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Miss Monica Romps in Del Mar Debutante

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Miss Monica (Early Voting) became the first stakes winner for her freshman sire with a runaway 6 1/4-length victory in Saturday evening’s GI Del Mar Debutante. She becomes the13th Del Mar Debutante winner for Hall of Famer Bob Baffert.

The 2-5 favorite, a head-turning wire-to-wire winner with an 87 Beyer Speed Figure on debut at Del Mar Aug. 9, showed a different dimension here and pressed from an outside third through an opening quarter in :21.96. She revved up three deep on the far turn, hit the front approaching the quarter pole and ran up the score to win by daylight.

Crazy Hot Mess (Pinehurst) was second; Holmby (Corniche) was third.

“We had a great post and she was able to put herself into a good spot,” Baffert said. “J.J. Hernandez rode her with a lot of confidence. We know going seven-eighths is demanding, but at the three-eighths pole you could tell she was cruising and she went to the lead on her own. She’s that good of a filly. I’m always happy to win this race especially for the Three Amigos’–Pegram, Watson, and Weitman. I’m relieved. I knew she was going to win, but crazy things happen.”

Hernandez added, “She broke OK, but those other two fillies were going fast up front. My filly was doing fine and when I came up to those other two we just went right on by. She changed leads for me and when that happened it was all over.”

Pedigree Notes:

Miss Monica brought $850,000 from the ‘Three Amigos’–Michael Pegram, Karl Watson and Paul Weitman–as an OBS April breezer. Miss Monica’s dam Lipstikliesnlovers (American Pharoah), a maiden of seven career starts, brought just $4,000 from Michael Slezak, agent, at this year’s Fasig-Tipton Kentucky February sale. She was bred to Drain the Clock for 2027.

MISS MONICA gives trainer Bob Baffert yet another win in the $300,000 Del Mar Debutante (G1) at @delmarracing.@JJHernandezS19 in the irons on the daughter of @TMStallions Early Voting. pic.twitter.com/E27SPmybmn

— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) September 6, 2026

Saturday, Del Mar
DEL MAR DEBUTANTE S.-GI, $302,000, Del Mar, 9-5, 2yo, f, 7f, 1:23.54, ft.
1–MISS MONICA, 124, f, 2, by Early Voting
              1st Dam: Lipstikliesnlovers, by American Pharoah
              2nd Dam: Cherokee Queen, by Cherokee Run
              3rd Dam: Virginia Bee, by Virginia Rapids
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN, 1ST
GRADE I WIN. ($32,000 RNA Wlg ’24 KEENOV; $45,000 Ylg
’25 KEESEP; $850,000 2yo ’26 OBSAPR). O-Michael E.
Pegram, Karl Watson, and Paul Weitman; B-Doug Branham
& Felicia Branham & Pippa’s Hurricane LLC (KY); T-Bob
Baffert; J-Juan J. Hernandez. $180,000. ‘TDN Rising Star,
presented by Hagyard’ *1st graded winner for freshman sire
(by Gun Runner). Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $240,000.
Werk Nick Rating: A++.
Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or the
free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Crazy Hot Mess, 124, f, 2, by Pinehurst
              1st Dam: Pure Moon, by Malibu Moon
              2nd Dam: Pure Indy, by Pure Prize
              3rd Dam: Gatherindy, by A.P. Indy
1ST G1 BLACK TYPE. ($15,000 Ylg ’25 KEESEP). O-Michael
McMillan and Raymond C. Bryner; B-Erick Alexander Torres
(KY); T-Peter Miller. $60,000.
3–Holmby, 124, f, 2, by Corniche
              1st Dam: Candida H. (SW, $236,347), by Lemon Drop
              Kid
              2nd Dam: Magical Broad, by Broad Brush
              3rd Dam: Illeria, by Stop the Music
1ST G1 BLACK TYPE. ($28,000 Wlg ’24 KEENOV; $55,000 Ylg
’25 FTKJUL). O-By Talla Racing LLC; B-40 Acre Farm, LLC (IN);
T-Bob Baffert. $36,000.
Margins: 6 1/4, 1HF, 2 1/4. Odds: 0.40, 25.50, 6.60.
Also Ran: Free Closer, Well Versed, Dear Diary, Panda Listen, Avalon Rose, Fast Amy. Scratched: For the Win.
Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel Racing.

