The Native Diver Stakes is a Grade III American thoroughbred horse race for three-years-old and older over a distance of one and one eighth miles on the dirt held annually in late November at Del Mar Racetrack in Del Mar, California. The event offers a purse of $100,000.

History

The race is named for one of the great sprinters and one of California’s most favorite horses, Native Diver, who ranks 60th in Blood-Horse magazine List of the Top 100 U.S. Racehorses of the 20th Century.

The event was inaugurated on 6 May 1979 with a recorded crowd of 30,857 in attendance as the Native Diver Handicap at Hollywood Park Racetrack over the one mile distance and was won by the six year old Life's Hope who was trained by the US Hall of Fame trainer Laz Barrera and ridden by the US Hall of Fame jockey Laffit Pincay Jr. in a time of 1:35 flat. The event was classified as Grade II for the first running but the following year it was downgraded to Grade III. The event has remained at that classification.

The 1981 running was scheduled for the Hollywood Park Fall meeting and held on Thanksgiving Day weekend.

The distance of the event was increased to miles in 1982 then reverted to 1 mile in 1984. In 1986 the distance was set at miles and has remained at that to date. From 2006 to 2014 it was held on a synthetic dirt surface.

In the 2008 edition, Slew's Tizzy set a new Hollywood Park record for the all weather track for miles with a winning time of 1:46.78. The time however was not faster than the dirt stakes record which was set by the 1995 Argentine three year old champion Gentlemen (ARG) in the 1996 when he won by nine lengths in 1:45.35.

The event was run as a handicap prior to 2012.

With the closure of Hollywood Park Racetrack in 2013 the event was moved to Del Mar Racetrack.

Records Speed record: miles: 1:45.35 – Gentlemen (ARG) (1996) 1 miles: 1:33.40 - Innamorato (1985)

Margins: 9 lengths – Gentlemen (ARG) (1996)

Most wins: no horse with more than one win

Most wins by an owner: 3 – Karl Watson, Michael E. Pegram & Paul Weitman (2021, 2022, 2025)

Most wins by a jockey: 7 – Chris McCarron (1981, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1994, 1999)

Most wins by a trainer: 8 – Richard E. Mandella (1983, 1986, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2003, 2020)

