Older fillies and mares will get their chance to earn grade 1 status and an expenses-paid spot in the Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1) in the Clement L. Hirsch Stakes Aug. 2 at Del Mar. The Clement L. Hirsch, a Breeders' Cup Challenge Series: Win and You're In event, drew a field of seven, including three from the barn of Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert.
1. Seismic Beauty: Will try to give Baffert a third straight win in this stakes. Never worse than third in six starts, she won her last two tries by a combined margin of 15 lengths. The topper was a five-length win in Santa Margarita Stakes (G2) May 25. She has elite speed and will be tough to beat if she can duplicate her latest effort.
Jockey: Juan Hernandez; Trainer: Bob Baffert
2. Royal Spa: Heads west after finishing second to 2024 Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna in the Fleur de Lis Stakes (G2). She won the Shawnee Stakes (G3) before that and looks like the main rival to Seismic Beauty.
Jockey: Hector Berrios; Trainer: Rodolphe Brisset
3. Mahina: Has been racing on turf and is winless in three starts on dirt. Seems like an unlikely spot to get that initial dirt win.
Jockey: Mike Smith; Trainer: Patrick Gallagher
4. Nothing Like You: Hasn't raced in 10 months and is winless since April 2024. Looks more like a prep for another race as opposed to a winnable spot.
Jockey: Drayden Van Dyke; Trainer: Bob Baffert
5. Richi: Won the Santa Maria Stakes (G2) for Baffert back in April and seems a major player here. She also has plenty of speed which could lead to an interesting pace scenario up front among the two Baffert stablemates.
Jockey: Antonio Fresu; Trainer: Bob Baffert
6. Little Hidden Port: Makes her United States debut after posting a group 2 win in Argentina back in December. Maybe next time.
Jockey: Armando Ayuso; Trainer: John Sadler
7. Kopion: A top West Coast sprinter, she will stretch out here and try to win at more than seven furlongs for the first time. Comes off a disappointing second as the 1-5 favorite in the Great Lady M Stakes (G2) at Los Alamitos Race Course but was highly impressive before that. The distance holds the key to her chances. Can she chase Baffert's fillies and still have a strong closing kick? We'll see.
Jockey: Kazushi Kimura; Trainer: Richard Mandella
THE PICK: Seismic Beauty
LIVE LONGSHOT: Richi
SUPERFECTA: 1-2-7-5
