The Grade II Eddie Read Stakes at Del Mar is set to deliver a thrilling turf showdown on Sunday, July 27, 2025, featuring a competitive field of eight older horses vying over 1 1/8 miles on turf for a purse of $250,000.
Field Overview & Post Positions
| PP | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Odds | Age/Sex | Pedigree |
| 1 | Dicey Mo Chara (GB) | Juan J. Hernandez | Leonard Powell | 12-1 | 7YO G | Adaay (IRE) – Leonica (GB) |
| 2 | Balnikhov (IRE) | Kazushi Kimura | Philip D’Amato | 10-1 | 6YO G | Adaay (IRE) – Leeward |
| 3 | Atitlan | Hector I. Berrios | John A. Shirreffs | 4-1 | 4YO C | The Factor – Armanda (GER) |
| 4 | Formidable Man | Umberto Rispoli | Michael W. McCarthy | 5-2 | 4YO C | City of Light – Fanticola |
| 5 | Gold Phoenix (IRE) | Kyle Frey | Philip D’Amato | 3-1 | 7YO G | Belardo (IRE) – Magnifica |
| 6 | Stay Hot | Antonio Fresu | Peter Eurton | 6-1 | 4YO R | Summer Front – Etsu |
| 7 | Cabo Spirit | Mike E. Smith | George Papaprodromou | 5-1 | 6YO G | Pioneerof the Nile – Fancy Day (IRE) |
| 8 | Balladeer | Abel Cedillo | George Papaprodromou | 20-1 | 6YO H | Distorted Humor – Golden Ballad (IRE) |
Top Contenders & Tactical Breakdown
Formidable Man – Del Mar Turf Specialist
Trainer: Michael McCarthy
Jockey: Umberto Rispoli
Pedigree: City of Light × Fanticola
Key Wins: Hollywood Derby (G1), Del Mar Derby (G2), Frank E. Kilroe Mile (G1)
Gold Phoenix (IRE) – Veteran Turf Warrior
Trainer: Phil D’Amato
Jockey: Kyle Frey
Pedigree: Belardo (IRE) × Magnifica
Key Wins: 2023 Eddie Read Stakes, Del Mar Handicap (G2)
Atitlan – Emerging Turf Star
Trainer: John Shirreffs
Jockey: Hector Berrios
Pedigree: The Factor × Armanda (GER)
Key Wins: Charles Whittingham (G2), San Luis Rey (G3)
Stay Hot – Versatile Ridgling with Upside
Trainer: Peter Eurton
Jockey: Antonio Fresu
Pedigree: Summer Front × Etsu
Key Wins: Texas Turf Classic, La Jolla Handicap
Betting Strategy & Pace Scenario
Likely Pace: Moderate to fast. Formidable Man and Balladeer may vie for the lead, with Cabo Spirit and Stay Hot tracking.
Best Closers: Atitlan, Gold Phoenix, Dicey Mo Chara
Value Plays: Balnikhov (solid turf form, underrated connections), Dicey Mo Chara (multiple placings in this race)
Formidable Man – unbeatable Del Mar record
Gold Phoenix – classy veteran with strong late kick
Atitlan – surging 4YO with stamina
Stay Hot – tactical and improving
