Del Mar Oaks: Europe once again tests the best of the local contingent

Kensington Lane, recent winner of the Belmont Oaks (G1), leads an even field of ten 3-year-old fillies for Saturday's G1 over 1,800 meters at Del Mar; Green Carrera, victor at Royal Ascot, alongside several European imports now acclimated to North American racing, add compelling depth to a race that proves difficult to decipher

DEL MAR, California (Special for Turf Diario).— Just before all eyes focus on the Pacific Classic (G1), Hipódromo Del MarHacer clic para abrir el panel lateral y obtener más información will offer another highlight of its summer meeting this Saturday with the Del Mar Oaks (G1T-1,800m, $300,000), bringing together ten top-class 3-year-old fillies featuring a heavy European presence.

No fewer than four contenders were bred in Ireland and two others in Great Britain, reflecting an increasingly dominant trend across North American turf stakes. Standing atop the field is Kensington Lane, who invaded Saratoga to pull off an upset in the Belmont Oaks (G1T), winning at 23-1 odds.

The daughter of Starspangledbanner had previously captured a G3 in Ireland for Donnacha O’Brien and his mother, Annemarie O’Brien, before being acquired by a syndicate comprising Agave Racing Stable, Medallion Racing, and Evan Trommer. Following the purchase, she was placed in the care of trainer Phil D’Amato.

"When she was bought, the plan was always to target the Del Mar Oaks. But she was doing so well that her trainer felt, timing-wise, it made sense to take a shot at the Belmont Oaks first," Phil D’Amato explained.

The tactical move returned a $330,000 reward and merely delayed her arrival on the West Coast. Since settling in California, she has posted four workouts under the supervision of her new trainer.

"She is an absolute professional. She knows her job. You point her in the right direction and she virtually trains herself," Phil D’Amato added. Joel Rosario, who guided her to victory at Saratoga, retains the mount.

Another runner tied to the O'Brien lineage is Green Carrera, conditioned in Ireland by Joseph O’Brien, who arrives off a victory in the Sandringham Handicap at Royal Ascot, where she bested a massive field of 29 rivals.

Her transition to California seems to have gone seamlessly. "I've never seen her eat so well. She handled the travel and training like she's been here her whole life," noted Mikey Hamill, who traveled with her from Ireland.

Green Carrera has been stabled in the barn of Leonard Powell and will transfer into his care following the race. Leonard Powell holds proven credentials in the Del Mar Oaks, having won the event with Anisette (Awtaad) in 2023 and Fatale Bere (Pedro the Great) in 2018. Additionally, he will send out Lookin At Diamond (Lookin At Lucky), third last time out in the Honeymoon Stakes (L).

Phil D’Amato will also launch a multi-pronged assault with two other contenders: Inbox (Ectot) and Peanutbutterbombe (Collected), both emerging from the San Clemente Handicap (G2T) contested on July 18 over this course. Inbox was narrowly denied by a half-length, while Peanutbutterbombe finished fourth with a strong closing kick after a difficult start and traffic trouble on the far turn.

The San Clemente formline is further bolstered by Raiding Party (Sioux Nation), who finished third that afternoon and subsequently returned to Turfway Park before crossing the country again for this 1,800-meter test. Trainer Brendan Walsh will also run Irish-bred Define (Lope de Vega), victorious at Ellis Park in her sole North American start.

Tam Tam (Medaglia D'Oro) represents another formidable threat. Trained by Phil Bauer, she enters backed by a victory in the Tepin Stakes (L) at Churchill Downs and an impressive record of consistency, having finished out of the top three only once in eight career outings.

Attention must also be paid to Victorious Dream (Ghayyath). Michael McCarthy, who pulled off a 35-1 upset in this race twelve months ago with Velocity (Nyquist), aims to repeat the feat with the fast-improving Irish-bred filly.

After finishing third by just a head in the Providencia Stakes (L) while still a maiden, she broke her maiden status and followed up with a decisive allowance victory on the Del Mar turf, posting a speed figure that stacked up favorably against the winner of the San Clemente held a day later.

"We have a shot," Michael McCarthy summarized. "The plan was to give her a little time after winning her maiden, run the allowance, and then target the Oaks. So far, everything has gone according to plan."

Featuring fresh European invaders, established North American turf horses, and rapidly improving local fillies, the Del Mar Oaks shapes up as one of the most compelling puzzles on the Pacific Classic (G1) program.