And maybe it was just the heat of the moment, but it seemed in the winner's circle afterward that seeing the 4-year-old daughter of Karakontie bursting between horses at the top of the stretch in the $200,000, 1 1/16-mile Grade 2 event and proceeding resolutely to a 1 ¼-length victory, topped the previous five here for the 63-year-old Stidham.

“I always, always love coming back to Del Mar,” Stidham, 63, said. “I was here all through the 1980s and it's almost like coming home. It's a great feeling. Part of my family – my daughter from college and my mother – are here and it's just a fantastic feeling.”

Stidham trained Princess Grace's mother, Masquerade, and said that the two were similarly tenacious, “always digging in and trying to win every time out.” Princess Grace, he said, was more talented – as evidenced by five wins and a second in six career starts over six different racetracks. “She should be undefeated, the one loss was just unlucky,” Stidham said.

Based in New Orleans, Stidham campaigns horses extensively in the Midwest and East, but has had success shipping here for stakes events over the last seven years.

In 2014, he won the San Clemente Stakes and the Sandy Blue with Istanford. He took back-to-back runnings of the Jimmy Durante during the fall meeting in 2018 and 2019 with Elsa and Alms, respectively. Pixelate's victory in last year's Del Mar Derby made it three straight years of at least one Del Mar stakes victory for Stidham, a streak that Princess Grace extended.

“I have to say, one of the reasons I'm here is David Jerkens, the racing secretary,” Stidham said. “He's constantly calling me and wanting me to bring a string out – which I did a few years ago – and keeping me updated on races. He does a great job, and I want to give him credit for being part of the reason I came.”

Princess Grace exited the Yellow Ribbon in fine fettle. Her next assignment is undetermined.

“I haven't looked past (the Yellow Ribbon),” Stidham said. “This was going to be her test to step up to another league and she obviously passed the test really well.”

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And with those lucrative first steps taken, the connections are eyeing even bigger things on August 21 as part of the five-stakes mega card for TVG Pacific Classic Day. For United, it's the $300,000 Grade 2 Del Mar Handicap, a “Win & You're In” qualifier for the $3 million Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Turf here on November 6. For Madone, it's the $300,000 Grade 1 Del Mar Oaks.

In defending his Eddie Read title United, a 6-year-old gelded son of Giant's Causeway, rebounded from a lackluster last-of-four effort in the Charles Whittingham on May 29 at Santa Anita. That effort had his Hall of Fame trainer mystified until a small bruise was found under a shoe.

Under Flavien Prat on Saturday, United went willingly between rivals on the far turn and prevailed by a neck in a stretch duel with even-money favorite Smooth Like Strait.

United covered the 1 1/8 miles over the Jimmy Durante Turf Course in 1:49.49 which compared to 1:46.71 in the 2020 victory.

“Different race, different horses,” Mandella said.

“He went back to his old form,” said Prat.

A year ago, the G2 Eddie Read win prompted Mandella to toy with the idea of entering United in the TVG Pacific Classic. After a few days of thought, and also becoming aware that the Classic purse had been dropped from $1 million to $500,000, Mandella opted for the Del Mar Handicap. United was second by a head to Red King in that one.

Mandella's focus is entirely on the G2 Del Mar Handicap this time.

“We're not on the roll we were last year,” he said.

In the G2 San Clemente, Madone made amends for a no-factor performance from a wide trip in the Honeymoon at Santa Anita on May 22. That race was three weeks after a victory in the Senorita and trainer Simon Callaghan shouldered responsibility for the disappointment.

“I ran her back too soon,” Callaghan said. “She bounced, simple as that.”

Madone's victory ended a five-race win streak for Going Global, the 2-5 San Clemente favorite. Trainer Phil D'Amato said the Irish-bred filly came out of the race well and a rematch should be forthcoming in the Del Mar Oaks.

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The winner, a daughter of the Australian sire Vancouver though bred in Kentucky, covered a mile on turf in the Grade 2 feature in 1:35.28 and got the measure of race favorite Going Global, the 2-5 choice running in the silks of Dubb, Gevertz or Nentwig and partners. Finishing third was Slam Dunk Racing or Platts' Tetragonal.

Madone picked up a check for $120,000 for her fifth win – four of them in stakes — in seven starts and increased her earnings to $331,800. She now is three-for-three at Del Mar, all turf races. The dark bay or brown miss was purchased by her owner at a 2-year-old in training sale for $125,000 in March of 2020.

Madone paid $13.60, $4.00 and $3.00 across the board. Going Global, who had captured four straight stakes this year since coming over from her native Ireland, returned $2.20 and $2.10, while Tetragonal paid off at $3.80 for the show.

