The Grade 1 Del Mar Oaks, scheduled for Sunday at the Seaside Track near San Diego, California, boasts a talented field of 11 three-year-old fillies competing over 1 1/8 miles on turf. Notable contenders include Lush Lips and Thought Process, both with strong records at Del Mar. Lush Lips, trained by Brendan Walsh and recently victorious in the Tepin Stakes with a career-best speed figure of 107, has shown consistent improvement after switching trainers and adding blinkers. Meanwhile, Thought Process has an impressive win rate, with seven victories from her career starts and solid performances on Del Mar turf, including a recent win at the G2 San Clemente Handicap.
Other notable fillies in the race include Casar, who has consistently finished in the top four in all nine career starts for trainer Bob Baffert, and Firenze Flavor, who won the G3 Honeymoon Stakes earlier this year. The race also features Irish-bred Mari’s Edge, MISO PHANSY, Solve, and British-bred Exhale, all with competitive speed figures. The Del Mar Oaks carries a $300,000 purse and serves as a key early test for young turf fillies aiming to establish their dominance.
Key contenders based on their performances and speed figures are Lush Lips, Thought Process, and Casar, making them top picks for fans and bettors alike.
Fan Take: This lineup highlights the rising stars in female turf racing, with several fillies showing potential to shape the future of the sport. The Del Mar Oaks offers a thrilling preview of talent progression in turf racing and can significantly impact breeding and training strategies moving forward.
