Led by the 2025 graded stakes winners Kopion, Richi, Royal Spa, and Seismic Beauty, Saturday’s Grade 1 Clement Hirsch Stakes for fillies and mares at Del Mar has a projected field of seven.
The $400,000 Hirsch Stakes, run at 1 1/16 miles, is the leading race for fillies and mare at the summer meeting. The winner receives a fees-paid berth to the Breeders’ Cup Distaff at Del Mar on Nov. 1.
Aside from the four current year graded stakes winners, other expected runners are Little Hidden Port, Nothing Like You, and Mahina.
Kopion, trained by Richard Mandella, won three consecutive graded stakes at seven furlongs from December to early May before finishing second in the Grade 2 Great Lady M. Stakes at 6 1/2 furlongs at Los Alamitos on July 5.
Seismic Beauty starts on the strength of a commanding win by five lengths in the Grade 2 Santa Margarita Stakes at 1 1/16 miles at Santa Anita on May 25.
Bob Baffert trains Nothing Like You, Richi and Seismic Beauty.
:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.