Track: Del Mar Thoroughbred Club (Del Mar, CA)
Race: Race 9 – Pat O’Brien Stakes (G2)
Distance: 7 furlongs (Dirt)
Surface: Dirt
Purse: $250,000
Eligibility: 3-Year-Olds & Up
Post Time: 6:03 PM PDT
Breeders’ Cup “Win & You’re In”: Automatic berth to the 2025 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1)
The Pat O’Brien Stakes returns for its 40th edition, honoring Hollywood legend and racing enthusiast Pat O’Brien. This Grade II sprint at seven furlongs has drawn a deep field of nine older horses, including multiple graded stakes winners, comeback stories, and pedigree-rich contenders. With a Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile spot on the line, expect a high-octane showdown on the Del Mar dirt.
Horse-by-Horse Breakdown: Jockeys, Trainers & Pedigree Insights
| No. | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Pedigree | Morning Line Odds |
| 1 | Dr. Venkman | Umberto Rispoli | Mark Glatt | Ghostzapper × Theory of Change | 4/1 |
| 2 | Speed Boat Beach | Juan Hernandez | Bob Baffert | Bayern × Sophia Mia | 5/2 |
| 3 | Spirit of Makena | Mirco Demuro | George Papaprodromou | Ghostzapper × Win for M’lou | 20/1 |
| 4 | Maymun | Kazushi Kimura | Bob Baffert | Frosted × Handwoven | 5/1 |
| 5 | Awesome Rhythm | Armando Ayuso | Victor Garcia | First Samurai × Heavenly Candy | 20/1 |
| 6 | Stronghold | Antonio Fresu | Philip D’Amato | Ghostzapper × Spectator | 3/1 |
| 7 | Express Train | Hector Berrios | John Shirreffs | Union Rags × I’m a Flake | 12/1 |
| 8 | Tapalo | Abel Lezcano | John Sadler | Tapiture × Agent Romanoff | 12/1 |
| 9 | Man O Rose | Edwin Maldonado | Jeff Mullins | Stanford × Kathleen Rose | 8/1 |
Top Contenders & Betting Angles
Speed Boat Beach – The Comeback Rocket
Trainer: Bob Baffert has tightened the screws on this ultra-fast Bayern colt after a long layoff.
Pedigree: Bayern progeny excel in sprint distances with explosive early speed.
Form: Track record holder at Del Mar (5½f in 1:01.86); returning after injury-plagued 2024.
Betting Insight: If fit, he’s the one to catch. Top win candidate with pace advantage.
Stronghold – The Million-Dollar Grinder
Trainer: Phil D’Amato’s Ghostzapper colt has banked over $1.1 million and thrives at middle distances.
Pedigree: Ghostzapper × Spectator offers stamina and class.
Form: Multiple graded stakes winner; fresh off a seven-month layoff.
Betting Insight: Tactical speed and proven class make him a serious threat.
Dr. Venkman – The Consistent Closer
Trainer: Mark Glatt’s gelding has hit the board in five of his last six starts.
Pedigree: Ghostzapper × Theory of Change suggests late kick and route versatility.
Form: Fourth in the Bing Crosby Stakes (G1); needs a clean trip.
Betting Insight: Ideal for exacta and trifecta builds.
Longshots with Upside
Maymun: Baffert’s Frosted colt is lightly raced but unbeaten; mystery horse with upside.
Man O Rose: Stanford gelding with tactical speed; second in stakes company last fall.
Express Train: Veteran Union Rags horse with back class; needs pace to close into.
Tapalo: Tapiture ridgling with solid allowance form; could surprise with trip.
Awesome Rhythm: First Samurai gelding with recent win; faces class test.
Spirit of Makena: Ghostzapper veteran; best used underneath in superfectas.
Expect a blistering pace from Speed Boat Beach, with Stronghold and Dr. Venkman poised to pounce late. Maymun and Man O Rose offer value underneath, especially if the favorite falters. Bettors should monitor track bias and late odds shifts for sharper positioning.
