Full Serrano Likely to Skip Del Mar Mile, Points Toward Monday Allowance at Del Mar

According to Turf Diario Sources, the Star Will Skip Saturday’s Engagement to Return Over a Mile on Dirt

Full Serrano Targets a Much Less Demanding Race for His Return / BREEDERS' CUP

DEL MAR, California (Special for Turf Diario).- It appears there’s a shift in strategy for Full Serrano, as sources told Turf Diario that the Argentine star will likely skip Saturday’s Del Mar Mile (G2), opting instead to run Monday in an optional claiming allowance over a mile at Del Mar.

Inactive since his dominant victory in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1), the Full Mast colt had been expected to return on the turf during the Pacific Classic (G1) card, facing the two top milers in California. However, a conditional spot with just five rivals on the dirt—the surface that brought him global fame—presents a simpler and more appealing option, particularly with the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) as the primary target and a potential defense of his Dirt Mile title also under consideration.

Bred by Haras Gran Muñeca and owned by Hronis Racing, Full Serrano is the heavy favorite for Monday’s second race: a $100,000 optional claiming allowance, with $82,000 in purse money. Drawn widest in post 6, all participants will carry 121 pounds.

Trainer John Sadler expressed the team’s excitement to see the horse back in action, confirming he is fit and ready for the challenging return. Once again, Juan J. Hernández, Del Mar’s leading rider, is slated to ride.

Full Serrano will face an experienced field, headlined by Two Rivers Over (Tamarkuz), the 2024 Godolphin Mile (G1)winner at Meydan, who has not raced since finishing seventh in the California Crown Stakes (G1) last September.

Other notable entries include Packs a Wahlop (Creative Cause), winner of the Del Mar Juvenile Turf Stakes (G3) and Zuma Beach Stakes (G3) as a juvenile, and runner-up in the Charles Whittingham Stakes (G2)—all on turf; Il Bellator (Shackleford), California Derby (L) winner in 2022; American Admiral (American Pharoah), third in last year’s Laffit Pincay Jr. Stakes (G2); and Ghazaaly (Curlin), coming off a claiming defeat.

For Full Serrano, this race provides the perfect opportunity to shake off inactivity and prepare for a much more demanding future. Class, however, is something he has in abundance.