California is home to some of the nation’s most prestigious horse races. It has a rich racing calendar that stretches year-round, including marquee events like the Santa Anita Derby, Santa Anita Handicap, and Pacific Classic. These races are staged at legendary venues like Santa Anita Park, Del Mar, and Los Alamitos, which have hosted champions for decades and remain pillars of the national racing scene in the United States.
Recently, the state has also showcased horses that have defined the current season and set the tone for the months ahead. Check them out here:
Journalism
Journalism became one of the greatest 3-year-olds of our time. He has always been in daily horse racing picks for his wins in the Santa Anita Derby and Preakness Stakes, runner-up place finishes in the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes, and a gallant attempt against Fierceness in the Pacific Classic. This campaign gave him a consistent record at the top level, earning close to $4 million and making him one of the West Coast’s faces.
Looking ahead, his connections are deciding whether to keep testing him on traditional distances like 1 1⁄4 miles, where he has already demonstrated endurance and toughness. They are also considering retooling his campaign towards particular Grade 1 goals in California at Santa Anita and Del Mar. Much will hinge on how he competes against the likes of elder star Fierceness, who already demonstrated a formidable opponent at Del Mar.
Fierceness
As mentioned, Fierceness is one of Journalism’s rivals. Fierceness provided one of the most memorable rides of his life on August 30, 2025, when he battled through adversity to win the GI Pacific Classic at Del Mar. He came close to ruining his own chances when he veered sharply into the makeshift rail at the start, risking to throw out jockey John Velázquez. He was pinched in and landed last early, as Journalism and others took the pace.
But Fierceness bided his time, discovered his route between competitors in the middle turn, and burst clear in the lane to prevail by 3 1⁄4 lengths in a 2:01.00. His owners praised the ride and the grit, adding that Velázquez “saved ground behind the leaders” and made the difficult trip to full advantage. The victory secured his route to the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Del Mar in November, making him a West Coast favorite to top the fall championship day.
Reef Runner
Reef Runner broke first at the wire in the Green Flash Handicap at Del Mar but was subsequently disqualified for clinging to another runner, a disappointment that might have derailed his momentum. Instead, his team took a bold action, calling on jockey Rafael Bejarano to pilot him. The switch proved fruitful as Bejarano rode him to a tough debut win in the Eddie D Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita. This effort redeemed the previous DQ and restored Reef Runner to contender status for top-level stakes competition.
Reef Runner’s Eddie D triumph has made him a serious player for the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at Del Mar in November 2025, a race that could elevate him from reliable allowance and minor stakes winner to national recognition. With six wins, five seconds, and five thirds from 20 career starts, he has built a profile of consistency. The rider switch to Bejarano seems to have sharpened his finishing kick, fueling optimism for his clash with the country’s best turf sprinters.
Seismic Beauty
Seismic Beauty wired to win the Grade 1 Clement L. Hirsch Stakes at Del Mar, beating Kopion 1 1⁄2 lengths in 1:42.33. Going off sharply on the rail for Juan Hernandez, she set a moderate pace with :22.85 and :46.63 before holding off late runners. The victory secured her a coveted “Win and You’re In” berth to the Breeders’ Cup Distaff and marked her first Grade 1 triumph, complementing her earlier 2025 win in the G2 Santa Margarita Stakes.
Heading into late 2025, Seismic Beauty is riding a three-race win streak, and her front-running style has become a hallmark — she has now won four career races by leading gate to wire. Her record after Hirsch stood at 7 starts: 4 wins, 2 seconds, 1 third, with earnings of $476,840. Analysts note that she’s still maturing physically, and her pedigree (by Uncle Mo out of Knarsdale by Medaglia d’Oro) offers both speed and some stamina.
More Stories to Follow
This list of standout California winners is not complete. There will be many more names coming up in the next few months at the state’s top tracks, building new depth into an already rich racing season. Be on the lookout for significant races at the Santa Anita Autumn Meet (Sept. 24 – Oct. 28, 2025), the Del Mar Fall Meet (Oct. 29 – Dec. 2, 2025), the Los Alamitos Thoroughbred Meet (Dec. 3 – Dec. 16, 2025), and the Santa Anita Winter/Spring Meet (opening Dec. 26, 2025). Stay tuned!
