For those displeased with the outcome of the recent multimillion-dollar Pacific Classic Stakes (G1), in which a 1-in-13 horse defeated an undistinguished South American import, take heart. The John C. Mabee Stakes (G2T) on September 7 promises to rain fire down the 1 1/8-mile course. Del Mar lawn
At least Mixed And Full Serrano had a great performance at the Classic with a dramatic finish that marked a career-high experience for winning rider Kyle Frey, a former Eclipse Award trainee. If they repeat that form in the California Crown (G1) later this month at Santa Anita Parkwe could have a whole new game in the west.
Until then, the rematch between Didia And repatriation at Mabee is probably enough to satisfy the toughest critics, especially since both are headed to the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf (G1T), which will take place at Del Mar on November 2. Merriebelle Stables and Resolute Racing own Didia, winner of this year’s Pegasus World Cup Filly and Mare Turf Invitational Stakes (G2T) and New York Stakes (G1T), while Anisette has won the Gamely Stakes (G1T) and Yellow Ribbon Handicap (G2T) for Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners.
The last time they met, the older Didia beat the 3-year-old Anisette by 1 3/4 lengths in the 2023 Rodeo Drive Stakes (G2T) at Santa Anita, and both trainers—Ignacio Correas IV and Leonard Powell—say their mares have improved since then. So that doesn’t help matters.
“She’s easygoing, she always has been,” Correas said, describing Didia. “If anything, I think she’s gotten a little better this year.”
“She’s a year older and more mature,” Powell said, referring to Anisette. “Hopefully that will tip the scales a little bit in our favor.”
Powell was sitting at his desk in his stable office in Del Mar, while Correas was speaking from Kentucky, where his stable is located. Keeneland. Twenty years ago this summer, you would have seen both of them in Del Mar working for Bill Currin, a California Renaissance horseman and the inspiration for countless stories about his days as a breeder, owner, trainer, and builder of thousands of homes across the country.
“I started training one or two horses under my name,” Powell said. “Bill knew I was going to have more horses and knew he was going to need a full-time assistant soon. Ignacio was working in Kentucky and came highly recommended.”
Heart disease forced Currin to retire from training in early 2010, by which time Powell had a stable of horses that ran nearly a hundred times a year and Correas had moved back east to train for Sagamore Farm. The fact that both were now running two of the best turf mares in the country not trained by Chad Brown was one of those happy coincidences that keeps racing interesting forever.
“Yes, we are rivals,” Powell said with a smile. “Friendly rivals.”
Powell, a native of France, comes from a family deeply entwined in the world of horse racing. He has two older brothers in the industry, plus his half-brother Arnaud Delacour, a trainer based in the East. Powell’s father, the late David Powell, was an owner, breeder, journalist and racing manager for a leading hurdles stable, who once hosted this resident reporter at his Normandy farm. Leonard Powell was just one year old at the time. As amused as I am sure he was, he doesn’t remember the encounter.
Kentucky Downs never in the plans.
“You don’t run a horse for the Breeders’ Cup at Kentucky Downs,” Correas said. “At least I don’t. There are horses that like it there and horses that don’t. You can’t leave a question mark 60 days before the big race.
“I know compared to what we have at Kentucky Downs, $250,000 is like an allowance race,” Correas added. “But I think it’s good for her to get around the track once to get some experience.”
Correas will be at Kentucky Downs this weekend, where he has five winning horses that will put the rest of the game to shame. Assistant trainer Hiram Rosario accompanied Didia to California to attend Mabee.
“We are not a big operation, but we ship all over the country,” Correas said. “That’s why we make some noise.”
Ignacio Correas IV
There could be some noise in Mabee’s final race, a race named after the longtime chairman of the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club. Analysts say Didia has the edge in speed numbers, but Anisette has been flawless at Del Mar, winning three of three in her appearances in graded events. It’s unlikely the two will run again before they reunite at the Breeders’ Cup.
“Didia is the most serious contender Anisette will face this year,” Powell said. “A good run with her would make our ambitions more legitimate.”
