Grade 2 San Clemente Stakes| Del Mar | Race 9 | July 19


1. Will Then (4-1) Jockey: Mike Smith | Trainer: Jonathan Thomas


Will Then has been in excellent form for trainer Jonathan Thomas and Augustin Stables. She won the Grade 3 Jimmy Durante Stakes at Del Mar in November 2024, scoring by 2 ¼ lengths over Amorita at 10-1 odds. She followed that up with an impressive victory in the China Doll Stakes, defeating another rival, Casalu, at Santa Anita this past March. Will Then did not run well in her most challenging test of her career, a 5th place finish in the Grade 2 Edgewood at Churchill Downs on May 2. She had a bullet work (1/35) on the turf course going 4 furlongs in 48.6 seconds on July 12. The daughter of War of Will has demonstrated tactical speed and versatility, making her a formidable contender. Top Choice.


2. Casalu (6-1) Jockey: Kazushi Kimura | Trainer: Bob Baffert


This bay filly has demonstrated good tactical speed and should be positioned near the front from the beginning. Casalu is 6-for-8 in the money with three career wins, both in listed stakes events. Kimura has been riding confidently at Del Mar and is familiar with this filly, having achieved one win, two second-place finishes, and one third-place finish while riding her. This will be her first start since February, but she has completed 12 workouts without significant gaps. Her consistent performance in graded stakes company makes her a serious threat. Win Contender.


3. Miso Phansy (12-1) Jockey: Armando Ayuso | Trainer: Leonard Powell


Her most recent start was in the Grade 3 Honeymoon Stakes at Santa Anita in May, where the horse finished 2nd out of six competitors by a nose. Miso Phansy settled at the back of the pack early on and made a sustained rally in the stretch, ultimately finishing just a nose behind Firenze Flavor in a thrilling three-way photo finish. She likes to come in second, having done so 4 times with two victories in six starts. Has consistently shown the ability to close strongly from off the pace. Improving speed figures in three straight races, along with sharp morning works. Live Longshot.


4. As Catch Can (10-1) Jockey: Vincent Cheminaud | Trainer: Jonathan Thomas


As Catch Can has developed into a consistent stakes performer in 2025, with her last three turf routes yielding two runner-up finishes and a nose defeat in Grade 3 company. She likes to settle within striking range before a sustained late run. All top efforts have come on grass; progressive improvement when moving up from sprints to routes. Hits the board in 7 of 9 career starts; sharp late kick in Grade 3 company. Her potential is real, but facing a pace and class jump makes her first start at Del Mar challenging. Toss.


5. Thought Process (8-5) Jockey: Hector Berrios | Trainer: Philip D’Amato


Thought Process broke her maiden in her first turf try at one mile on August 17, 2024, followed up with wins in the Del Mar Juvenile Fillies Turf on September 7 and the Grade 3 Surfer Girl Stakes on October 6. With a record of 4-for-6 lifetime and 2-for-3 at Del Mar, she's demonstrated strong ability, especially going eight furlongs. Her 2025 debut was impressive, winning an allowance race at Santa Anita on June 14 by 5 ¾ lengths on firm turf. With tactical speed and the skill of top turf rider Berrios, she's a strong contender in Saturday's one-mile turf event. The only concern is her unexpected 9th-place finish despite leading in the stretch during the Breeders' Cup Juvenile last year. The One to Beat.


6. Amorita (10-1) Jockey: Juan Hernandez | Trainer: Richard Mandella


Amorita has shown impressive consistency with seven starts, achieving two wins and two places. She was a narrow runner-up in the Grade 3 Senorita, getting caught late at 6 1/2 furlongs by Jungle Peace. Amorita finished second in the Senorita Stakes, showing consistent form against quality opposition. Her pedigree and previous win at a mile at Santa Anita suggest she will finish strong. Amorita returns to the track where she broke her maiden last November. Juan Hernandez is the defending Del Mar leading rider with 46 wins in 2024, marking his sixth jockey title at the seaside track. Live Longshot.


7. Jungle Peace (8-1) Jockey: Antonio Fresu | Trainer: Philip D’Amato


Another D'Amato runner with the breeding and connections to hit the board. Irish-bred fillies have excelled in this race historically, and D'Amato's record with European imports is exceptional. Jungle Peace should be on or near the lead with a clean start. She's 2-for-2 on a soft turf course (Del Mar plays on the softer side) and D'Amato is a savant with sophomore turf fillies. Antonio Fresu has been among the top jockeys at Del Mar and finished third in the 2024 standings. Jungle Peace finished third in a three-way photo, losing by a head in the Grade 3 Honeymoon Stakes on May 18. Live Longshot.  


8. Firenze Flavor (12-1) Jockey: Drayden Van Dyke | Trainer: Patrick Gallagher


She has won three out of four races this year, including two in a row, with a Grade 3 victory in the Honeymoon, winning a three-way photo. I am concerned that she has won two in a row despite a 10-point decline in speed figures. That’s usually a bad sign. Firenze Flavor finished a non-competitive 5th in her maiden debut at Del Mar last November. Toss.


9. Silent Law (10-1) Jockey: Mirco Demuro | Trainer: Bob Baffert


This 3-year-old filly by Tiz the Law has displayed significant early speed in her dirt starts, making her an interesting candidate for a turf debut in the Grade 2 San Clemente Stakes. She finished second in her most recent race on April 5 at the Grade 2 Santa Anita Oaks. Silent Law led the competition, setting the early pace, but was caught late by her stablemate Tenma. This horse, purchased for $400,000 from the OBS training sale by CSLR Racing Partners, LLC, is set to make her first career start on turf. The quality of the thoroughbreds she's been running with is worlds below this field. Posts 9-12 have a 5% win rate at 8 to 8.5 furlongs on this turf course. Use Underneath.


Jeff's Selection


1. Will Then (4-1) Win-Place-Show


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