Their Turf, Of Course: SoCal Grass Barns Chase Breeders’ Cup Glory

[Wandering Eyes]

DEL MAR, CA – A swing through the course of American Thoroughbred history yields the widely-accepted conclusion that dirt plays the king in these parts, while turf is the patient understudy offstage left–turns are configured in that direction over here.

It was not all that long ago that droves of U.S. tracks debated whether putting in a bladed surface and acquiring something called a going stick made any sense.

Progressive places like Del Mar's Thoroughbred Club damned the salt in the marine layer and forged ahead with its first course around 1960, roughly when J.F.K. won the first televised Presidential debate against Nixon but supposedly tanked over the radio.

Switching to the subject of modern racing on the turf, one could argue that when the Breeders' Cup World Championships brought John Gaines's vision into reality by the mid-80s the American grass course entered a new phase. Mind you, Europeans separated by a common surface took full advantage by laying waste as Breeders' Cup turf conquerors.

Over the last thirteen renditions of the World Championships, the Southern California set of lawn specialists have had their chance on nine occasions at both Santa Anita and Del Mar to play a series of veritable home games. Knowing the ground, denizens could settle comfortably, dart through traffic troubles like they were on the nearby 5 and surf versus the best in the world.

Desert Code takes the Breeders' Cup Sprint | Sarah Andrew

Visits to the top of the podium over the long history of the Breeders' Cup have been few and far between though for turfers who call Southern California home–no disrespect to the accomplishments of Desert Code (E Dubai), California Flag (Avenue of Flags), War Chant (Danzig), Mizdirection (Mizzen Mast), Obviously (Ire) (Choisir {Aus}), Stormy Liberal (Stormy Atlantic), Belvoir Bay (GB) (Equiano {Fr}), and lest we forget, that late run from Richard Mandella trainee Johar (Gone West) in 2003.

However, we should not lose sight of the fact that this is turf racing and that means trends change on a dime. Just ask the Japanese about how fortunes can change.

It's time to face facts though. Opportunities for the local cadre to be welcomed to the winner's circle by Drew Fleming and Dora Delgado are coming to an end for the time being in the Golden State since the purple bunting is set to ship to Keeneland next year, and then head eastward to the new and sparkling beautiful Belmont Park for 2027.

That news does not mean the World Championships will not return to the left coast, but what is even more undeniable is that the chances across seven races on their home turf are here.

Could this be the year when California-based grass horses become the sultans of their own sod?

 

Where the Turf Meets the Nuances

Talking with those who hang their shingle outside Southern California shedrows on the eve of this week's Breeders' Cup turf events, there is a healthy respect across the board for who and what they are up against.

Trainer John Sadler | Benoit

Facing a future legend like Goldikova (Ire) (Anabaa), who dominated the GI Breeders' Cup Mile for three years running starting in 2008, is pretty much business as usual when you enter a turf race during the World Championships according to trainer John Sadler. The veteran conditioner also said that knowing the ins-and-outs of the Jimmy Durante oval certainly cannot hurt.

“Having raced on this surface at Del Mar for like a million years it's a little nuanced,” Sadler said. “For instance, with several Breeders' Cup races going a mile on this course the best possible post would be on the inside. I'm not saying you can't have a winner from way outside, but it's a fairly short run to the first turn. So either you need to get up and over or drop back at safe ground. These turns are kind of tight and that means you have to have a horse that can handle them.”

Sadler, who has relished some seminal Breeders' Cup wins on the dirt, has never hit the board with one of his grass runners over the three Del Mar Breeders' Cups. That could change with juvenile colt GSW Hey Nay Nay (Ire) (No Nay Never), who the trainer says is advanced despite being lightly-raced when compared to international competition he will face in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Stakes.

“Hey Nay Nay is a 2-year-old who broke his maiden early in what was a good time at Santa Anita,” said Sadler. “He shipped successfully to Monmouth for a stake and his numbers have kept improving. When he won the Del Mar Juvenile Turf that told us that preparing for the Breeders' Cup was in order. The Europeans are good, there's no question about that, but he's going to be in his element. He's a home court kid, in the same stall he was in this summer and he's a little more like a 3-year-old than a 2-year-old.”

