Newgrange Looks to Get Back on Track in Native Diver

Three-time graded stakes winner Newgrange  will look to return to his winning ways in his second start in nearly nine months in the Nov. 26 Native Diver Stakes (G3) at Del Mar.

The $100,000 1 1/8-mile Native Diver, drawing a field of seven, marks the final feature of the Del Mar fall season.

Four-year-old Newgrange began the year with a decisive career-best performance in the San Pasqual Stakes (G2) Jan. 28 at Santa Anita Park. Stretching out the classic 1 1/4-mile trip in the Santa Anita Handicap (G1), he faltered to finish seventh and was sidelined until returning in a Santa Anita allowance optional claiming contest in October. The Phil D'Amato trainee ran third to grade 1 winners Practical Joke   and Tripoli  in that mile contest after being steadied late.

Owned in partnership by Rockingham Ranch, David Bernsen, and Little Red Feather Racing, Newgrange joined D'Amato's barn last year after selling for $325,000 at the Keeneland Horses of Racing Age Sale. He had made the first four starts of his career for trainer Bob Baffert, winning the 2022 Sham Stakes (G3) and Southwest Stakes (G3).

The son of Violence   will be ridden back by Edwin Maldonado.

A trio of 3-year-olds step up against 123-pound high weight Newgrange in the Native Diver, including one-time Kentucky Derby (G1) hopeful Skinner  and recent Shared Belief Stakes winner Mr Fisk . Arrowthegreat , another 3-year-old and the winner of his last two, takes the jump to stakes company and stretches out to nine furlongs for the first time in the Native Diver.