This week we are going to where the surf meets the turf at Del Mar for a pair of graded stake races.
The Grade II San Clemente and Grade II San Diego highlight a strong Saturday card at the Southern California track known for its location and good times.
Del Mar
Grade II San Diego Handicap
(8th race, 5:30 p.m.)
The race this year may turn out to be one of the top races in Southern California as the 1-1/16-mile race on the main track brings together well-known horses.
Here is a look at the runners that I found interesting.
Journalism (Michael McCarthy, Umberto Rispoli) is a horse I have been a big fan since the Kentucky Derby trail last year. He ran in all three Triple Crown races in 2025, finishing second in the Derby, winning the Preakness, and finishing second in the Belmont. Both the losses came to Sovereignty. After finishing fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Classic Nov. 1 at Del Mar last year, he went to the shelf until the Oaklawn Handicap on April 18 where he was third to White Abarrio and Sovereignty. He came back with another third in the Met Mile June 6 at Saratoga finishing behind Nysos and Knightsbridge. He’s got a streak of six races where he had surpassed a 100 Beyer mark and now comes home to California. He also picks back up Umberto Rispoli as the pilot after having Jose Ortiz in the irons the last three races. Rispoli has been on the horse for five of his six wins, missing only the debut maiden score. It looks like there is enough speed signed up to give Journalism a good pace to run at when they turn for home. I think a lot lines up here.
Mirahmadi (Bob Baffert, Juan Hernandez) is named for iconic announcer Frank Mirahmadi and has four seconds and a third in eight career starts at Del Mar. The concern is the last time he ran was in this race last year. That day he led throughout until being caught and passed by Nysos at 16/1. He has had a solid work tab for the return, with the last two being solid morning shows and I fully expect this one to be out front setting the pace. The barn can have a horse ready to win after a long break.
Full Serrano (John Sadler, Joel Rosario) has won $1.2 million in prize money, winning seven and running second six times in 22 career starts. He has struggled in both starts this year, finishing third in the Pegasus World Cup, then fourth in the Oaklawn Mile in his last start on March 28. He has been off since then but a monster work July 12 at Santa Anita has him looking ready for a strong run.
Mc Vay (Peter Eurton, Hector Berrios) toyed with the Derby trail back in 2024 after running third in the San Felipe. A poor showing in the Santa Anita Derby (7th, beaten 14 lengths) ended those helps. A win in an optional claimer at Santa Anita on April 5 broke a five-race string of subpar performances. He wired the field that day and gave the connections hope as they turned around and ran in the Grade II Gold Cup on May 25 at Santa Anita. He was third in the five-horse field, getting out of the gate slow and never getting into the race. I look for him to break strong from the rail and be a big factor with the pace. He may be a big factor in setting up the race for Journalism.
Grade II San Clemente Handicap
(9th race, 6 p.m.)
This one goes one mile on the turf and is for 3-year-old fillies, with 11 horses entering.
There is no heavy favorite or dominate horse here meaning it is a wide-open event that should have some value plays.
Peanutbutterbomb (Phil D’Amato, Antonio Fresu) looks like had the best last-race form with an 82 Beyer but that came in a $100,000 optional claimer on May 15 at Santa Anita as the 5/2 favorite. Much respect to the barn to put his horses in good spots. Hard to get a running style for this spot as she comes from the back and has also shown the front-end speed as well.
Light Won Up (Doug O’Neill, Emisael Jaramillo) has seen some good races recently, finishing fourth in the Grade III Limestone, then second in the Grade III Senorita on May 9 at Santa Anita. She sits close to the pace and moves on the final turn.
Marjoram (Michael McCarthy, Juan Hernandez) beat Light Won Up two back in the Senorita. The last out at the Grade III Summer Oaks on June 13 at Santa Anita, she was fifth, beaten 14 lengths at 2/1. This is a horse that loves to come from off the pace, but I am not sure she will get enough pace to run at.
Inbox (Phil D’Amato, Joel Rosario) last out was second on June 6 in the Honeymoon at Santa Anita, beating three others entered here. She’s got a maiden win on Jan. 24 to go with the place in three starts this year. Like the previous horse she likes to come off the pace and like the previous horse, I am not sure she will get the speed she needs for the close.
By Dennis Miller