Trainer Simon Callaghan saddled Madone and indicated that his filly would next be pointed to the Grade 1, $300,000 Del Mar Oaks, the championship race for sophomore fillies at the shore track's summer meet. That race is part of a five-stakes card on Saturday, August 21.

JUAN HERNANDEZ (Madone, winner) – “That was the plan, to lay back then come running. Simon (trainer Simon Callaghan) said to keep her covered up and save ground. That's what I did. On the turn (for home), I took her out and she gave it to me. She really came running. Nice win for sure.”

SIMON CALLAGHAN (Madone, winner) – “We were able to save ground and they were going quick early, so I was happy with our spot early. He (jockey Juan Hernandez) made a wide early move but it was the right one. She's got a nice turn of foot and she's such a good filly. I blame myself (for sixth-place result in the G3 Honeymoon on May 22 at Santa Anita); I ran her back too quickly. She bounced, it's as simple as that. We'll now look to the Del Mar Oaks.”

FRACTIONS:  :22.26  :45.86  1:11.12  1:35.28

The stakes win was the second of the meet for rider Hernandez, but his first in the San Clemente. He now has nine stakes wins at Del Mar.

The stakes win was the first of the meet for Callaghan, but his second in the San Clemente (Up In Time, 2011). He now has 15 stakes wins at Del Mar.

The winning owner is Kaleem Shah of San Diego and Vienna, VA.

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Madone (Vancouver {Aus}) looks to rebound off a sixth-place finish in the Honeymoon. A two-time stakes winner as a juvenile, the dark bay previously captured the GIII Senorita S. at Santa Anita May 1.

Closing Remarks (Vronsky) has been knocking at the door of a graded stakes victory. A stakes winner against Cal-breds in January, she was second to Going Global in both the China Doll and Providencia. The chestnut was last seen rallying to be third in the Senorita.

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Among the other 11 there are many with stakes credentials, including Madone, who won the Grade 3 Senorita Stakes in early May before a sixth-place finish in the Honeymoon. Closing Remarks has finished first or second in five of seven career races including when second and very close behind Going Global (IRE) in the Grade 3 Providencia Stakes this past April. Karakatsie ships cross-country from Gulfstream Park where she just missed by a neck when second in the Martha Washington Stakes while Pizzazz attempts to rebound off a fifth-place effort in the Honeymoon and run more like she did just before that when winning the California Oaks in Northern California.

Another with a good effort in stakes is Nimbostratus (FR), who finished second in the Juvenile Fillies Turf Stakes last summer at Del Mar and finished third behind Going Global (IRE) in the Grade 3 Sweet Life Stakes this past February. Tetraganol (IRE) missed by a neck to Madone last October in the Surfer Girl Stakes and deserves some respect, as might California Oaks runner-up Freedom Flyer. Equilove (IRE) imported to the United States after five losing efforts in Ireland last year and has won two of three since then; while Jibber Jabber (IRE) was just second and beaten a half-length by Tetragonal (IRE) so may fit in this race as well. Founder's Day and Dramatizer round out the field. 

Main Contenders:

Nimbostratus (FR) is my pick to post the upset over likely heavy betting favorite Going Global (IRE) in this year's San Clemente. After importing to the U.S. last summer, Nimbostratus (FR) showed she had a lot of talent when leading late and settling for second behind Madone in the Juvenile Fillies Turf Stakes at Del Mar. After finishing second in a six-furlong allowance race on turf in January, Nimbostratus (FR) rallied for third behind Going Global (IRE) in the Sweet Life Stakes, then was a nose best in a six-furlong dash on the Santa Anita turf on March 6. Following a poor effort in the one-mile Senorita Stakes in May (won by Madone), Nimbostratus (FR) shortened up again and bettered her career-best with a 104 Equibase Speed Figure effort. Jockey Abel Cedillo was aboard for the first time in that race and rides back.

The latter race was an allowance/optional claiming race and I'm pretty sure no one expected Nimbostratus (FR) to be claimed as her price tag was $150,000, but she was. Now in the hands of up-and-coming trainer Leonard Powell, who saddled Flashiest to win the opening day Oceanside Stakes last week, Nimbostratus (FR) can win the San Clemente if she repeats that last effort as the 104 figure is on par with the figure favorite Going Global (IRE) earned in her most recent effort winning the Honeymoon Stakes.

