Nevada Beach delivered in the Native Diver, but only just...

The son of Omaha Beach returned to Del Mar and lived up to his status as a heavy favorite, though he had to work harder than expected to get past British Isles in a performance that left mixed feelings

Nevada Beach managed to open up in the final 100 yards / BENOIT PHOTO

DEL MAR, California (Special for Turf Diario) – That explosive victory in the Goodwood Stakes (G1), which had launched him toward the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) after defeating Full Serrano (Full Mast), now feels far away. Back in Southern California and without top-level opposition in front of him, Nevada Beach looked to have everything in his favor to shine. But racing, even when it seems simple, rarely provides perfect scripts.

Facing just three rivals and sent off at 1-10, the Bob Baffert trainee did what he had to do: he captured the Native Diver Stakes (G3) and added the fourth win of his campaign. However, he did so by only half a length, and with considerably more effort than expected.

The race shape didn’t help him either. He broke a bit flat, sat third in a compact field, and Juan Hernández had to start nudging him approaching the far turn, as if the favorite needed a wake-up call. In front, Westwood (Authentic) and British Isles (Justify) traveled on—the latter the least respected in the betting and, paradoxically, the one who gave him the most work.

Turning for home, Westwood folded, but British Isles—with no prior strong record on dirt—offered serious resistance until the final 100 yards, where Nevada Beach finally managed to assert himself. The final time of 1:48.35 for the 1800 meters over a fast track was solid, though without fireworks.

“He’s a big horse, like a train. Today he was a little lazy and I had to move him earlier,” Hernández summarized, perfectly capturing a performance that left the impression that the bay, when dropping a notch, delivers—but doesn’t dominate.

Full credit also goes to the improving British Isles, a son of Justify formerly with Baffert who now, under Richard Baltas, seems to be finding his way.

For Nevada Beach, owned by the historic partnership of Pegram, Watson and Weitman, the victory keeps his campaign on track at four wins from six starts and earnings of $426,500. A son of Omaha Beach, the current leader among third-crop sires, he also brings a commercial footnote: his sire has his 2026 fee set at $75,000 at Spendthrift Farm.

He did his job, he won, and he kept adding to his record—but this time, without the authority of a true dominator.