DEL MAR, Calif. -- There are many stakes races around the country named after worthy runners. Today’s The The Chosen Vron Stakes (yes, The The), a 7 furlong sprint for Cal-breds which will serve as today’s 8th race at Del Mar, is named for such a horse.
The Chosen Vron, a Cal-bred son of Vronsky born in 2018, went on to win 19 of his 25 career starts. He reached the summit of Southern California racing when he won the 2023 and 2024 runnings of the Grade 1 Bing Crosby, also at Del Mar. He’s by far trainer Eric Kruljac’s best runner, earning over a $1,000,000 more in his career than the next closest trainee.
As a gelding, we’ll never get to meet The Chosen Vron’s progyny. We’ll have to settle for race replays, of which there are almost two dozen great races. He was a tribute to the California breeding program, and a worthy fan-favorite in San Diego.
Today’s field has a rising star in the Cal-bred ranks - but one who will have to start winning a bunch more to ever approach Vron’s level. Let’s meet the field, and put together our weekly wager.
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The The Chosen Vron Stakes. 7 Furlongs, Dirt. Cal-breds, 3+up. $100,000.
1. Shea Brennan. 3/1. Jockey: Armando Ayuso. Trainer: Phil D’Amato.
Shea Brennan comes in out of the California Flag Handicap, a Cal-bred race down the hill at Santa Anita. He showed well in that one, and won a high level sprint dirt allowance at today’s distance the race before, at Del Mar. That was at 6 ½ furlongs, so the 7 shouldn’t be an issue; these are top connections, and he should break well enough from the gate to overcome the rail draw.
Comment: contender.
2. Clovisconnection. 7/2. Jockey: Juan Hernandez. Trainer: Blaine Wright.
Clovisconnection has been running in Washington State most recently, in the stakes program at Emerald Downs outside of Seattle. He has had a nice year, earning $86,000 in purse money, but has only visited the winner’s circle once. He can win here, but he’ll have to be better than he has been in 2025. Booking Hernandez is an obvious positive, but I think he’s simply a step slow in this company.
Comment: prove-it race; toss.
3. R Heisman. 12/1. Jockey: Antonio Fresu. Trainer: Peter Miller.
R Heisman has yet to win in 2025, but has also yet to run at Del Mar, where he won last year in a dirt sprint stakes. His 2025 form has not flattered; he’ll have to be considerably better if he is to win in this spot. Trainer Peter Miller has been working him at Del Mar to prepare for today, and his work on October 22 indicates he can at least keep pace here; I’ll let him be me.
Comment: toss.
4. Drop Um. 12/1. Jockey: Kyle Frey. Trainer: Felix Rondan.
The previous 7 furlong Cal-bred stakes at Del Mar was the Real Good Deal in August, in which Drop Um ran a good 3rd. He hits the board in this company, and should do the same today. I love him at 12/1, especially alongside R Heisman. Easily the most-likely longshot in this one.
Comment: live longshot.
5. Man O Rose. 8/5. Jockey: Edwin Maldonado. Trainer: Jeff Mullins.
Man O Rose is the latest splash on the Cal-bred scene, coming into his own in 2025 as a 5-year-old. He has most recently won the aforementioned California Flag Handicap, a turf sprint down the hill at Santa Anita. Prior to that, he won the EB Johnston, a two-turn, one mile dirt race at Los Alamitos. Simply said: his form travels, and he should win today if he brings it.
Comment: most likely winner.
6. Stamp My Passport. 10/1. Jockey: Diego Herrera. Trainer: Leonard Powell.
Stamp My Passport is a 3 time winner on dirt, hitting the trifecta in 6 of 8 lifetime starts. This is his first ever run at 7 furlongs, as he has run almost exclusively at a mile leading in. Trainer Leonard Powell has a solid track record going from route to sprint, so think about Passport in your exactas and tris.
Comment: can hit the board.
7. Style Cat. 6/1. Jockey: Umberto Rispoli. Trainer: Peter Miller.
Style Cat was also in the Real Good Deal, finishing 4th. Prior to that, however, he won the 6 ½ furlong Echo Eddie at Santa Anita, amongst similar company to this race. He’s shows an ability to win these types of races, but I’m not sure trainer Peter Miller quite knows what he has, as he has tried him on dirt, turf, sprinting, and routing. This spot can work, as we saw at Santa Anita. I’ll play against today, as I don’t think Rispoli’s riding style fits in this spot.
Comment: toss.
The Sporting Tribune Wager:
$3 Late Pick 3, Starts Race 7: 2,6 / 1,4,5 / 1,2,4,9 ($72). Good Luck!