 

You Want a Tactical Tesla

Trainer Michael McCarthy, who also has an entry slated for the Juvenile Turf in SW Stark Contrast (Oscar Performance), said that the turf course at Del Mar contrasts on several levels with the one at Santa Anita, which is a place where they race nine months out of the year.

Stark Contrast is young but learning | Benoit

“The marine layer at Del Mar gives the course a bit more juice, maybe a touch softer this time of year than we are used to in the summer or at Santa Anita where the stretch is longer and the turns are more forgiving,” McCarthy said. “With Stark Contrast, he's more of a medium-sized horse and even though he is still learning the game and doing some baby-ish things, he's getting better all the time. He's got a win over the surface down there [maiden special weight Sept. 6], which bodes well for him.”

Speaking of members of McCarthy's shedrow with seaside turf experience, Formidable Man (City of Light) clearly has an affinity for the sea air. Owned by La Jolla residents William & Suzanne Warren, the 4-year-old colt can be defined as a proverbial 'horse for the course' since he owns a perfect six-for-six record over the local strip. The winner last out of the GII Del Mar Mile Stakes Aug. 30 will contest the GI FanDuel Breeders' Cup Mile–a race which saw McCarthy entrant Smooth Like Strait (Midnight Lute) finish as the runner-up in 2021.

“Horses that are tactical, ones that can lay close and finish, seem to have the best type of style,” said McCarthy. “Formidable Man has spent significant time down there, which has been a priority for us with Mr. and Mrs. Warren being so close. But you know, it's the Breeder's Cup. It's the best horses in the world, the best riders in the world and the biggest stage. I say this all the time, I hope everybody's horse is doing as best as they can possibly be doing and everyone gets the trip they are looking for. We'll see what happens.”

In what promises to be a salty Breeders' Cup Mile, also making an appearance is one of Tim Yakteen's all-time greatest runners in the Joe and Debby McCloskey homebred, Johannes (Nyquist). Last year, the dark bay–who is racing for the final time in the Mile before being retired to stud at Claiborne Farm for the 2026 season–was second to More Than Looks (More Than Ready) in this very race. According to the trainer, coming back to Del Mar his team always tries to create a seamless transition from Arcadia–same ship, offloading, stall location and routine, which all lead to race day.

Johannes with that long extension working at Santa Anita | Horsephotos

“We'll do the same thing we did last year,” said Yakteen. “We'll have our final prep up here [Santa Anita], and then we'll ship in and spend the week down at Del Mar.”

Yakteen said that he agrees that a tactical horse like his can have an advantage at a place like Del Mar.

“Johannes has versatility,” said Yakteen. “That means that when you have a paceless race you can sit on or near the speed, but you can also lay back when it's there. When I was with [Charlie] Whittingham, we had a mare named Flawlessly who never lost at Del Mar. She was just like a Tesla. When you called on her, she was instantaneously there. Johannes is the same way.”

 

Get your Motorious runnin'…

If there are advantages to playing a home game at Del Mar, then not having to ship across the country or for that matter, the world, would certainly qualify. One of the top turf trainers around is Phil D'Amato and he says that eliminating as many variables as possible is key.

“I think knowing the turf at Del Mar is important because to me this time of year it plays more like a European-style grass course than what we have at Santa Anita,” said D'Amato. “But having said that, shipping a horse across the country is what is really challenging. When you don't have to do it, that's a big advantage. We are going to be at Del Mar anyway this time of year, so it all works out as we attempt to run our best.”

Motorious cools his engine down | Benoit

D'Amato should have one of the top contenders in the GI Prevagen Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint in MGSW Motorious (GB) (Muhaarar {GB}), who earned a return ticket to the World Championships after he won for the third time in a row the GIII Green Flash Handicap at Del Mar Aug. 30. In the 2024 Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint, the gelding was the runner-up, while Richard Baltas trainee Ag Bullet (Twirling Candy), who should also be back again this year, checked in third.