The post Miss Monica Romps in Del Mar Debutante appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Del Mar Juvenile Turf Victor Observed is First Graded Winner for Juddmonte’s Mandaloun

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Trainer Jonathan Thomas has had good luck shipping to Del Mar, picking up five graded wins with Truly Quality (Quality Road), Mrs. Astor (Lookin At Lucky), and Will Then (War of Will) just in the last two years. He added another score to the mix Saturday with Observed (c, 2, Mandaloun–Overseen, by First Defence, a first graded winner for freshman sire Mandaloun (by Into Mischief). who debuted Aug. 4 at Horseshoe Indianapolis going 7 1/2 furlongs on the turf. After a handy win there, Observed shipped to Del Mar, registering a bullet :47 4/5 (1/5) four-furlong work over the lawn Aug. 30 in preparation for Saturday’s victory in the GIII Del Mar Juvenile Turf Stakes.

A $240,000 Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Bridlewood Farm, and Robert LaPenta buy at the 2025 Keeneland September sale, Observed broke smoothly as Golden Sentry (Halladay) in the next stall hopped awkwardly out of the gate, then got crowded a bit as the field sorted out, causing Juan Hernandez in the irons to take up slightly and steady. Unfazed, Observed settled along the rail three from the rear as Itinerary (Quality Road) showed the way up front through a :22.48 first quarter. Shuffled to a joint last, Observed bided his time before splitting horses entering the turn as Itinerary got tackled up front by Off in the Corner (Karakontie {Jpn}). ‘TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard’ Shadow Nation (Ire) (Sioux Nation) loomed menacingly at the top of the lane–in his first start since late May at Santa Anita following a minor stall incident–to unleash a powerful stretch run while shadowed to his outside by Observed as Off in the Corner held a four-length advantage. Observed and Shadow Nation hooked up, making it a two-horse race down the lane, leaving Off in the Corner in their wake as Observed outfooted Shadow Nation to the wire by three-quarters of a length.

“We’re really pleased with the result,” said Thomas.” As we thought there was going to be a lot of pace, we found ourselves a little farther back than ideal but I thought Juan [Hernandez] did a great job of sitting chilly and cool and waiting for a good seam. The horse had a lot of momentum and got the job done. He really polished the race off nicely. I’m really proud of him.”

Pedigree Notes:

It wasn’t a bad day at the office Saturday for Juddmonte’s Mandaloun, who got his eighth 2-year-old winner in his first crop with Rum Twist at Saratoga, then added his first graded winner with Observed. The Classic-winning son of Into Mischief also has a Thistledown black-type winner in unbeaten three-for-three Book Value.

Observed’s dam Overseen is a granddaughter of Juddmonte’s tremendous broodmare Slightly Dangerous (Roberto), who produced six Grade/Group I performers. Already the dam of GIII Lecomte Stakes winner Call Me Midnight (Midnight Lute), Overseen was covered by Goal Oriented for next term. From Juddmonte families on top and bottom, Observed was bred by Hartwell Farm, who purchased Overseen as an unraced 2-year-old at the 2013 Keeneland November sale for $16,000.

