Holmby, who captured the Grade 3 Sorrento Stakes at Del Mar in August during just her second race, is set to make her first start over two turns this Saturday in the Grade 2, $200,000 Oak Leaf Stakes at Santa Anita Park. Trained by Hall of Famer Bob Baffert and competing in a race for 2-year-old fillies, Holmby’s victory here would grant her a fully paid entry to the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies on October 30 at Keeneland, as part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge series.
A daughter of the 2021 champion 2-year-old colt Corniche, Holmby won her debut at Del Mar in July, then followed with a narrow six-furlong win at the Sorrento a month later. In the Grade 1 Del Mar Debutante on September 5, stretching out to seven furlongs, she stayed close to the leaders but ultimately finished third behind impressive winner Miss Monica. Holmby is owned by By Talla Racing and will be ridden by jockey Ricky Gonzalez.
Trainer Michael McCarthy will saddle Free Closer, who placed fourth in the Debutante. This California-bred filly by Pavel, owned by Reddam Racing, dominated the CTBA Stakes for state-breds at Del Mar on August 2 with an 8 ¼-length win over 5 ½ furlongs. Joel Rosario will be aboard for the first time.
Baffert will also enter Quattro Passi and Deluge. Quattro Passi, a Girvin filly purchased for $190,000 at the 2025 Keeneland September yearling sale by Debbie Lanni, won her six-furlong second start at Del Mar by a commanding 9 ¼ lengths on September 6, with regular rider Mike Smith set to ride again. Deluge, sired by Maximus Mischief, broke her maiden at Del Mar over five furlongs on turf on August 28. Purchased for $280,000 earlier this year and also owned by By Talla Racing, Deluge will have Juan Hernandez in the saddle.
The Oak Leaf Stakes is also a designated event on the Road to the 2027 Kentucky Oaks, offering qualifying points to contenders.
G2 Oak Leaf Stakes — Jockeys and Weights by Post Position
- Quattro Passi — Mike Smith — 122 lbs
- Holmby — Ricky Gonzalez — 122 lbs
- Domain Expansion — Adrian Escobedo — 122 lbs
- Free Closer — Joel Rosario — 122 lbs
- Janie Not Jeanie — Kazushi Kimura — 122 lbs
- Deluge — Juan Hernandez — 122 lbs
Racing begins at 1 p.m. PT on Saturday.
This report was initially published by Paulick Report on September 28, 2026, in their News section.
Fan Take: This upcoming Oak Leaf Stakes race is a thrilling spotlight on emerging 2-year-old fillies and sets the stage for the next generation of star runners. For horse racing fans, it offers a sneak peek into future Breeders’ Cup competitors, keeping the sport vibrant and exciting as new talent challenges established names.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