Winners Year Winner Age Jockey Trainer Owner Distance Time Purse Grade RefAt Del Mar – Native Diver Stakes2025 Nevada Beach 3Juan J. HernandezBob Baffert Karl Watson, Michael E. Pegram & Paul Weitman miles1:48.35$98,000III2024Skinner4Hector Isaac BerriosJohn ShirreffsSunny Brook Stables miles1:48.95$100,500III2023Mr Fisk 3Juan J. HernandezBob BaffertSunny Brook Stables miles1:49.69$101,000III2022Defunded 4Edwin MaldonadoBob Baffert Karl Watson, Michael E. Pegram & Paul Weitman miles1:50.12$150,500III2021Azul Coast4Flavien PratBob Baffert Karl Watson, Michael E. Pegram & Paul Weitman miles1:50.55$100,500III2020Extra Hope 4Juan HernandezRichard E. Mandella Jay Em Ess Stable miles1:50.11$98,000III2019Midcourt 4Victor EspinozaJohn Shirreffs C R K Stable miles1:48.36$98,000III2018Battle of Midway 4Flavien PratJerry Hollendorfer Don Alberto Stable & WinStar Farm miles1:50.23$92,000III2017Prime Attraction 4Victor EspinozaJames M. Cassidy D P Racing miles1:49.87$100,690III2016Midnight Storm 5Mike E. SmithPhilip D'Amato Alex Venneri Racing & Little Red Feather Racing miles1:51.59$100,690III2015Dortmund 3Gary L. StevensBob Baffert Kaleem Shah miles1:48.06$150,000III2014Big Cazanova (ARG) 5Elvis TrujilloPeter L. Miller Wachtel Stable, Gary Barber, Brous Stable & Dona Licha miles1:49.28$200,500IIIAt Hollywood Park – Native Diver Stakes2013Blueskiesnrainbows 4Martin A. PedrozaJerry Hollendorfer Bad Boy Racing & Whizway Farms miles1:50.07$150,500III2012Game On Dude 5Mike E. SmithBob Baffert Diamond Pride, Lanni Family Trust, Mercedes Stable & Bernie Schiappa miles1:52.27$242,500IIINative Diver Handicap 2011Kettle Corn 4Garrett K. GomezJohn W. Sadler C R K Stable miles1:49.03$100,000III2010Aggie Engineer 5Joseph TalamoPatrick GallagherWard and Roberta Williford miles1:51.04$100,000III2009Mast Track 5Rafael BejaranoHumberto Ascanio Stronach Stables miles1:50.53$100,000III2008Slew's Tizzy 4Joel RosarioDoug F. O'Neill Joseph Lacombe Stable miles1:46.78$108,200III2007Heatseeker (IRE) 4Michael C. BazeJerry Hollendorfer William Deburgh miles1:47.23$111,800III2006Saint Stephen 6Garrett K. GomezChristophe ClementCharles E. & Susan T. Harris & Susan Karches miles1:48.71$100,000III2005Trotamondo (CHI) 4Garrett K. GomezLaura de Seroux A-Mark Racing, Bogtufi, Bridport, S. A., Liliana Solari miles1:49.92$100,000III2004Truly a Judge 6Martin A. PedrozaDavid Bernstein Alan Aidekman, Gaylord Ailshie & Tom Harris miles1:47.06$100,000III2003Olmodavor 4Alex O. SolisRichard E. Mandella Wertheimer et Frere miles1:49.16$100,000III2002 6Laffit Pincay Jr.Ron McAnally Nelson Bunker Hunt miles1:48.43$100,000III2001Momentum 3Corey NakataniCraig Dollase J. Paul Reddam miles1:48.24$100,000III2000Sky Jack 4Laffit Pincay Jr.Doug F. O'Neill Ren-Mar Thoroughbreds miles1:46.81$100,000III1999General Challenge 3Chris McCarronBob Baffert Golden Eagle Farm miles1:49.07$100,000III1998Puerto Madero (CHI) 4Kent J. DesormeauxRichard E. Mandella Randall D. Hubbard & Dwight Sutherland miles1:48.43$100,000III1997Refinado Tom (ARG) 4Gary L. StevensRichard E. Mandella Refinado Tom Inc. miles1:47.84$100,000III1996Gentlemen (ARG) 4Gary L. StevensRichard E. Mandella Haras de La Pomme miles1:45.35$106,400III1995Alphabet Soup 4Chris AntleyDavid E. Hofmans Ridder Thoroughbred Stable miles1:47.03$106,400III1994Best Pal 6Chris McCarronRichard E. Mandella Golden Eagle Farm miles1:48.44$109,000III1993Slew of Damascus 5Corey NakataniCraig G. Roberts Edris Harbeston, George Losh & Vic Naccaroto miles1:47.46$108,300III1992Sir Beaufort 5Chris McCarron Victoria Calantoni miles1:47.88$106,700III1991Twilight Agenda 5Chris McCarronD. Wayne Lukas Moyglare Stud miles1:49.00$103,100III1990Warcraft 3Chris McCarronCharles E. Whittingham Mary Bradley, Charles E. Whittingham & Nancy Chandler miles1:47.40$108,500III 1989Ruhlmann 4Chris McCarronCharles E. Whittingham Jerome S. Moss miles1:48.00$108,100III1988Cutlass Reality 6Gary L. StevensCraig Anthony LewisHoward Crash & Jim Hankoff miles1:48.60$114,100III1987Epidaurus 5Pat ValenzuelaCharles E. Whittingham Elizabeth A. Keck miles1:47.60$159,200III1986Hopeful Word 5Laffit Pincay Jr.Richard E. Mandella James Clifton, Robert Doll, Barrett Morris miles1:47.80$153,800III 1985Innamorato 4Sandy HawleyJay M. Robbins Fred Duckett & Paniolo Ranch 1 mile1:33.40$143,900III 1984Lord At War (ARG) 4Bill ShoemakerCharles E. Whittingham Peter & Diane Perkins1 mile1:35.40$121,925III1983Menswear 5Fernando ToroRichard E. Mandella Sam Bretzfield & Hal Oliver miles1:42.40$108,200III 1982Native Tactics 4Neil D. Drysdale Saron Stable miles1:35.40$107,700III 1981Syncopate 6Chris McCarronRon McAnally Elmendorf Farm1 mile1:38.80$108,500III1980Replant 6Bill ShoemakerRon McAnally Elmendorf Farm1 mile1:34.20$108,000III1979Life's Hope 6Laffit Pincay Jr.Laz Barrera Harbor View Farm 1 mile1:35.00$54,000II

Legend:

See also List of American and Canadian Graded races

External links 2020 Del Mar Media Guide

References