Observed and Juan Hernandez find another gear and dig in to win the Del Mar Juvenile Turf GIII. pic.twitter.com/DfquAt81C7

— Del Mar Racetrack (@DelMarRacing) September 5, 2026

Saturday, Del Mar
DEL MAR JUVENILE TURF S.-GIII, $101,500, Del Mar, 9-5, 2yo, 1mT, 1:36.40, fm.
1–OBSERVED, 120, c, 2, by Mandaloun
              1st Dam: Overseen, by First Defence
              2nd Dam: Jibe, by Danzig
              3rd Dam: Slightly Dangerous, by Roberto
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. ($240,000
Ylg ’25 KEESEP). O-Bridlewood Farm, Eclipse Thoroughbred
Partners and Robert V. LaPenta; B-Hartwell Farm Inc. (KY);
T-Jonathan Thomas; J-Juan J. Hernandez. $60,000. ‘TDN
Rising Star, presented by Hagyard’ Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0,
$79,200. 1st graded winner for freshman sire (by Into
Mischief). *1/2 to Call Me Midnight (Midnight Lute), GSW,
$286,188. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the
eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or the free
Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Shadow Nation (Ire), 122, c, 2, Sioux Nation–
Tooralooraloo (Ire), by Dylan Thomas (Ire). 1ST BLACK TYPE,
1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. (€42,000 Ylg ’25 TATIRY).
O-Slugo Racing, Tiger Racing, Inc. and Craig Warren;
B-Cottage Bloodstock (IRE); T-Mike Puype. $20,000.
3–Off in the Corner, 122, c, 2, Karakontie (Jpn)–Sally Dangles,
by More Than Ready. 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK
TYPE. ($30,000 Ylg ’25 KEESEP; $110,000 2yo ’26 OBSAPR).
O-Altamira Racing Stable, Gary Barber, and Tom Kagele;
B-Newstead Stables LLC (KY); T-Peter Miller. $12,000.
Margins: 3/4, 1, 3/4. Odds: 6.70, 1.40, 5.60.
Also Ran: Hoaxer, Golden Sentry, Itinerary, Missed Fortune, Cosmic Charlie. Scratched: Automatic Press, Dang Son.
Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel Racing.

The post Del Mar Juvenile Turf Victor Observed is First Graded Winner for Juddmonte’s Mandaloun appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Miss Monica Romps in Del Mar Debutante

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Miss Monica (Early Voting) became the first stakes winner for her freshman sire with a runaway 6 1/4-length victory in Saturday evening’s GI Del Mar Debutante. She becomes the13th Del Mar Debutante winner for Hall of Famer Bob Baffert.

The 2-5 favorite, a head-turning wire-to-wire winner with an 87 Beyer Speed Figure on debut at Del Mar Aug. 9, showed a different dimension here and pressed from an outside third through an opening quarter in :21.96. She revved up three deep on the far turn, hit the front approaching the quarter pole and ran up the score to win by daylight.

Crazy Hot Mess (Pinehurst) was second; Holmby (Corniche) was third.

“We had a great post and she was able to put herself into a good spot,” Baffert said. “J.J. Hernandez rode her with a lot of confidence. We know going seven-eighths is demanding, but at the three-eighths pole you could tell she was cruising and she went to the lead on her own. She’s that good of a filly. I’m always happy to win this race especially for the Three Amigos’–Pegram, Watson, and Weitman. I’m relieved. I knew she was going to win, but crazy things happen.”

Hernandez added, “She broke OK, but those other two fillies were going fast up front. My filly was doing fine and when I came up to those other two we just went right on by. She changed leads for me and when that happened it was all over.”

Pedigree Notes:

Miss Monica brought $850,000 from the ‘Three Amigos’–Michael Pegram, Karl Watson and Paul Weitman–as an OBS April breezer. Miss Monica’s dam Lipstikliesnlovers (American Pharoah), a maiden of seven career starts, brought just $4,000 from Michael Slezak, agent, at this year’s Fasig-Tipton Kentucky February sale. She was bred to Drain the Clock for 2027.

