Uncover the Stars of the Del Mar Turf Festival

Out-of-State Invaders

Forever After All, arriving at Del Mar from the Brendan Walsh barn, made a strong showing in the Dowager (G3) at Keeneland last month. Finishing second to a top-notch filly, this mare demonstrated her potential and is now looking to secure a stakes win. She has already competed on the West Coast before, finishing third in the Gamely (G1) at Santa Anita in May. With her experience and talent, she is a force to be reckoned with.

Marksman Queen, another well-traveled filly from the Graham Motion barn, has shown promise in her races. Although she doesn't have the same stakes experience as Forever After All, she ran a close second in a second-level allowance race at Keeneland last out. Her breeding suggests that she is well-suited for long distances, and this race could be the perfect opportunity for her to shine.

Local Contenders

Moment’s Pleasure, the winner of the $150,000 Solana Beach at Del Mar this summer, is a local favorite. With four starts at the seaside oval and never finishing worse than second, she seems to have a natural affinity for the course. However, her trainer, Craig Lewis, remains cautious, stating that she just had a couple of rough trips in the last couple at Santa Anita. But with her ability and determination, she is still a strong contender.

Mrs. Astor, an invader from the Jonathan Thomas barn, has also made her way to Del Mar. After finally breaking out in her sixth try at entry level allowance company and winning at Colonial Downs in September, she is now looking to build on that success in the Red Carpet. With her East Coast experience and recent win, she could be a dark horse in the field.

The Red Carpet itself has a rich history. Running for the 59th time, it was formerly the Beverly Hills Handicap when it was run at Hollywood Park. As the seventh race on the nine-race Sunday card, with a probable post time of 6:30 p.m. EST, it is sure to be a thrilling event. The eight fillies and mares vying for the top spot will showcase their skills and determination on the turf.

Each of these horses brings something unique to the table. From the out-of-state invaders with their impressive track records to the local contenders with their home-court advantage, the Del Mar turf festival is set to be a memorable event. Spectators can expect to see some of the best horses in the country competing for glory, making it a must-see event for racing fans.