DEL MAR, Calif. - At seven furlongs, the 3-year-old colt Raging Torrent has been unbeatable this year, so sharp at the distance that he defeated top California sprinter The Chosen Vron for his first graded stakes win in Saturday’s Grade 2 Pat O’Brien Stakes at Del Mar. After setting the early pace, Raging Torrent lost his advantage briefly to The Chosen Vron in early stretch before regaining the lead and prevailing by a neck. Ridden by Antonio Fresu, Raging Torrent ($10.80) was timed in 1:21.17 and earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 104, which equals his career best. Raging Torrent was the only 3-year-old in a field of eight and carried 118 pounds compared to 125 for The Chosen Vron. “The horse was a fighter,” Fresu said. “He looked like he was beaten in the last furlong, and he came back.” The Chosen Vron, sent off as the 1-2 favorite, was beaten for the first time since a fifth-place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Santa Anita last November. Since then, The Chosen Vron had won six consecutive stakes at Del Mar and Santa Anita. :: DRF's Del Mar Handicapping Packages: Get everything you need to play the races with confidence. Earlier at the current Del Mar summer meeting, The Chosen Vron earned a fees-paid berth to the BC Sprint at Del Mar on Nov. 2 with a splendid win in the Grade 1 Bing Crosby Stakes at six furlongs. The BC Sprint remains a long-term goal for The Chosen Vron, trainer Eric Kruljac said after Saturday’s loss. “He ran his race,” Kruljac said. “The other horse dug back in. Nothing to be disgraced about.” The Chosen Vron finished 3 1/2 lengths in front of 16-1 Big City Lights, who was followed by 4-1 Senor Buscador. The $251,500 Pat O’Brien was Senor Buscador’s first start since he finished a well-beaten third in the $12 million Dubai World Cup in the United Arab Emirates on March 30. Senor Buscador, the winner of the $20 million Saudi Cup in Saudi Arabia in February, closed from last of eight in the final three furlongs of Saturday’s race to finish 6 3/4 lengths behind Raging Torrent. Trainer Todd Fincher said earlier in the week that Senor’s Buscador’s start in the Pat O’Brien Stakes was a prep race for intended appearances in the Grade 1 California Crown at Santa Anita on Sept. 28 and the BC Classic at Del Mar on Nov. 2. Senor Buscador was followed in the Pat O’Brien by Happy Jack, See Through It, Moose Mitchell and Arrowthegreat. Raging Torrent, trained by Doug O’Neill for the partnership of Mark Davis and Great Friends Stables, led through an opening quarter-mile of 22.56 seconds, with The Chosen Vron within a length. After a half-mile in 44.96 seconds, Raging Torrent led by a half-length over The Chosen Vron. Approaching the stretch, The Chosen Vron took the lead while racing two-wide and was in front by a head with a furlong remaining. The Chosen Vron could not sustain the advantage, losing for the sixth time in his 25-race career. Raging Torrent, a colt by the Into Mischief stallion Maximus Mischief, won his third consecutive start in the Pat O’Brien and earned a fees-paid berth to the BC Dirt Mile at Del Mar on Nov. 2. Raging Torrent won an allowance race at seven furlongs for 3-year-olds at Churchill Downs on May 4 for his first victory in a maiden race since his debut at Del Mar in July 2023. On June 30, Raging Torrent won the first stakes of his career in the Maxfield Stakes for 3-year-olds at seven furlongs at Churchill Downs, setting the pace and winning by 2 1/4 lengths. Raging Torrent was even sharper in the Pat O’Brien on Saturday against a highly respected rival. :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.