The $300,000 Del Mar Oaks (G1) is a longstanding highlight of the Del Mar summer meet and a key prep on the path toward the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1), though not a “Win and You’re In’’ event. The 1 1/8-mile turf test is restricted to 3-year-old fillies.
Inaugurated in 1957, the Oaks was initially run at a mile on dirt but switched permanently to turf in 1965. It’s been contested at the current distance since 1965 and has been a Grade 1 since 1994.
Notable winners include champions and high-class performers such as Flawlessly (1991), Hollywood Wildcat (1993), Magical Fantasy (2008), Evening Jewel (2010), Lady of Shamrock (2012), Discreet Marq (2013), Cambier Parc (2019), Red Lark (2020), Going Global (2021), Spendarella (2022), Anisette (GB) (2023), Iscreamuscream (2024), and Velocity (2025).
The stakes/course record at the current distance is 1:46.26 set by Amorama in 2004. The late Hall of Famer Charlie Whittingham holds the trainer record with seven wins (1970–1991), and three now-retired and Hall of Fame jockeys – Corey Nakatani, Bill Shoemaker and Chris McCarron – each rode four winners.
Saturday’s edition drew a field of 10 that mixes local California form, East Coast shippers, and European imports. Turf runners from across the pond fare well at Del Mar – four of the past eight winners were bred in Europe.
The morning-line favorite? Ireland-bred Kensington Lane (3-1) for trainer Phil D’Amato. The next two choices are England-bred Green Carrera (7-2) for Irish trainer Joseph O’Brien and Raiding Party (4-1) for trainer Brendan Walsh.
Victorious Dream (12-1, post 1) finished third in the Providencia Stakes as a maiden three-back and has graduated and added an allowance win to her ledger. The Ireland-bred daughter of Ghayyith has shown the ability to race forwardly or just off the pace and should appreciate the firm Del Mar turf as well as the 9 furlongs. The rail draw for the Michael McCarthy trainee gives her a chance to save ground and dictate or press early under jockey Juan Hernandez.
The lightly raced Lookin At Diamond (15-1, post 2) was third in the Honeymoon Stakes at Santa Anita last out 2 ½ months ago and steps up in class for the Oaks. A stalker or mid-pack runner, she also has shown a strong finishing kick. The Leonard Powell-trained daughter of Lookin At Lucky, who will be ridden by Julien Leparoux, should be well-positioned to close into a solid pace.
Phil Bauer ships Tam Tam (4-1, post 3) in strong form and a win in the Tepin Stakes last out at Churchill Downs. The $925,000 Medaglia d’Oro filly, who is a granddaughter of Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) winner Folklore, is a consistent type and claims a victory in the Sanibel Island Stakes and placings in two other graded events. She is a versatile filly who can stalk or press; she brings proven route form and should be a major contender under jockey Junior Alvarado.
Green Carrera (7-2, post 4) won a Fillies’ Handicap at Killarney in her most recent start and was also a handicap winner during the Royal Ascot meet. The Lope De Vega filly is lightly raced, makes her North American debut, and seems to be one who will appreciate a firmer turf course. She has shown tactical speed in most of her starts, so expect her to race prominently or just off the pace under jockey Umberto Rispoli.
Define (15-1, post 5) is another Ireland-bred Lope De Vega filly coming off a maiden win at Ellis Park a month ago at 1 1/16 miles. She is one of the more lightly raced entrants and is still developing. She may prefer to settle mid-pack or further back before making a late run, and though she has experience, she has never been this distance or against this level of company. Walsh taps local rider Kazushi Kimura for the mount.
Inbox (10-1, post 6), trained by Phil D’Amato, finished a strong second in the San Clemente Handicap (G2) last out behind longshot Somerset West. The England-bred daughter of Ectot typically settles mid-to-rear and unleashes a powerful late rally, and the pace here will be strong and better for her to run at late, making the extra furlong of the Oaks should suit her closing style. Héctor Barrios rides.
Peanutbutterbombe (12-1, post 7), also trained by D’Amato, finished fourth in the San Clemente last out after a wide trip. The Collected filly has shown the ability to race mid-pack and improve late, and the added distance here will help her. She is also consistent and has been productive against solid company, which makes her a contender who can pick up pieces under Antonio Fresu if the pace collapses.
Wild Like the West (30-1, post 8) has local form and has some decent placings against good company in stakes events for trainer Richard Baltas. The Into Mischief filly, who typically races with early speed or presses the pace, hasn’t reached the winner’s circle in six starts since breaking her maiden last October. However, she could help set or force the tempo, and if she can sustain her run, she may be good for a piece under Armando Ayuso.
Kensington Lane (3-1, post 9) made a successful American debut by winning the Belmont Oaks (G1) in front-running fashion after earlier European form that included a Group 3 win. Donnacha O'Brien trained her, and she has since been transferred to D’Amato in California. The Starspangledbanner filly has shown gate speed and the ability to control or press the pace and has the pedigree for the distance, though she’ll probably like even more ground. She looks like a primary pace factor under Joel Rosario.
Raiding Party (4-1, post 10), an Ireland-bred daughter of Sioux Nation, ships in for Walsh and, after finishing third in the San Clemente, shipped back to Turfway Park for training and returns here looking to improve on her last. She raced mid-pack to the close and showed a strong late rally that day despite the wide trip. Her outside post requires a solid start, but she seems to have the tactical versatility to adapt. Jockey Ben Curtis will be aboard.
Post time for the Del Mar Oaks, race 9, is 9:10 p.m. ET. It is the race prior to the $1 million Pacific Classic (G1).
The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.
