The San Diego Handicap and the Four Argentine Triumphs at Del Mar

Figonero, Matún, Fanatic Boy, and Catch a Flight are the four Argentine-bred stars to have previously conquered one of the signature events of the summer meet at the seaside oval in Southern California. This Saturday, champion Full Serrano will seek to add his name to that illustrious list, facing a formidable challenge as he squares off against Journalism in this year's renewal

Catch a Flight winning the San Diego Handicap in 2015 / BENOIT PHOTO

DEL MAR, California (Special to Turf Diario).— For Full Serrano, Del Mar is far from just another racetrack. It was on this very seaside oval that he achieved his career-defining moment by conquering the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1), and where he also finished a brilliant second in the Pacific Classic (G1)—two performances that firmly established him among the elite Argentine horses to compete in the United States in recent times.

This Saturday, the son of Full Mast bred by Haras Gran Muñeca returns to his favorite playground for the San Diego Handicap (G2), a US$ 200,000 event contested over 1700 meters on the dirt. The race serves as the traditional local stepping stone to the Pacific Classic, but the task at hand is monumental: among his rivals looms none other than Journalism (Curlin), a towering figure in American racing and a multiple Grade 1 winner.

Yet, Full Serrano will not walk alone into the historical arena. Behind him stands the legacy of four Argentine-bred stars who previously captured the San Diego, forging a rich connection between Argentine breeding and this prestigious California fixture: Figonero (Idle Hour), Matún (Beigler Bey), Fanatic Boy (Mat-Boy), and Catch a Flight (Giant's Causeway).

Inaugurated in 1937, the San Diego was part of Del Mar’s very first racing program on July 3 of that year. Now open to three-year-olds and upward over 1 1/16 miles, it is widely regarded as the premier local prep for the Pacific Classic, the ultimate objective of the Southern California summer. Its honor roll features legends of the sport such as Native Diver (Imbros), California Chrome (Lucky Pulpit), Accelerate (Lookin At Lucky), and Maximum Security (New Year's Day). Native Diver still holds the stakes record with three consecutive victories between 1963 and 1965.

The Argentine flag was first raised in the winner's circle in 1972 thanks to Figonero. At seven years of age, guided by Fernando Alvarez, trained by Warren Stute, and carrying the colors of Clement L. Hirsch, he crossed the wire in 1m40s4/5.

Bred by Haras Argentino, the son of Idle Hour was already a household name in California. After winning the 1968Gran Premio San Isidro, he was purchased by Clement L. Hirsch and immediately rewarded his new owner by winning the Hollywood Gold Cup. Shortly after, he established a world record for 1800 meters by taking the 1969 Del Mar Handicap in 1m46s1/5. His American campaign spanned four seasons and cemented him as one of the earliest and greatest equine ambassadors for Argentine breeding in the region.

Just two years later, in 1974, Matún added his name to the trophy. The five-year-old son of Beigler Bey was piloted to victory by the legendary Bill Shoemaker and trained by Hall of Famer Charlie Whittingham, one of the most influential trainers in American history. Matún stopped the clock in 1m41s, giving Charlie Whittingham one of his five San Diego victories—a mark that remains a training record to this day.

Matún’s triumph also paved the way for a remarkable branch of Argentine pedigree. He sired Mat-Boy, who would become Horse of the Year in Argentina before traveling to the United States to win the Widener Handicap (G1) at Hialeah and the Gulfstream Park Handicap (G1) in track-record time.

Mat-Boy eventually returned to Argentina to stand at Haras La Biznaga, where he sired Fanatic Boy, the colt destined to continue the family tradition in the very race his grandsire had won.

Trained by Ron McAnally and ridden by Chris McCarron, Fanatic Boy entered the 1993 renewal as the longest shot in a five-horse field. Contested over 1800 meters—the official distance of the race between 1991 and 1993—the race saw Chilean champion Memo (Mocito Guapo) and Missionary Ridge (Caerleon) duel through blistering early fractions, leaving Fanatic Boy trailing by as many as 12 lengths.

Chris McCarron remained patient, biding his time before launching a sustained bid midway through the far turn. Once they straightened for home, Fanatic Boy unleashed a devastating closing kick to secure a 2 1/2-length victory over the favored Memo. The Argentine returned US$ 16.80 to win, stopping the clock in 1m48s2/5 and defeating top-tier rivals such as Santa Anita Handicap (G1) winner Sir Beaufort (Pleasant Colony) and the previous year's Pacific Classichero, Missionary Ridge.

Twenty-two years would pass before another Argentine-bred horse found the winner's circle. The drought was broken in 2015 by Catch a Flight, who returned the blue-and-white colors to the pinnacle of California racing.

A son of Giant’s Causeway and Callaia (Lode), Catch a Flight began his career in Brazil before being transferred to the United States. Racing in the colors of Haras Santa Maria de Araras under the care of Richard Mandella, he quickly established himself as a force in the California handicap division.

Under Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens, Catch a Flight stalked the pace in fourth, launched his bid turning for home, and wore down Appealing Tale (Tale of the Cat) in the final strides to secure a thrilling head victory in 1m43s08/100. It was a masterfully timed ride, marking his third victory in seven American starts, all compiled against elite competition.

Figonero paved the way; Matún established the tradition; Fanatic Boy carried the torch through his lineage; and Catch a Flight brought the glory back into the modern era. This Saturday, Full Serrano takes center stage, seeking to write the fifth chapter of this historic legacy.

The task ahead is formidable, particularly with the presence of Journalism, but the Argentine champion knows every inch of the Del Mar strip and has already proven he can match strides with the very best. The San Diego Handicapmarks his return to action and the launching pad toward another tilt at the Pacific Classic. Full Serrano faces a giant of the division, but when the gates open, he will run with nearly six decades of Argentine history pushing him home.