The Oceanside Stakes, set for Friday, July 18, 2025, opens the prestigious Del Mar summer meet with a $100,000 turf mile for 3-year-old colts and geldings. This black-type stakes race is a traditional stepping stone to the La Jolla Handicap and Del Mar Derby, attracting turf sophomores with graded aspirations.
Field Overview & Horse-by-Horse Analysis
| Post | Horse | Sire – Dam (Dam Sire) | Jockey | Trainer | Breeder |
| 1 | Cali Cat | American Pharoah – Ready for Romance | Vincent Cheminaud | John W. Sadler | Thomas W. Bachman |
| 2 | Incanto (IRE) | Mehmas – Hateel | Tiago Pereira | Peter Eurton | Novidale Ltd & Eoghan Grogan |
| 3 | Iron Man Cal | Collected – Joyful Dreams | Antonio Fresu | Phil D’Amato | Brereton C. Jones |
| 4 | Lyle The Crocodile | Inns of Court – Miriam’s Song | Umberto Rispoli | Phil D’Amato | Jerry Murphy |
| 5 | Artislas | Catalina Cruiser – Moms Pride | Juan Hernandez | Jeff Mullins | University of Kentucky |
| 6 | Kale’s Angel | Complexity – Love Affair | Armando Ayuso | Peter Miller | Brereton C. Jones |
| 7 | Game Warrior | Game Winner – Le Mi Geaux | Hector Berrios | Peter Miller | George W. Ruggiero |
| 8 | Day and Age | Omaha Beach – Skipalute | Mike Smith | Richard Mandella | Spendthrift Farm LLC |
| 9 | Mala | Union Rags – Witchy One | William Antongeorgi | Steve Sherman | Carliwood Farms LLC |
| 10 | Bodi Zafa | Good Samaritan – Lightning Dove | Kazushi Kimura | Jerry Hollendorfer | Cove Springs LLC |
Top Contenders & Strategic Insights
Iron Man Cal
Runner-up in the 2024 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1T) at Del Mar.
By Collected, a son of City Zip known for turf versatility and stamina.
Trainer Phil D’Amato is a turf specialist with multiple entries in this race.
Day and Age
By Omaha Beach, a rising sire with turf and dirt versatility.
Mike Smith aboard adds Hall of Fame experience and tactical finesse.
Dam Skipalute was stakes-placed, adding sprinting class and precocity.
Artislas
Sired by Catalina Cruiser, known for brilliance at middle distances.
Juan Hernandez, Del Mar’s leading rider, takes the mount.
Finished 5th in the Cinema Stakes, showing late interest.
Pedigree Highlights & Breeding Trends
Incanto (IRE) (Mehmas) brings European turf class and precocity.
Cali Cat (American Pharoah) is bred for stamina and turf adaptability.
Kale’s Angel and Game Warrior represent emerging sires Complexity and Game Winner, both with turf potential.
Bodi Zafa (Good Samaritan) and Mala (Union Rags) offer closing power and pedigree depth.
Expect a moderate-to-fast pace, with Game Warrior and Kale’s Angel likely to press early. Iron Man Cal and Day and Age are prime for stalking trips and late surges. For Pick 5 or Pick 6 players, this race could be a spread leg with 3–4 viable win candidates.