Going Global (IRE) doesn't need much talking up as she's won four straight races since coming to the U.S. in February. All were stakes and her consistent  figures of 99, 95 and 99 then most recently 104 show she's holding top form. Trainer Phil D'Amato (who also saddles Equilove (IRE)) has given the filly a series of steady workouts since her last start on May 22 and as the most recent of those were on the Del Mar turf, this filly has every right to run another “A” race good enough to win under jockey Flavien Prat, who has been aboard for all four of her local wins.

Equilove (IRE) fits at the level and may be a horse at higher odds near post time given the nature of this full field. She's never run in a stakes race but her last race was a 102 figure, earned when sprinting last month on turf, and demonstrates she fits with these as it's nearly on par with the 104 figures Going Global (IRE) and Nimbostratus (FR) earned in their most recent races. Equilove (IRE) came to the U.S. over the fall and made her first start for D'Amato in March. She won that race nicely with a 94 figure, then stumbled at the start in her next race and lost all chance but still managed to finish fourth. Next was the breakout race last month in which she led from start to finish under jockey Ricardo Gonzalez, who rides her today. Considering Equilove (IRE) had won her first local start when fifth early and her most recent on the lead from start to finish, that kind of versatility bodes well for her chances to be in the mix at the end of this year's San Clemente Stakes.

Honorable mention, and some consideration for bets we make involving this race, goes to Madone, Karakatsie and Closing Remarks. Madone won the similar Senorita Stakes at a mile in May but the figure was just 89 so she would need to improve to be competitive. However, she won the first three starts of her career including two stakes, one at Del Mar, so that type of improvement is not out of the question. Karakatsie ran the best race of her career last month when second and beaten a neck in the Martha Washington Stakes at Gulfstream Park, earning a 98 figure. She is on a pattern for more improvement in her third start off a layoff and she is sired by Breeders' Cup Mile winner Karakontie so may have what it takes to be in the mix here. Closing Remarks has finished first or second in five of seven races including her last four. All four were stakes on turf and in one of those, the Providencia Stakes, Closing Remarks was only a neck behind Going Global (IRE) so she has shown enough to be respected when considering exacta wagers in this race. 

The rest of the field, with their best  Equibase Speed Figures, is Dramatizer (80), Founder's Day (83), Freedom Flyer (84), Jibber Jabber (IRE) (88), Pizzazz (89) and Tetragonal (IRE) (93). 

San Clemente Stakes –$200,000,  Grade 2
Race 10 at Del Mar, Saturday, July 24, Post Time 9:30 p.m. ET
One Mile on Turf; Fillies, Three Years Old

Win Contenders:
Nimbostratus (FR)
Going Global (IRE)
Equilove (IRE)

Ellis Starr is national racing analyst for Equibase

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The pair of black type, added-money affairs will highlight an 11-race card that has a first post of 2 p.m.

The Eddie Read, named for Del Mar's long-time publicity director, has drawn a field of seven solid older stakes aces, including Cannon Thoroughbred's Smooth Like Strait and LNJ Foxwoods' United. They'll run a mile and one-eighth on the Jimmy Durante Turf Course in Race 8 on the program.

Then the San Clemente, named for the Orange Country beach town just above the Marines' Camp Pendelton base north of the track, will go forth with a dozen 3-year-old fillies in the gate for a one-mile spin on the grass that is scheduled to be Race 10.

The Irish filly Going Global, a stakes winner of all four of her U.S. starts this year, appears a stout choice and surely the one to beat in the San Clemente, which serves as a key prep for the track's championship race for sophomore fillies – the Grade 1, $300,000 Del Mar Oaks at nine furlongs on Saturday, Aug. 21.

Here's the field for the Eddie Read with weights and riders: OXO Equine's Vintage Print (121, Adam Beschizza); United (121, Flavine Prat); Agave Racing Stable or Sam-Son Farm's Say the Word (123, Mike Smith); Agave Racing Stable or Sam-Son Farm's Count Again (121, Joe Bravo); Amerman Racing's Award Winner (123, Juan Hernandez); Smooth Like Strait (125, Umberto Rispoli), and Brinkerhoff or Grayson Jr.'s Restrainedvengence (121, Tyler Baze).

The San Clemente lineup looks like this: Perry and Ramona Bass' Pizzazz (120, Kyle Frey); Dubb, Gevertz or Nentwig, et al's Going Global (1232, Prat); Bernsen, Lambert or Hale's Founder's Day (118, Baze); Branham or Naify's Freedom Flyer (120, Victor Espinoza); Slam Dunk Racing or Platts' Tetragonal (120, Bravo); Strand Beach's Equilove (120, Ricky Gonzalez); Derrick Fisher's Jibber Jabber (118, Geovanni Franco); Roncelli Family Trust and Roney's Dramatizer (118, Edwin Maldonado); Kaleem Shah's Madone (123, Henandez); Schumer or Screnci's Karakatsie (118, Kent Desormeaux); SF Racing's Nimbostratus (120, Abel Cedillo), and Harris Farms' Closing Remarks (123, Rispoli).

