The ultra-consistent filly Medoro returns to racing following a layoff of nearly seven months in Sunday’s $100,000 Osunitas Stakes for fillies and mares at a mile on turf at Del Mar.
Judging from her career record, and performances in previous comebacks, Medoro is easy to like as one of 10 stakes winners in a field of 12.
“I couldn’t be any happier with the way she’s going,” trainer Peter Eurton said. “I’m very pleased, put it that way.”
Medoro, who races for Lee and Susan Searing’s CRK Stable, won three consecutive stakes in late 2023 and early 2024. While beaten in her last four starts, all graded stakes, she has never been worse than third in her eight-race career.
The Osunitas Stakes will be Medoro’s first start since a third-place finish in the Grade 1 American Oaks at 1 1/4 miles on turf for 3-year-old fillies at Santa Anita on Dec. 26. Medoro was beaten 3 3/4 lengths by She Feels Pretty, who won the Grade 1 New York Handicap at Saratoga on June 6, and was beaten a head when second in the Grade 1 Diana Stakes there on July 12.
Medoro is a stalker, which could be an ideal trip in the Osunitas if stakes winners such as Grand Slam Smile or Lunar Impact take their expected positions near the front.
The favorite will be Queen Maxima, who has won her last five starts in turf sprints, including three stakes at Santa Anita and Churchill Downs since late February.
Expectations are high for Medoro.
“I think she will be more forwardly-placed than behind,” Eurton said.
“She’s fit enough to win with the right trip. She will be fresh and hopefully we can maneuver a spot to save some ground.”
Through Thursday, Eurton had 28 wins this year, within range of his career-best result of 56 wins in 2023. Eurton has approximately 75 horses in training – 35 in Kentucky and 40 at Del Mar.
The Kentucky team has been an increased focus of attention in the last year. Eurton expects that division to be active in the final months of 2025.
“We’re starting to get some 2-year-olds ready and some 3-year-olds ready to run,” he said. “We’re hoping that the latter quarter of the year in Kentucky will be beneficial.”
In the short term at Del Mar, Eurton plans to start Tarantino in the Grade 2 San Diego Handicap at 1 1/16 miles on July 26 and Stay Hot in the Grade 2 Eddie Read Stakes at 1 1/8 miles on turf on July 27.
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