MISS MONICA gives trainer Bob Baffert yet another win in the $300,000 Del Mar Debutante (G1) at @delmarracing.@JJHernandezS19 in the irons on the daughter of @TMStallions Early Voting. pic.twitter.com/E27SPmybmn

— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) September 6, 2026

Saturday, Del Mar
DEL MAR DEBUTANTE S.-GI, $302,000, Del Mar, 9-5, 2yo, f, 7f, 1:23.54, ft.
1–MISS MONICA, 124, f, 2, by Early Voting
              1st Dam: Lipstikliesnlovers, by American Pharoah
              2nd Dam: Cherokee Queen, by Cherokee Run
              3rd Dam: Virginia Bee, by Virginia Rapids
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN, 1ST
GRADE I WIN. ($32,000 RNA Wlg ’24 KEENOV; $45,000 Ylg
’25 KEESEP; $850,000 2yo ’26 OBSAPR). O-Michael E.
Pegram, Karl Watson, and Paul Weitman; B-Doug Branham
& Felicia Branham & Pippa’s Hurricane LLC (KY); T-Bob
Baffert; J-Juan J. Hernandez. $180,000. ‘TDN Rising Star,
presented by Hagyard’ *1st graded winner for freshman sire
(by Gun Runner). Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $240,000.
Werk Nick Rating: A++.
Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or the
free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Crazy Hot Mess, 124, f, 2, by Pinehurst
              1st Dam: Pure Moon, by Malibu Moon
              2nd Dam: Pure Indy, by Pure Prize
              3rd Dam: Gatherindy, by A.P. Indy
1ST G1 BLACK TYPE. ($15,000 Ylg ’25 KEESEP). O-Michael
McMillan and Raymond C. Bryner; B-Erick Alexander Torres
(KY); T-Peter Miller. $60,000.
3–Holmby, 124, f, 2, by Corniche
              1st Dam: Candida H. (SW, $236,347), by Lemon Drop
              Kid
              2nd Dam: Magical Broad, by Broad Brush
              3rd Dam: Illeria, by Stop the Music
1ST G1 BLACK TYPE. ($28,000 Wlg ’24 KEENOV; $55,000 Ylg
’25 FTKJUL). O-By Talla Racing LLC; B-40 Acre Farm, LLC (IN);
T-Bob Baffert. $36,000.
Margins: 6 1/4, 1HF, 2 1/4. Odds: 0.40, 25.50, 6.60.
Also Ran: Free Closer, Well Versed, Dear Diary, Panda Listen, Avalon Rose, Fast Amy. Scratched: For the Win.
Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel Racing.

The post Miss Monica Romps in Del Mar Debutante appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Del Mar Juvenile Turf Victor Observed is First Graded Winner for Juddmonte’s Mandaloun

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Trainer Jonathan Thomas has had good luck shipping to Del Mar, picking up five graded wins with Truly Quality (Quality Road), Mrs. Astor (Lookin At Lucky), and Will Then (War of Will) just in the last two years. He added another score to the mix Saturday with Observed (c, 2, Mandaloun–Overseen, by First Defence, a first graded winner for freshman sire Mandaloun (by Into Mischief). who debuted Aug. 4 at Horseshoe Indianapolis going 7 1/2 furlongs on the turf. After a handy win there, Observed shipped to Del Mar, registering a bullet :47 4/5 (1/5) four-furlong work over the lawn Aug. 30 in preparation for Saturday’s victory in the GIII Del Mar Juvenile Turf Stakes.

A $240,000 Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Bridlewood Farm, and Robert LaPenta buy at the 2025 Keeneland September sale, Observed broke smoothly as Golden Sentry (Halladay) in the next stall hopped awkwardly out of the gate, then got crowded a bit as the field sorted out, causing Juan Hernandez in the irons to take up slightly and steady. Unfazed, Observed settled along the rail three from the rear as Itinerary (Quality Road) showed the way up front through a :22.48 first quarter. Shuffled to a joint last, Observed bided his time before splitting horses entering the turn as Itinerary got tackled up front by Off in the Corner (Karakontie {Jpn}). ‘TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard’ Shadow Nation (Ire) (Sioux Nation) loomed menacingly at the top of the lane–in his first start since late May at Santa Anita following a minor stall incident–to unleash a powerful stretch run while shadowed to his outside by Observed as Off in the Corner held a four-length advantage. Observed and Shadow Nation hooked up, making it a two-horse race down the lane, leaving Off in the Corner in their wake as Observed outfooted Shadow Nation to the wire by three-quarters of a length.