Smooth Like Straight, trained by Mike McCarthy, comes into the Read off a front-running tally in the Grade 1 Shoemaker Mile at Santa Anita on May 31. The handy 4-year-old by sprint champion Midnight Lute is a seven-time winner who has banked $933,823 and could take a bunch of catching Saturday.

United has won eight races and more than $1.5 million over a 19-race career thus far. The 6-year-old gelding by Giant's Causeway won the Eddie Read last year.

In the San Clemente, Going Global, a daughter of the Irish stallion Mehmas, won only one of four starts in her native land as a 2-year-old, but has done nothing but win with her shift stateside. She is conditioned by Phil D'Amato.

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Laura's LIght's rider was Abel Cedillo, who wound up capturing three races on the afternoon's 11-race card, including the G2 San Diego Handicap aboard Maximum Security.

Laura's Light, a Kentucky-bred daughter of Constitution, covered the mile on the greensward in 1:34.16 and paid $4.40, $3.00 and $2.60 as the 6/5 favorite in the field of 10 runners. She earned $90,000 for the victory and now sports a bankroll of $304,370.

Trained by Peter Miller, Laura's Light was winning for the fifth time in seven career starts. She was coming off a hard-fought victory in the Honeymoon Stakes on turf at Santa Anita on May 30 — her second G3 win this year.

Both of the Grade 2 races run Saturday are considered key preps for Grade 1 races later in the meet – the $500,000 TVG Pacific Classic in the case of Maximum Security and the $250,000 Del Mar Oaks for Laura's Light. Each of those races will be run at Del Mar on August 22 as part of a five-stakes program and both winning trainers today gave indications that their charges would be pointed in that direction.

Earlier on the card in the $65,000 Smiling Tiger Overnight Stakes, MyRacehorse.com and Slam Dunk Racing's Vertical Threat outran three foes to score by five and a quarter lengths under Heriberto Figueroa.  The 3-year-old colt trained by Richard Baltas ran six furlongs in 1:10.47.

Racing resumes at Del Mar tomorrow with an 11-race card beginning at 2 p.m.

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The likely favorite in the $150,000 San Clemente is Gary Barber's Laura's Light, a bay daughter of the hot young sire Constitution who has won four of her six lifetime starts and comes into the turfer off a tally in the Grade III Honeymoon Stakes at Santa Anita on May 30. That race was at nine furlongs on the grass and she held on to win by a neck under rider Abel Cedillo, who rides back Saturday for trainer Peter Miller.

Laura's Light's chief rivals appear to be a pair of stakes winners in Benjamin and Sally Warren's Warren's Showtime, who'll be handled by regular rider Jorge Velez, and the Florida shipper Cheermeister, who is owned by Teresa and David Palmer and gets the saddle services of Victor Espinoza.

Cheermeister, who is by Bodemeister, won a pair of graded turf stakes at Gulfstream Park earlier this year and will be making her first start since May 15. Trainer Armando De La Cerda has guided the quick lassie to four victories in seven starts, all but one of them on the lawn. She has been training steadily in Florida since her last out.

The San Clemente is one of three stakes on the Saturday card at Del Mar, the others being the $150,000, Grade II San Diego Handicap and the $65,000 Smiling Tiger Stakes.

Here's the complete field for the San Clemente in post position order with riders and morning line odds:

Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners' She's So Special (Flavien Prat, 5-1); DRJ Racing and Great Friends Stable's Lazy Daisy (Giovanni Franco, 20-1); Laura's Light (3-1); Batchelor Family Trust's Over Attracted (Mike Smith, 15-1); Red Barons Barn or Rancho Temesca's Croughavouke (Umberto Rispoli, 6-1); Cheermeister (6-1); Next Wave Racing, Baltas or Robershaw's Little Bird (Ruben Fuentes, 15-1); Gainesway Stable, LNJ Foxwoods or Rose's Mind Out (Brice Blanc, 15-1); Warren's Showtime (7/2); Benowitz Family Trust and Madaket Stable's Guitty (Juan Hernandez, 20-1), and Medallion Racing, Next Wave Racing, et al's Applecross (Drayden Van Dyke, 12-1).

The San Clemente will be the 9th of 11 races on the Saturday program.

First post all afternoons at Del Mar is 2 p.m.

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