrios | 54kg | 1:50.51 | 2-1-4 | 1 |
| 5.1L | $1.70 |
1/4 | 12/05/2024 | 36 | LR OPEN 3 | $152,905.00 | Santa Anita Park | 1408m | Fast | Hector Isaac Berrios | 54.5kg | 1:21.86 | 1-1-1 | 2 |
| 7.0L | $4.70 |
5/8 | 06/04/2024 | 56 | G1 OPEN 3 | $1,152,074.00 | Santa Anita Park | 1811m | Fast | Umberto Rispoli | 56kg | 1:49.98 | 8-4-5 | 2 |
| 11.3L | $11.30 |
2/8 | 10/02/2024 | 29 | LR OPEN 3 | $151,745.00 | Golden Gate | 1811m | Fast | Evin A Roman | 55.5kg | 1:50.68 | 3-1-2 | 7 |
| 1.3L | $4.70 |

Jockey: Edwin Maldonado
Weight: 55kgs
Stats
Comments
Gelding back from a spell of ten months. Has placed previously first up from a break. Finished off last campaign second in a small field at this track in the LR November 9 over 1408m, 8 len behind Big City Lights carrying 55.5kg at $3.60. When resuming last campaign second of 7 at Santa Anita September 29 2023 over 1207m, 2.25 len behind Grazed with 55kg at $2.10.
Last Starts 287 days since last start
Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2/5 | 09/11/2024 | 21 | LR OPEN 3U | $152,207.00 | Del Mar | 1408m | Fast | Edwin Maldonado | 55.5kg | 1:21.39 | 3-2-2 | 1 |
| 8.5L | $3.60 |
6/9 | 19/10/2024 | 35 | LR OPEN 3U | $115,607.00 | Santa Anita Park | 1609m | FM | Edwin Maldonado | 57kg | 1:32.90 | 2-3-6 | 2 |
| 2.5L | $4.40 |
1/7 | 14/09/2024 | 43 | LR OPEN 3U | $110,294.00 | Los Alamitos | 1609m | Fast | Edwin Maldonado | 55.5kg | 1:35.52 | 1-1-1 | 3 |
| 8.0L | $2.10 |
6/6 | 02/08/2024 | 47 | ALLOW OCLM 3U | $124,424.00 | Del Mar | 1006m | FM | Edwin Maldonado | 56kg | 0:56.42 | 4-5-6 | 4 |
| 5.4L | $3.20 |
1/7 | 16/06/2024 | 35 | ALLOW 3U | $92,145.00 | Santa Anita Park | 1207m | FM | Edwin Maldonado | 55kg | 1:06.88 | 1-1-1 | 4 |
| 2.0L | $12.10 |
1/5 | 12/05/2024 | 22 | ALLOW OCLM 4U | $87,156.00 | Santa Anita Park | 1207m | Fast | Edwin Maldonado | 56kg | 1:09.50 | 1-1-1 | 2 |
| 2.0L | $1.60 |