Nooni © Benoit Photo JUAN HERNANDEZ (Nooni, winner) – “She was really comfortable. She was really quick out of the gate. I had to push her a little at the end, but we did it....

The emergence of Japanese racing in the U.S. wasn’t limited to the horses they were bringing overseas. A couple of jockeys took the plunge and not since the legendary Yutaka Take has any Japanese rider made more of an instant impact than Kazushi Kimura.

R Heisman saved ground early through fast splits then wore down leader Case Hit in the lane to score a three-quarter length victory in the Graduation Stakes.

As is often the case in 2-year-old races at Del Mar, Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert is holding the strong hand. This time it is the 54th running of the Grade III Best Pal Stakes with the conditioner seemingly in the driver’s seat with Getaway Car.

Anisette was the Belle of Del Mar last year. She won the G2 San Clemente on opening weekend of the 2023 summer meet and followed with an impressive victory in the G1 Del Mar Oaks a month later. The English-bred out of the barn of trainer Leonard Powell is back at Del Mar and headlines Saturday’s G2 Yellow Ribbon.

Wishtheyallcouldbe outran eight rival distaffers pulling clear by nearly five lengths at the finish of the six-furlong dash for California-bred fillies and mares.

One of the class acts of the Del Mar racing season – the multiple-stakes winner Anisette – will strut her stuff at the seaside oval Saturday in the 72nd edition of the Yellow Ribbon Handicap.

Two-year-olds get tested in Graduation Stakes Friday.

Nine 2-year-old male runners will face off Friday afternoon at Del Mar in the 73rd edition of the Graduation Stakes for California-bred racehorses.

In the Air Tonight led a one-two-three sweep for her sire and her breeder in the five-and-a-half furlong dash. Stay Thirsty, one of California’s top stallions, sired the winner, the second-place finisher Thirsty Mama and the third-place horse in Thirsty in Vegas.