For many years, the day following Christmas has been a significant date for horse racing fans in Southern California and nationwide, marking the traditional kickoff of the Santa Anita Winter Meet.
On the other hand, the day after Thanksgiving in Del Mar signals the start of the FanDuel Racing Turf Festival at the San Diego County waterfront track. This impressive event features a series of stakes races on the Jimmy Durante Turf Course from Friday through Sunday, concluding Del Mar’s fall racing season that began with the two-day Breeders’ Cup World Championship in late October.
Among the seven turf stakes, the main attractions are Saturday’s 1 1/8-mile Grade 1 Hollywood Derby for three-year-olds and Sunday’s 1-mile Grade 1 Matriarch Stakes for fillies and mares. Both races, previously held at Hollywood Park before it closed in 2013 to make way for a soccer stadium, have become key fixtures at Del Mar.
Established in 1938, the Hollywood Derby was originally a dirt race won by legends such as Swaps, Roundtable, and Affirmed. Since switching to turf in 1981, it has gained popularity, with memorable winners like California Chrome, who claimed his first Grade 1 win there in 2014 during his Horse of the Year season.
The Matriarch Stakes, initiated in 1981 at Hollywood Park’s fall meet debut, is a crucial late-year race for fillies and mares, boasting past champions like Royal Heroine and Flores. These Grade 1 races attract top contenders from across the US, with East Coast trainers dominating the Matriarch in recent years—though California-based trainers still pose a competitive threat.
Now, for an overview of the Turf Festival’s seven featured races:
Friday, November 28
- Grade 2 Hollywood Turf Cup, 1.5 miles (Race 7, 6:32 p.m. ET)
Truly Quality, the 5-2 favorite and defending champion, has mostly raced outside California but has proven tough to beat at Del Mar. Humberto Rispoli, though usually a top choice, rides Balnikov, who rebounded well from a recent tough outing. Other contenders include Baladia, who aims to win from the rail.
Saturday, November 29
Grade 2 Seabiscuit Handicap, 1 1/16 miles (Race 5, 4:32 p.m. ET)
Stay Hot, the morning favorite, faces a challenge from the outside post. Almendares is expected to perform well from the inside. Trainer Phil D’Amato has a strong track record here, winning five times since 2015.Grade 3 Jimmy Durante Stakes, 1 mile (Race 7, 5:32 p.m. ET)
This race features promising 2-year-old fillies like Special Wood, who impressed in France, and Just Aluf, a debut winner backed by jockey Hector Berrios. Irish-bred Yours Sincerely also seeks a clean trip to victory.Grade 1 Hollywood Derby, 1 1/8 miles (Race 9, 6:32 p.m. ET)
Test Score, winner of the Belmont Derby, is favored following a strong recent performance. Salamis replaces a Chad Brown entrant after an unlucky run at Keeneland, aiming to improve on his wide trip.
Sunday, November 30
- Grade 3 Cecil B. DeMille Stakes, 1 mile (Race 3, 4:30 p.m. ET)
Hey Ney Ney, having competed in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf, looks to rebound after an earlier wide trip. Protons is considered a main contender from the inside post. - Stormy Liberal Stakes, 5 furlongs (Race 5, 5:30 p.m. ET)
This race, first run in 2022, includes reigning champion Unconquerable Keene aiming for a third straight win. Others like Noney Hudson and Yellow Card bring speed and stakes experience to the contest. - Grade 1 Matriarch Stakes, 1 mile (Race 7, 6:30 p.m. ET)
Chad Brown, a dominant figure with 171 Grade 1 wins since 2011, brings Segesta, a strong tactical contender. Other top entries include Madison Clemens-trained Bless Away and Ozara, plus Graham Motion’s Heredia, last year’s G2 Yellow Ribbon Handicap winner. Local hopeful Ag Bullet aims to improve on last year’s effort.
This article first appeared in the Paulick Report on November 28, 2025.
Fan Take: The Turf Festival’s blend of historic significance and contemporary competition highlights why Del Mar remains a premier stage for turf racing in America. The event not only showcases emerging talent but also underscores the sport’s evolving landscape, promising thrilling moments for fans and sustained growth for horse racing.