“We’re really pleased with the result,” said Thomas.” As we thought there was going to be a lot of pace, we found ourselves a little farther back than ideal but I thought Juan [Hernandez] did a great job of sitting chilly and cool and waiting for a good seam. The horse had a lot of momentum and got the job done. He really polished the race off nicely. I’m really proud of him.”

Pedigree Notes:

It wasn’t a bad day at the office Saturday for Juddmonte’s Mandaloun, who got his eighth 2-year-old winner in his first crop with Rum Twist at Saratoga, then added his first graded winner with Observed. The Classic-winning son of Into Mischief also has a Thistledown black-type winner in unbeaten three-for-three Book Value.

Observed’s dam Overseen is a granddaughter of Juddmonte’s tremendous broodmare Slightly Dangerous (Roberto), who produced six Grade/Group I performers. Already the dam of GIII Lecomte Stakes winner Call Me Midnight (Midnight Lute), Overseen was covered by Goal Oriented for next term. From Juddmonte families on top and bottom, Observed was bred by Hartwell Farm, who purchased Overseen as an unraced 2-year-old at the 2013 Keeneland November sale for $16,000.

Observed and Juan Hernandez find another gear and dig in to win the Del Mar Juvenile Turf GIII. pic.twitter.com/DfquAt81C7

— Del Mar Racetrack (@DelMarRacing) September 5, 2026

Saturday, Del Mar
DEL MAR JUVENILE TURF S.-GIII, $101,500, Del Mar, 9-5, 2yo, 1mT, 1:36.40, fm.
1–OBSERVED, 120, c, 2, by Mandaloun
              1st Dam: Overseen, by First Defence
              2nd Dam: Jibe, by Danzig
              3rd Dam: Slightly Dangerous, by Roberto
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. ($240,000
Ylg ’25 KEESEP). O-Bridlewood Farm, Eclipse Thoroughbred
Partners and Robert V. LaPenta; B-Hartwell Farm Inc. (KY);
T-Jonathan Thomas; J-Juan J. Hernandez. $60,000. ‘TDN
Rising Star, presented by Hagyard’ Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0,
$79,200. 1st graded winner for freshman sire (by Into
Mischief). *1/2 to Call Me Midnight (Midnight Lute), GSW,
$286,188. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the
eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or the free
Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Shadow Nation (Ire), 122, c, 2, Sioux Nation–
Tooralooraloo (Ire), by Dylan Thomas (Ire). 1ST BLACK TYPE,
1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. (€42,000 Ylg ’25 TATIRY).
O-Slugo Racing, Tiger Racing, Inc. and Craig Warren;
B-Cottage Bloodstock (IRE); T-Mike Puype. $20,000.
3–Off in the Corner, 122, c, 2, Karakontie (Jpn)–Sally Dangles,
by More Than Ready. 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK
TYPE. ($30,000 Ylg ’25 KEESEP; $110,000 2yo ’26 OBSAPR).
O-Altamira Racing Stable, Gary Barber, and Tom Kagele;
B-Newstead Stables LLC (KY); T-Peter Miller. $12,000.
Margins: 3/4, 1, 3/4. Odds: 6.70, 1.40, 5.60.
Also Ran: Hoaxer, Golden Sentry, Itinerary, Missed Fortune, Cosmic Charlie. Scratched: Automatic Press, Dang Son.
Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel Racing.

The post Del Mar Juvenile Turf Victor Observed is First Graded Winner for Juddmonte’s Mandaloun appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.