By J.N. Campbell
Charting a course then declaring 'here be dragons' when she made land in the seaside oval winner's circle, Explora (Blame–Collections Choice, by Bernardini) set sail from the gate and never looked back in a maiden-breaking performance on Sunday which earned her a 'TDN Rising Star' flag for her top mast.
The heavy favorite established her lead up the backstretch and tacked around the far turn like she had even pulled out her pocket handkerchiefs. With rider Juan Hernandez playing the role of bosun, Explora went easy en route to win by a comfortable 4 3/4 lengths over Revera (Lexitonian).
The winner is her dam's last registered foal of record. Out of MGISP Model (Giant's Causeway), Collections Choice (Bernardini) was sent to Korea in 2024. Explora's extended female family includes Irish Group 1 winner Preseli (Ire) (Caerleon).
Blame's most recent 'TDN Rising Stars' were Mucho in 2018 and Nadal in 2020.
2nd-Del Mar, $80,000, Msw, 8-17, 2yo, f, 5 1/2f, 1:03.15, ft, 4 3/4 lengths.
EXPLORA, f, 2, Blame
1st Dam: Collections Choice, by Bernardini
2nd Dam: Model, by Giant's Causeway
3rd Dam: Snowfire (GB), by Machiavellian
Sales History: $22,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP; $350,000 2yo '25 EASMAY. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $48,000. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
O-Michael E. Pegram, Karl Watson and Paul Weitman; B-Mesingw Farm, LLC (KY); T-Bob Baffert.
🌎 #3 EXPLORA ($2.40) was an easy winner of the 2nd race at @DelMarRacing. The juvenile filly by @ClaiborneFarm's Blame was piloted by @JJHernandezS19 for trainer Bob Baffert. pic.twitter.com/1E5TrAbmiH
— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) August 17, 2025
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