Race Details
Race: Graduation Stakes (Black Type)
Track: Del Mar Racetrack, Del Mar, CA
Date: Friday, August 8, 2025
Distance: 5 furlongs (Dirt)
Purse: $100,000
Eligibility: California-bred or sired 2-year-olds
Post Time: 3:00 PM PT
Horse-by-Horse Analysis
| Post | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Pedigree (Sire x Dam) | Odds | Notes |
| 1 | What’s A Good Name | Juan Hernandez | Peter Miller | Far From Over × Parisienne (BRZ) | 19-10 | Won maiden at Del Mar; rail draw suits |
| 2 | Desert Dawg | Welfin Orantes | Adan Farias | Unknown × Unknown | 60-1 | Longshot; upset winner at Los Alamitos |
| 3 | Trump Era | Adrian Escobedo | Ryan Hanson | Unknown × Unknown | 3-5 | Speedy; won at Santa Anita over 4f |
| 4 | Sammy Davis | Hector Berrios | John Sadler | Unknown × Unknown | 13-10 | Strong Del Mar win; tactical speed |
| 5 | Fionello | Armando Ayuso | Steve Knapp | Unknown × Unknown | Evens | Beat Trump Era previously; top rating |
| 6 | Hero Or Zero | Umberto Rispoli | Doug O’Neill | Unknown × Unknown | 9-5 | Dominant 6½-length win at Santa Anita |
Pedigree Insights
What’s A Good Name is by Far From Over, a son of Blame, out of Parisienne (BRZ). He carries a TrueNicks rating of A, indicating strong genetic compatibility for sprint distances.
Case Hit (not entered here but relevant) is by Frosted out of Stunning Ghost, with a B+ rating.
I’m A Bad Boy, The Gypsy Cowboy, and Last Call Zondlo are all by Stay Thirsty, a sire known for producing precocious juveniles with stamina and grit.
Jockey & Trainer Highlights
Top Jockeys in the Field
Juan Hernandez – 23% win rate at Del Mar; mounts the rail-drawn What’s A Good Name
Umberto Rispoli – Known for tactical rides; aboard Hero Or Zero
Hector Berrios – 19% win rate; guided Sammy Davis to maiden win
Leading Trainers
Peter Miller – Fields multiple contenders; excels with 2-year-olds at Del Mar
Doug O’Neill – Trains Hero Or Zero, who posted the highest speed figure in the field
John Sadler – Veteran conditioner with a sharp eye for juvenile talent
Top Contenders:
Hero Or Zero – Highest speed figure, explosive maiden win
Fionello – Tactical speed and prior win over Trump Era
Sammy Davis – Sharp Del Mar form and strong connections
Longshot to Watch:
Desert Dawg – Outsider with sneaky speed; could hit the board
Prediction:
Winner: Hero Or Zero
Exacta: Hero Or Zero / Fionello
Trifecta: Hero Or Zero / Fionello / Sammy Davis
