Del Mar's 'Turf Festival' drawing coast-to-coast interest

Del Mar will close its fall meet Thanksgiving weekend with a feast of seven graded stakes on turf that is attracting interest from stable’s coast to coast.

The four-day “Turf Festival” at Del Mar is highlighted by a pair of Grade 1s, the Hollywood Derby and Matriarch Stakes each worth $300,000; and the Grade 2, $200,000 Hollywood Turf Cup for 3-year-olds and up.

According to the Del Mar racing office, several high-profile barns from out of state are planning to ship horses to compete.

In the Hollywood Derby, trainer Christophe Clement is considering pair of Grade 1 winners in Decorated Invader and Gufo, as well as Shamrocket. Bye Bye Melvin, who won the Saranac (G3) in New York earlier this year, is possible for trainer Graham Motion; and Grade 2 winner Fancy Liquor is possible to make the trip for Mike Maker.

Pixelate, who shipped west for trainer Michael Stidham and won the Del Mar Derby (G2) in September, could make the return trip for the Hollywood Derby. Additionally, Del Mar officials report Eclipse Award-winning trainer Chad Brown has multiple sophomores under consideration. 

Two local contender of note for the Nov. 28 Hollywood Derby are Smooth Like Strait and Storm the Court, last year’s champion 2-year-old male who has not raced since finishing sixth in the Sept. 5 Kentucky Derby. He has one previous start on grass -- a second behind Smooth Like Strait in the La Jolla (G2) this summer at Del Mar.

The supporting stakes on the Hollywood Derby program are the $200,000 Seabiscuit Handicap (G2) at 1 1/16 miles and $100,000 Jimmy Durante (G3) for 2-year-old fillies going a flat mile.

On Sunday, Nov. 29, the one-mile Matriarch for fillies and mares will take center stage.

Among the eastern invaders under consideration are Sharing, last year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Fillies winner who exits a win in the Sept. 24 Edgewood (G2) at Churchill Downs for Motion; and for Brown, multiple Grade 1 winner Newspaperofrecord, the 2018 BC Juvenile Turf Fillies victress.

The Matron program will also include the $100,000 Cecil B. DeMille for 2-year-olds going a flat mile.

Del Mar's Turf Festival kicks off on Thanksgiving with the $100,000 Red Carpet (G3) for fillies and mares going 1 3/8 miles and continues the following day with the Hollywood Turf Cup.

Among those expected to make the trip west for the 1 1/2-miles Hollywood Turf Cup are a trio of Grade 1 winners in Arklow, Aquaphobia and Say the Word, who exits a win in the Northern Dancer Turf (G1) at Woodbine for trainer Gail Cox. In addition to Aquaphobia, Maker is also considering Big Agenda

Among the local contenders possible for the Hollywood Turf Cup is Red King, who won the Del Mar Handicap (G2) for trainer Phil D'Amato prior to running ninth in the Breeders' Cup Turf; and Acclimate, who has not started since finishing off the board in last year's Breeders' Cup Turf for D'Amato.