The Grade II San Clemente Handicap returns to Del Mar Racetrack on Saturday, July 19, 2025, as Race 9 on the card. This $200,000 turf stakes for 3-year-old fillies spans 1 mile, drawing a competitive field of rising turf stars, elite pedigrees, and powerhouse West Coast connections.
Top Contenders & Pedigree Profiles
| Horse Name | Jockey | Trainer | Pedigree Highlights | Morning Line Odds |
| Thought Process | Hector I. Berrios | Philip D’Amato | Collected × Creative Thinking | 8-5 Favorite |
| Will Then | Mike E. Smith | Jonathan Thomas | War of Will × Remember Then | 4-1 |
| Casalu | Kazushi Kimura | Bob Baffert | Caracaro × Key d’Oro | 6-1 |
| Jungle Peace (IRE) | Antonio Fresu | Philip D’Amato | Bungle Inthejungle (GB) × Peace Treaty (IRE) | 8-1 |
| Amorita | Juan J. Hernandez | Richard Mandella | Liam’s Map × Cara Bella | 10-1 |
| Silent Law | Mirco Demuro | Bob Baffert | Tiz the Law × Southern Silence | 10-1 |
| As Catch Can | Vincent Cheminaud | Jonathan Thomas | Mo Town × Just a Catch | 10-1 |
| Firenze Flavor | Drayden Van Dyke | Patrick Gallagher | Liam’s Map × Summer Escape | 12-1 |
| Miso Phansy | Armando Ayuso | Leonard Powell | Karakontie (JPN) × Sandy Cheeks | 12-1 |
Pedigree Power Plays
Thought Process, by Collected, is a stakes-winning turf filly with a dominant allowance win last out. Her dam Creative Thinking adds stamina and turf class. Will Then, bred by George Strawbridge Jr., is by War of Will, a Preakness winner with turf versatility. She’s improving and has tactical speed. Casalu, by Caracaro, has a strong dirt foundation but is bred to stretch out on turf. Baffert’s filly is consistent and game. Jungle Peace (IRE) brings European turf pedigree and has already won the Senorita Stakes (G3T) over Santa Anita’s downhill turf.
Jockey & Trainer Dynamics
Hector Berrios and Philip D’Amato are a lethal turf duo, and Thought Process is their latest rising star. Mike Smith, aboard Will Then, brings Hall of Fame experience and finesse to a filly with upside. Kazushi Kimura and Bob Baffert team up with Casalu, who’s won 3 of 8 starts and enters off a layoff. Antonio Fresu, riding Jungle Peace, has a strong record with D’Amato and excels in turf sprints and routes.
Race Strategy
Thought Process will likely sit just off the pace and pounce late with Berrios’s patient ride. Will Then and Casalu may press the pace early, setting up a tactical showdown. Jungle Peace and Amorita could be value plays if the pace collapses. Silent Law, drawn wide, may need a perfect trip but has never missed the exacta in five starts.
