Full Serrano Returns to His Pet Strip to Clash with Journalism

The Argentine champion is set to make his return this Saturday in the San Diego Handicap (G2), the crucial prep for the Pacific Classic (G1), over the very same dirt track where he reached racing glory in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1); Chilean contender The Goat completes a formidable South American presence in the lineup

Certain tracks define a horse's career, and Del Mar holds a truly unique place in the history of Full Serrano. It was there, alongside the Pacific, that the Argentine wrote the most illustrious chapters of his North American campaign. This Saturday, he will return to the scene of his greatest triumphs to face a formidable challenge in the San Diego Handicap (G2-1700m, dirt, $300,000), the traditional stepping stone toward the Pacific Classic (G1).

Only seven runners will line up for the feature race on the opening Saturday card of the summer meet, but quality far outweighs quantity. Full Serrano will square off against none other than Journalism (Curlin), one of the top racing stars in the United States, while the addition of Chilean Grade 1 winner The Goat (Midshipman) further heightens the intrigue for South American turf fans.

The son of Full Mast will break from post 6, carrying 122 pounds, and will once again be reunited with Joel Rosario. The rider was aboard for that unforgettable afternoon in November 2024 when the colt pulled off a spectacular upset in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1), defeating Post Time (Frosted) by 1 1/2 lengths to cement his status as one of Argentina’s finest international racing ambassadors in recent memory. Journalism will shoulder the top weight of 125 pounds from post 5 under Umberto Rispoli, while The Goat will break from the extreme outside under Venezuelan rider Emisael Jaramillo at 120 pounds.

Del Mar also served as the stage where Full Serrano finished a brilliant second to Mixto (Good Magic) in the 2024 Pacific Classic (G1)—an effort that, even prior to his Breeders' Cup crowning, proved he was fully prepared to trade blows with California's elite distance division. Now a 7-year-old, he will look to regain his best form over a distance that might prove a bit sharp for his running style, though he knows this strip by heart and historically thrives on it.

Campaigning for Hronis Racing, the veteran has been away from the races since March 28, when he finished fourth after a troubled start in the Oaklawn Mile Stakes (L). Prior to that, he put forth a stellar effort to finish third in the Pegasus World Cup (G1) behind Skippylongstocking (Exaggerator), proving he still retains plenty of the class that carried him to the top of the sport.

Trainer John Sadler gave him a breather after his trip to Arkansas, patiently preparing him at Santa Anita. In one of his key works, he covered six furlongs in a sharp 1:11.60, a move that highly pleased his connections and showed he is coming into the race in top order. Sadler knows the road to both the Pacific Classic and the San Diego Handicap better than most, having won the latter race five times, including back-to-back editions with Catalina Cruiser (Union Rags) in 2018 and 2019.

The task will be demanding, however, due to the presence of Journalism. The son of Curlin was one of the brightest stars of the 2025 American three-year-old crop, capturing the Santa Anita Derby (G1), the Preakness Stakes (G1), and the Haskell Stakes (G1), while also finishing runner-up to Sovereignty (Into Mischief) in both the Kentucky Derby (G1) and the Belmont Stakes (G1).

Now as a 4-year-old, Journalism is still seeking his first victory of the season. He finished third behind White Abarrio(Race Day) and Sovereignty in the Oaklawn Handicap (G2) before matching that third-place finish in the Metropolitan Handicap (G1), where Nysos (Nyquist) won in dominant fashion. Trained by Michael McCarthy, he returns to California, shortening up to 1700 meters in the San Diego after contesting the 2000-meter Oaklawn Handicap and the 1600-meter Met Mile.

The other South American banner will be carried by The Goat, one of Chile's top turf performers over the last few seasons and a Grade 1 winner. Also under Sadler's care, the son of Midshipman will make his second North American start after finishing fourth in the Triple Bend Stakes (G3) over 1400 meters at Santa Anita. That effort served as an acclimation run, and stretching out in distance should play to his strengths, though he will need to step up his game to challenge such formidable rivals.

The field is completed by Mc Vay (Constitution), Mirahmadi (Into Mischief), Shea Brennan (Tough Sunday), and Iron Man Cal (Collected). The Bob Baffert-trained Mirahmadi has put together a consistent campaign and looms as a dangerous live longshot, while Iron Man Cal, known primarily for his turf exploits, will test the dirt following some highly encouraging morning works. Shea Brennan will serve as the second option for Phil D’Amato, and Mc Vay will look to capitalize on his light assignment of 118 pounds.

The San Diego Handicap features a $300,000 purse and is carded as the eighth race, with a scheduled post time of 5:30 PM local time. In addition to serving as the key prep for the August 22 Pacific Classic, the race is part of the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Dozen Bonus Series: the nominated winner will receive a $15,000 credit toward entry fees for the upcoming Dirt Mile, scheduled for October 31 at Keeneland.

Full Serrano returns to the venue where he became a giant. To succeed, he must conquer a formidable rival in Journalism, a continental compatriot in The Goat, and a layoff of nearly four months. Del Mar has been the setting for his finest afternoons, and this Saturday, its gates will swing open for him once more, with another Pacific Classic run firmly in his sights.