“We've been pointing Motorious to this spot ever since the Green Flash,” his trainer said. “He is definitely in his zone right now of consistency, so now it is just about keeping him there. Anytime a horse goes 58 and change like he did recently, that tips me off that you know they are doing well.”

D'Amato will also send out stalwart turfer GISW & MGSW Gold Phoenix (Ire) (Belarado {Ire}), who has a particular affinity for the Jimmy Durante course. Now a 7-year-old, the gelding is poised to enter his fourth GI Longines Breeders' Cup Turf, which is a race he finished fourth in last year.

“Del Mar is definitely more of a favorite for Gold Phoenix than Santa Anita,” D'Amato said. “So, I think that European-type turf course helps his chances. He's a late turn of foot kind of runner. Watching him compete against the best in the world will tell us where we stand.”

 

Rispoli Weighs In

If you are a Southern California barn who is going to wage a Breeders' Cup turf war then you need someone capable in the saddle. Umberto Rispoli is generally regarded as a top jockey in the region with extensive experience on the turf. You will not find him exuding overconfidence because he is prosaic when it comes to the level of competition that is coming.

Umberto Rispoli with the eyes of Johannes | Benoit

“These are global riders who are used to international travel,” Rispoli said. “When you are good, you're good. You can ride everywhere. That what it means to be top class.”

Rispoli did say that knowing the course at Del Mar and its tricks is important. Jockeys will of course walk on the turf and get a feel for what is under them. They will know how much 'give' they are facing and whether their mount needs to be placed within a race.

“The turf plays very different in the summer,” he said. “Del Mar is a really special track for me and I always enjoy seeing how much it changes by the fall. It's a totally different grip for the horses. During the summer the grass is shorter and really quick and speed favoring, plus the rail is out. So, it is really tough to come from behind and the speed horses win.”

Rispoli mentioned the marine layer come November and how much moisture can affect the Jimmy Durante by the time the Breeders' Cup rolls around. The rider will have several chances on the grass since he has decided to ride Johannes in the Mile over Formidable Man.

“I am hoping to upgrade one position in the Breeders' Cup with Johannes,” the jockey said.

He will also get a leg up on D'Amato runners Gold Phoenix, Mission of Joy (Kitten's Joy) in the GI Maker's Mark Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf and also have a chance in the GI Juvenile Turf Sprint aboard Later Than Planned (Ire) (Cotai Glory {GB}) who is an also-eligible.

“Some of those older horses like Gold Phoenix are fighters and they really like to go to Del Mar for probably the breeze, the different air and it's just fresh,” he said. “You go out there and need a jacket early in the morning because of that breeze. It's pretty cool and fresh. They feel regenerated and I think it's medicinal for them.”

A young colt, Later Than Planned found his way to sprinting when D'Amato and Rispoli figured out that cutting back was just the ticket. In the GIII Del Mar Juvenile Turf Stakes Sept. 7, the colt finished a disappointing seventh.

“We started working him as a pure miler, he was doing really well and broke his maiden at Del Mar,” said Rispoli. “But in the juvenile race there he never relaxed and never dropped the bridle. By the end, he was just an empty horse because he was wasting too much energy. Looking at the Speakeasy [Stakes] at Santa Anita made sense and he settled nicely behind the speed.”

Later Than Planned timed his run well in the Speakeasy | Benoit

The result was Later Than Planned got his picture taken, which set him up for the Breeders' Cup.

“I think the key [in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf] is to find yourself a good position just behind one of the favorites before you hit the turn,” Rispoli said. “Then he can get me to the quarter pole. Once I turn for home, I would have my right or left clear and let him go.”

Like his Southern California compatriots, Umberto Rispoli is a human cloud server when it comes to marine layers, tight turns, short stretches and the Jimmy Durante grass. With heaps of local knowledge about the Del Mar turf, barns and their riders will have the opportunity to apply what they have learned on the biggest stage in North America once more. This is the Breeders' Cup and that means that they are still going to have their hands full as seven chances await.

Are they sitting on the precipice of turf racing glory?

It is their turf, of course.

The post Their Turf, Of Course: SoCal Grass Barns Chase Breeders’ Cup Glory appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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