Local contenders Ag Barrett and Medlo are set to face off against eastern rivals In Our Time and Ozara in the $300,000 Grade 1 Matriarch Stakes, a race for fillies and mares aged three and up, held over a mile on the turf at Del Mar. This prestigious event is part of the FanDuel Racing Turf Festival taking place on closing day at the beachfront racetrack just north of San Diego, California.
Ag Barrett, fresh off a second-place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint on November 1, has shown consistent improvement over his last four sprint races. His last Matriarch appearance was last year when he finished third by a length on December 1. After a five-month hiatus, he returned in the Grade 3 Unbridled Sidney at Churchill Downs, placing seventh over 5 1/2 furlongs. Subsequently, Ag Barrett returned to sprints with notable success, capturing graded wins including the Grade 1 Jaipur Stakes at Saratoga and the Grade 2 Lady Turf Sprint at Keeneland.
Ag Barrett is a five-year-old filly by Twirling Candy, trained by Richard Baltas for owners Calvin Nguyen and Joey Tran. Her career record stands at 16 wins, 8 losses, 1 second, and 2 thirds, with earnings totaling $2,941,228. John Velasquez, who rode her to victory at Jaipur, will be her jockey.
Medlo, a strong four-year-old from Peter Urton’s stable, has never finished worse than third in any race. After an impressive winning streak including victories over Blue Noser, China Doll, and the Grade 3 Providencia Stakes at Santa Anita, Medlo moved up to stakes level. She continued her success by winning the Osnitas Stakes at Del Mar on July 20. Her latest outing was a third-place finish by 1 1/2 lengths in the Grade 3 Gordikova Stakes on November 1. Owned by CRK Stables LLC, Medlo boasts a record of 11 wins, 5 losses, 3 seconds, and 3 thirds and has earned $502,600. Umberto Rispoli will be in the saddle for this race.
Heading west from Florida for trainer Saffie Joseph Jr., In Our Time, a speedy daughter of Not This Time, has raced in her last four outings for Resolute Racing and Miller Racing Inc. She seeks her first stakes victory while competing in top company. On January 25, she placed third in the Grade 2 Pegasus World Cup Filly and Mare Turf Invitational, leading initially but ultimately coming up short to Be Your Best. More recently, on August 30, In Our Time finished third in the Grade 3 Resolute Racing Ladies Turf Sprint, 3 1/4 lengths behind stakes winner Special One. Javier Castellano will ride her, replacing her previous jockey.
The Matriarch Stakes lineup by post position and jockey includes:
1. Medlo – Umberto Rispoli
2. Breath Away – Kazushi Kimura
3. Antiphona – Armando Ayuso
4. Vives – Hector Berrios
5. Spicy Bug – Ricardo Gonzalez
6. Ozara – Antonio Fres
7. Heredia – Juan Hernandez
8. Ag Barrett – John Velasquez
9. Segesta – Flavien Prat
10. In Our Time – Javier Castellano
All participants carry 123 pounds. The Matriarch Stakes is scheduled as the seventh race of the nine-event closing day card, with post time at 3:30 p.m. PT.
Fan Take: This race highlights some of the most competitive fillies and mares from both coasts, showcasing top talent and intense rivalries that keep the sport thrilling. The outcome could significantly impact horse rankings and fan excitement heading into the next racing season, proving once again why the Matriarch Stakes is a must-watch event for turf enthusiasts.
