Del Mar Juvenile Turf Preview: Shadow Nation Favored in Graded Stakes Showdown

The $100,000 Del Mar Juvenile Turf (G3) headlines Saturday’s closing weekend card at Del Mar, featuring a Competitive Field Led by Shadow Nation, Observed in a 1-mile turf contest for 2-year-olds.

This race serves as a key local prep for upcoming two-year-old turf targets, including the prestigious Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1) at Keeneland on October 30th.

A field of nine 2-year-olds is entered, with most starters lightly raced and either stretching out for the first time or making their turf debuts. Notably, Dong Son was scratched and will compete instead in Sunday’s Del Mar Futurity (G1) on the dirt track.

Competitive Field Led by Shadow Nation, Observed

Let’s start with 20-1 longshot Cosmic Charlie, trained by Jeff Mullins. He’s a Bolt d’Oro colt owned by the same Tumanjan/Meathe group that campaigned 2024 winner Artislas. His lone start produced a third in a 5-furlong turf maiden five weeks ago. Judging by that performance, he looks like a stalker or mid-pack type who should appreciate the extra ground. Julien Leparoux rides.

Itinerary (8-1), trained by Michael McCarthy, is a Quality Road colt who debuted in a 1-mile turf maiden in mid-August and finished a troubled sixth.

McCarthy is strong with turf 2-year-olds, and while it’s hard to say how this one will run, it’s a good idea to expect him to avoid the early pace and reserve energy for a late kick under jockey Umberto Rispoli.

Observed (the 3-1 morning-line favorite), from the first crop of Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Mandaloun, broke his maiden at first asking at 7 ½ furlongs on the turf at Horseshoe Indianapolis for trainer Jonathan Thomas a month ago. His one start suggests a patient mid-pack early style, leaving enough gas in the tank for one run down the lane. Leading jockey Juan Hernandez rides.

Carla Gaines sends out the Cal-bred Golden Sentry (5-1), who won a 5½- furlong race over this course a month ago where he earned a strong speed figure in his 3 ¾-length triumph. He seems to be a mid-pack type who will wait for the pace to back up before launching his best run under jockey Kazushi Kimura.

Irish-bred Shadow Nation (5-2) is making his stakes debut after breaking his maiden by 6 ½ lengths at 5 furlongs on the turf first time out at Santa Anita for trainer Mike Puype. The son of Sioux Nation should appreciate the stretch out, and he’s likely to sit mid-pack early and make one run to the wire under jockey Joel Rosario.

Although trainer Bob Baffert is not known primarily for turf runners, he has had success in the division and hopes Hoaxer (4-1) will add to it. The Charlatan colt, owned by the Three Amigos partnership of Pegram, Watson, and Weitman, finished third in his lone start, a 5-furlong turf maiden at Del Mar 10 days ago. Baffert juveniles often show natural speed, so Hoaxer should be forwardly placed.

Off in the Corner (8-1) is a Karakontie colt for trainer Peter Miller and jockey Hector Barrios. In his only start, he scored in a 5-furlong turf maiden five weeks ago. This one showed some tactical speed and will likely sit off the early speed and press before rallying later.

Automatic Press (20-1) is Miller’s second runner and has five starts already in three states without a win. He’s another who will likely sit mid-pack or stalk early. Tyler Baze rides.

Cal-bred Missed Fortune (20-1) is a ridgling from the barn of George Papapadromou. This one looks like a longshot who may try to steal it on the front under jockey Edwin Maldonado.

Del Mar Juvenile Turf History

There was first the Oak Tree Juvenile Turf before moving to Del Mar, and it was upgraded to Grade 3 in 2022. It has produced several horses who later made noise at the highest level.

The most notable winner is probably Bowies Hero (2016), who went on to win the Kilroe Mile (G1) and Shadwell Turf Mile (G1).

Trainers Jeff Mullins and John Sadler each have three wins in this race. Juan Hernandez has two.

Post time is 7:33 p.m. ET.

The Picks: 1 Shadow Nation, 2 Hoaxer, 3 Golden Sentry

The Field for the $100,000 Del Mar Juvenile Turf (G2), from the rail out, with jockey, trainer, and odds:

| | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Odds |
|—|—|—|—|—|
| 1 | Cosmic Charlie | Julien Leparoux | Jeff Mullins | 20-1 |
| 2 | Itinerary | Umberto Rispoli | Michael McCarthy | 8-1 |
| 3 | Observed | Juan Hernandez | Jonathan Thomas | 3-1 |
| 4 | Golden Sentry | Kazushi Kimura | Carla Gaines | 5-1 |
| 5 | Shadow Nation | Joel Rosario | Michael Puype | 5-2 |
| 6 | Hoaxer | Ricardo Gonzalez | Bob Baffert | 4-1 |
| 7 | Off in the Corner | Hector Berrios | Peter Miller | 8-1 |
| 8 | Automatic Press | Armando Ayuso | Peter Miller | 20-1 |
| 9 | Missed Fortune | Edwin Maldonado | George Papaprodromou | 20-1 |

Last Updated on 09/03/2026

The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.

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