The California Dreamin’ Stakes, a $150,000 turf feature for California-bred 3-year-olds and up, headlines Race 9 at Del Mar Racetrack on Saturday, August 2, 2025. Run over 1 1/16 miles on turf, this restricted stakes race draws a competitive field of seasoned geldings and colts, many with stakes credentials and pedigrees built for grass.
Race Details
Race: California Dreamin’ Stakes (Race 9)
Track: Del Mar Racetrack, Del Mar, CA
Date: Saturday, August 2, 2025
Post Time: 6:03 PM PT
Distance: 1 1/16 miles (Turf)
Purse: $150,000
Conditions: California-bred 3-year-olds and up
Full Field Analysis
| PP | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Sire | Dam (Dam Sire) | ML Odds |
| 1 | Annan | Geovanni Franco | Alexis Barba | Unusual Heatwave | Tizalwaysomething (Tiznow) | 30/1 |
| 2 | Aligato | Antonio Fresu | Mark Glatt | Kitten’s Joy | Pretty Hard (Rock Hard Ten) | 4/1 |
| 3 | Clouseau | Kent Desormeaux | George Papaprodromou | Distorted Humor | English Garden (Bernardini) | 12/1 |
| 4 | Miss Jo’s Curlin | Drayden Van Dyke | Brendan Galvin | Curlin to Mischief | Miss Jo’s Command (Forest Command) | 30/1 |
| 5 | Mr. Disrespectful | Hector Berrios | Martin Valenzuela Jr. | Smiling Tiger | Hotazel (Unbridled’s Song) | 8/1 |
| 6 | Barely Functional | Armando Ayuso | Antonio Garcia | Mrazek | Walkingonadream (Tapit) | 30/1 |
| 7 | Coalinga Road | Mirco Demuro | Carla Gaines | Quality Road | Coco Ecolo (Johannesburg) | 8/1 |
| 8 | Takes Three | Kazushi Kimura | Mike Puype | Nyquist | Radish (Square Eddie) | 15/1 |
| 9 | Kings River Knight | Juan Hernandez | John Sadler | Acclamation | Seasontoperfection (Poteen) | 1/1 |
| 10 | Pure Madness | Tyler Baze | Brian Koriner | Sir Prancealot (IRE) | Pure (Quality Road) | 15/1 |
| 11 | Mystic Spirit | Mike E. Smith | Michael McCarthy | Danzing Candy | Rowdy Gal (Pure Prize) | 15/1 |
Top Contenders Breakdown
Kings River Knight (ML: 1/1)
Trainer: John Sadler
Jockey: Juan Hernandez
Pedigree: By Acclamation, out of Seasontoperfection (Poteen)
Form: Winner of the Unusual Heat Turf Classic and Los Alamitos stakes
Edge: Tactical speed, turf specialist, 17 top-two finishes in 19 starts
Aligato (ML: 4/1)
Trainer: Mark Glatt
Jockey: Antonio Fresu
Pedigree: By Kitten’s Joy, out of Pretty Hard (Rock Hard Ten)
Form: Consistent turf performer with strong late kick
Edge: Proven class, ideal pedigree for turf route
Coalinga Road (ML: 8/1)
Trainer: Carla Gaines
Jockey: Mirco Demuro
Pedigree: By Quality Road, out of Coco Ecolo (Johannesburg)
Form: Multiple stakes-placed, solid turf record
Edge: Versatile running style, capable of pressing or stalking
Pedigree Insights
Acclamation: Sire of Kings River Knight; dominant turf influence in California-bred ranks.
Kitten’s Joy: Elite turf sire; Aligato’s bloodline suggests stamina and class.
Nyquist & Quality Road: Add speed and versatility to Takes Three and Coalinga Road.
Sir Prancealot (IRE): European turf influence; Pure Madness could surprise with trip.
Final Thoughts
The California Dreamin’ Stakes is Kings River Knight’s race to lose, but Aligato and Coalinga Road bring enough class and turf experience to challenge the favorite. With a deep field of turf-bred geldings and colts, expect a tactical race where positioning and pace will be key. Mystic Spirit and Mr. Disrespectful offer longshot value if the leaders falter.
