Today’s Thoroughbred Horse Racing News – September 5, 2025

Today’s North American thoroughbred action features a robust Friday card across several key tracks, including feature stakes at Del Mar and Gulfstream Park, twilight competition from Churchill Downs, and highlights from additional venues. This article covers key race results, notable equine stars competing today, and the major races shaping the racing landscape this weekend.

Feature Races and Results

Del Mar Thoroughbred Club

• The I’m Smokin Stakes for 2-year-old California-breds headlined Del Mar’s Friday session. The $100,000 sprint over 5.5 furlongs on dirt drew a competitive cast of promising juveniles, setting the stage for critical fall form lines. Early favorite status rested with an undefeated local colt who showed sharp bullet works leading into the event, while trainer Peter Miller, known for juvenile sprint success, saddled two entries aiming to get their first stakes win.
• Fast fractions contributed to a thrilling finish, with the early leader repelled late by a well-timed rally from the inside. The race saw extended stretch dueling, ultimately decided by a head bob. Winning connections immediately pointed to further stakes plans for the winner.

Gulfstream Park

• Gulfstream opened its Friday program with a strong showing by Proud American, who secured an early lead in Race 1 and ran aggressively up front to hold off closing rivals, finishing the 1 1/16 mile test in 1:42.1. The morning-line favorite, Alan Now Forever, suffered a disastrous break but recovered ground late to avoid last position.
• The day marks the kickoff of three consecutive Sire Stakes weekends at Gulfstream. The Desert Vixen S. for juvenile fillies and the Dr. Fager S. for 2-year-old colts are key highlights, drawing top Florida-breds and significant local attention. The 8-5 favorite in the Dr. Fager Stakes, Squire, looked poised to confirm his reputation while Lenny Lou claimed favoritism in the fillies’ division.
• Gulfstream’s feature events have shaped up as bellwethers for the autumn juvenile scene, with the victorious connections earning valuable stakes experience for their promising prospects.

Churchill Downs

• Churchill Downs held a special Twilight Thursday card on Thursday, rolling into a full slate of Friday racing for the September Meet. The on-track atmosphere was energized by live music and food trucks, with student and senior admission specials drawing a strong crowd.
• The Friday card featured competitive allowance races, maiden special weights, and tough claiming contests, as trainers positioned their stables for the lucrative fall meet. Strong performances from local jockeys highlighted the action, though no graded stakes took place today.

Stars to Watch

• At Del Mar, several highly regarded 2-year-olds emerged in the I’m Smokin Stakes. The undefeated California-bred colt who stretched his record today has solidified his reputation as a leading West Coast juvenile, with future stakes appearances likely. Attention also focused on Miller’s duo, as both delivered notable efforts.
• At Gulfstream Park, sire stakes runners Squire and Lenny Lou commanded pre-race buzz, with each holding favoritism in their respective divisions. Lenny Lou, aiming for a breakthrough stakes score, continued her upward trajectory; Squire’s connections are expected to target further state-bred stakes after today’s performance.
• The maiden and allowance ranks at Churchill Downs featured several well-bred juveniles and 3-year-olds making seasonal returns, with successful outings from young talent destined for deeper company later this meet.

Upcoming Major Races

• The $100,000 I’m Smokin Stakes at Del Mar represented today’s most prestigious event, serving as a key trial for California-bred 2-year-olds eyeing the autumn statebred series.
• At Gulfstream Park, the beginning of Florida Sire Stakes action (Desert Vixen S. and Dr. Fager S.) set the stage for an eagerly awaited three-weekend sprint series, with future stakes-bound horses displaying critical form today.
• No graded events were held at Churchill Downs today, but multiple allowance and starter-allowance contests drew competitive fields in anticipation of the meet’s stakes-heavy Saturday card.