The Test Score jockey, known for competing mostly in East Coast derbies, traveled west with trainer Graham Motion to participate in the 1 1/8-mile Grade 1, $300,000 Hollywood Derby on turf. This race is part of the FanDuel Racing Turf Festival, concluding the weekend at Del Mar.
Test Score finished last in the Grade 2 Twilight Derby at Santa Anita on October 25 but placed fourth in the 1 3/16-mile Grade 3 Nash Builder Derby at Kentucky Downs in August. Earlier that month, he narrowly missed his second Grade 1 win, finishing third by half a length at the Saratoga Derby Invitational. The Lookin’ at Lucky colt earned his first Grade 1 victory by a length and a quarter in the 1 1/8-mile Belmont Derby at Saratoga. Bred by billionaire Ammerman Racing, Test Score has a record of 11 starts with 4 wins, 3 seconds, and 2 thirds, accumulating $1,448,525 in earnings, and will be ridden by Juan Hernandez.
Tempus Volat, who won the Let It Ride Stakes at Del Mar on October 30, seeks jockey Leonard Powell’s first major win. This was the horse’s first victory at a special weight race on August 30, in his second start after moving from the Asmussen stable to Gate to Wire. After that, he competed in an optional claiming race, finishing third behind Martz, another Hollywood Derby entrant. Tempus Volat has consistently placed in the top three in his last four one-mile starts and is owned by Sondereker Racing. The horse’s record stands at 6 starts with 2 wins, 1 second, 2 thirds, and earnings of $142,058, and Mirco DeMuro will be the usual jockey.
Friendly Confines, the runner-up in the Let It Ride Stakes, aims to build on trainer Richard Baltas’ strong record of 5 wins, 2 losses, 2 seconds, and no thirds. This will be Friendly Confines’ debut at the 1 1/8-mile distance, with new jockey Hector I. Berrios seeking his first stakes victory. Purchased for $82,000 at the Keeneland September Yearling sale, the horse is partly owned by trainers John Ford Racing, Debbie Baltas, and Vivien Leigh.
The nine entries, listed by post position, are: Mars with Ricardo Gonzalez (122 lbs), Friendly Confines with Hector I. Berrios (122 lbs), Test Score with Juan Hernandez (122 lbs), Salamis with Humberto Rispoli (122 lbs), Kokosan with Armando Ayuso (122 lbs), Nobel Confessor with John Velasquez (122 lbs), Kopp with Kazushi Kimura (122 lbs), Tempus Volat with Mirco DeMuro (122 lbs), and Tom’s Magic with Antonio Fres (122 lbs).
The first race card posting is at 11:30 a.m., with gates opening at 10:30 a.m. The Hollywood Derby is the ninth race of the day, with an expected post time around 3:30 p.m.
This report was initially published by The Paulick Report on November 24, 2025, in the News section.
Fan Take: This event highlights top turf talent from both coasts, showcasing the sport’s depth and competitive spirit. For horse racing fans, the Hollywood Derby offers a thrilling preview of rising stars and seasoned contenders, potentially shaping future championship narratives in turf racing.
