Medoro Captures Osunitas Stakes Victory at Del Mar After Class Relief
Medoro found her winning moment Saturday at Del Mar, capturing the Listed Osunitas Stakes with an impressive late rally after competing regularly in graded company since last April.
The 4-year-old Honor Code filly, who had been twice placed at the elite level, secured a convincing 1 3/4-length victory under jockey Umberto Rispoli for trainer Peter Eurton and C R K Stable.
Medoro entered the Osunitas following a seven-month layoff since her third-place finish in the GI American Oaks on December 25 behind multiple Grade I winner She Feels Pretty (Karakontie {Jpn}) and Kathrynmarissa (American Pharoah). Her previous starts included a nose defeat in Santa Anita’s GIII Autumn Miss Stakes and a runner-up performance in the GI Del Mar Oaks last August.
Settling well off the early pace, the 5-2 second choice steadily improved her position as Grand Slam Smile (Smiling Tiger) set fractions of :23.05, :47.12, and 1:11.82 with Lunar Impact (GB) (Zoustar {Aus}) tracking closely.
[Spoiler Alert] As the field rounded the far turn, Medoro took the outside path while 3-2 favorite Queen Maxima (Bucchero) was guided to the rail. With a powerful late surge, Rispoli guided Medoro past Grand Slam Smile inside the final sixteenth. Grand Slam Smile gamely held second, with Lunar Impact securing third. Queen Maxima finished off the board after encountering traffic trouble along the inside.
The victory improved Medoro’s lifetime record to 5-2-2 from 9 starts with earnings of $416,600.
Medoro comes from an accomplished female family that includes GI Kentucky Derby winner Giacomo (Holy Bull) and his half-brother, multiple Grade I winner Tiago (Pleasant Tap). Her immediate family also features graded stakes winner and multiple Grade I-placed Stanwyck (Empire Maker) and Sea Jewel (Sea Hero), both half-sisters to Giacomo who earned graded black type.
The winner’s dam, Achira (English Channel), was multiple stakes-placed with earnings of $151,852. Medoro represents her first runner and most accomplished offspring to date. Achira has since produced a juvenile filly named We All Love Harper (Honor A.P.) and a 2025 colt by Not This Time.
Grand Slam Smile, at odds of 23-1, finished second for owners Larry & Marianne Williams and trainer Sean McCarthy. Lunar Impact completed the trifecta at 6-1 for trainer Dan Blacker.
The final time for the one-mile turf contest was 1:34.88 over firm ground.
#9 MEDORO ($7.60) comes off a layoff with @umbyrispoli up to win the $100,000 Osunitas Stakes at @DelMarRacing for trainer Peter Eurton and owner @StablesCrk. pic.twitter.com/tjQML3Vz75
— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing)
#9 MEDORO ($7.60) comes off a layoff with July 21, 2025
