The $400,000 Clement L. Hirsch Stakes (G1), a “Win and You’re In’’ race to the Breeders’ Cup Distaff, headlines Saturday’s card at Del Mar. Run at 1 1/16 miles on dirt for fillies and mares 3 and up, it awards the winner an automatic, fees-paid berth into the top race for older female dirt stars at Keeneland on Oct. 31.
The race traces its roots to the Chula Vista Handicap, first run in 1937. It evolved through various distances and surfaces before settling into its modern form as a dirt race for older fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles.
Renamed in 2000 to honor Clement L. Hirsch -- a prominent California thoroughbred owner and founder of the Oak Tree Racing Association whose Magical Maiden won the race in 1993 -- it has been a Grade 1 since 2009.
The Hirsch has long served as a midsummer West Coast prep for the Breeders’ Cup Distaff. Winners include three-time champion Zenyatta (2008–2010), who used the race as a springboard during her historic unbeaten run that included the 2009 Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1); dual winner and Horse of the Year Azeri (2002–2003); multiple champion Beholder (2015); and champions/Breeders’ Cup winners/millionaires Bayakoa (1990), Princess Rooney (1984); Adare Manor (2023–2024).
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Seismic Beauty | Juan Hernandez | 1:42.33 |
| 2024 | Adare Manor | Juan Hernandez | 1:43.29 |
| 2023 | Adare Manor | Juan Hernandez | 1:43.33 |
| 2022 | Blue Stripe (ARG) | Hector Berrios | 1:42.97 |
| 2021 | Shedaresthedevil | Florent Geroux | 1:45.38 |
Defending champion Seismic Beauty, who scored a front-running victory for trainer Bob Baffert, returns this year as a top contender.
A competitive field of nine is entered for this year’s renewal, all with Breeders’ Cup hopes.
Brad Cox shipped in Juddmonte homebred Chasten (4-1), who is by leading sire Into Mischief, from the East Coast and a dominant 6 ¼-length victory in the Obeah Stakes at Delaware Park in mid-June.
The 4-year-old typically races from a stalking position and has shown progressive form this year with multiple stakes wins. She brings momentum into her first Del Mar start, in search of a first graded stakes win. Florent Geroux, who for many years was Cox’s go-to rider and took up residency for the summer in Del Mar, will be aboard.
The Bob Baffert-trained Seismic Beauty (5-2) is the defending champion. The 5-year-old Uncle Mo mare who won this race in wire-to-wire fashion in 2025 is likely headed to the front again. She finished a disappointing third in the Santa Margarita Stakes (G3) last out as the heavy favorite but was coming off a layoff and figures to be more fit with a steady string of works. She likes Del Mar, an uncharacteristic last in the Breeders’ Cup last year aside, and is accomplished at the distance.
Majestic Oops (9-2) is a 6-year-old mare by Majestic Harbor who scored an upset in the Azeri Stakes (G2) at Oaklawn in March before finishing third in the Shawnee Stakes (G2) at Churchill Downs two months ago. A versatile runner who has shown the ability to handle both sprint and route distances and various track conditions, she typically races up on the pace or in a stalking spot. She is trained by Phil D’Amato and will carry Joel Rosario.
Simply Joking (5-1) is a speedy daughter of Practical Joke who wired the Santa Maria Stakes (G3) by 6 ¾ lengths in April and then finished a strong second in the Santa Margarita after setting a solid pace. Her speed is her weapon, and she likes to take the early lead and control the tempo. Michael McCarthy trains her and Emisael Jaramillo rides.
Om N Joy (6-1), the California-bred filly who pulled a major upset in the Santa Margarita on May 30, is back to prove that performance was no fluke. The 4-year-old by Om is trained by Aggie Ordonez and will be ridden by Kent Desormeaux. She’s a closer who thrives when she can settle at the back and launch a strong late kick. She has had a two-month break and has a steady stream of works indicating fitness shouldn’t be an issue.
Eunomia (5-1) is another shipper from the East for owners St. Elias Stable and WSS Partners. The Tiz the Law filly finished a close second in the Doubledogdare Stakes (G2) at Keeneland in the fall before a sixth-place effort in the Ruffian Stakes (G2) last out. She typically races close to the pace or in a stalking role and has shown competitiveness against graded company. A return to her earlier form would make her a factor for trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr. and jockey Micah Husbands.
Hey Jessie (20-1) is a California-bred by Grazen and has primarily excelled on turf, including a win in the listed Santa Barbara Stakes at Santa Anita two races back. She most recently finished fifth in the Possibly Perfect Stakes after a poor start and some trouble and returns here seeking a first graded stakes win. The Sean McCarthy trainee is a versatile runner who can stalk the pace or sit on the lead, her drawback being this tougher test against this level of competition.
Bank Shot (20-1) is the lone 3-year-old in the field, and the Ryan Hanson-trained daughter of Game Winner comes in off a third-place finish in the Summertime Oaks (G3) in June. She has been competitive against top West Coast sophomore fillies this spring in graded stakes company and is consistent, though she still seeks a breakthrough graded win. Expect her to race in mid-pack or slightly forward under jockey Adrian Escobedo, and watch the tote board; she should offer some value in the exotics pools.
A Thousand Miles (30-1) is a 4-year-old by Thousand Words who finished sixth in the Great Lady M. Stakes (G2) at Los Alamitos in her last start. She hasn’t won a race in five starts this year and is winless overall since taking a stakes at Zia Park last November. The Vann Belvoir trainee appears to be one of the longer shots on form and will need significant improvement to have a say against this deeper group.
| # | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | M/L |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chasten | F Geroux | B H Cox | 4/1 |
| 2 | Hey Jessie | A Fresu | S McCarthy | 20/1 |
| 3 | Om N Joy | K J Desormeaux | A Ordonez | 6/1 |
| 4 | Bank Shot | A Escobedo | R Hanson | 20/1 |
| 5 | Majestic Oops | J Rosario | P D'Amato | 9/2 |
| 6 | Simply Joking | E Jaramillo | M W McCarthy | 5/1 |
| 7 | A Thousand Miles | E Payeras | V Belvoir | 30/1 |
| 8 | Seismic Beauty | J J Hernandez | B Baffert | 5/2 |
| 9 | Eunomia | M J Husbands | S A Joseph, Jr. | 5/1 |
Last Updated on 07/31/2026
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