Raging Torrent, a 3-year-old colt, displayed exceptional grit in his first race against older competition, claiming victory in the Pat O'Brien Stakes (G2) at Del Mar on August 24. The race, a seven-furlong sprint, was anticipated as a clash between California sprint star The Chosen Vron and multimillionaire Senor Buscador, with Raging Torrent entering as an underdog despite recent impressive performances at Churchill Downs.

On paper, The Chosen Vron, fresh off a dominating win in the six-furlong Bing Crosby Stakes (G1), was the heavy favorite at 1-2 odds. Senor Buscador, returning from a layoff after placing third in the Dubai World Cup (G1) and winning the Saudi Cup (G1), was the second choice at $4.30-1, with Raging Torrent close behind at $4.40-1. Raging Torrent, carrying 118 pounds compared to 125 pounds for both The Chosen Vron and Senor Buscador, benefited from a seven-pound weight break as a 3-year-old.

As the gates opened, The Chosen Vron quickly took the lead, but Raging Torrent, under the guidance of jockey Antonio Fresu, soon overtook him. The pair set a brisk pace, with Raging Torrent clocking the first quarter-mile in 22.56 seconds. As they approached the turn, The Chosen Vron surged back, momentarily taking the lead and seeming poised for victory. However, Raging Torrent dug deep, fighting back to regain the lead in the final sixteenth of a mile. The two horses battled fiercely to the wire, but Raging Torrent edged out The Chosen Vron by a neck, finishing in 1:21.17.

Behind them, Big City Lights, a consistent runner-up to The Chosen Vron in previous races, finished third, 3 1/2 lengths behind. Senor Buscador, who struggled to keep pace early on, made a late push to secure fourth, three lengths behind Big City Lights.

The victory earned Raging Torrent a fees-paid entry into the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1) at Del Mar on November 2, adding another feather in the cap of his promising career. The Chosen Vron, already qualified for the Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) through his Bing Crosby victory, will also be heading to the Breeders' Cup.

Doug O'Neill trains Raging Torrent for owner Mark Davis, who purchased the colt for $75,000 at the 2023 Ocala Breeders' Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training from consignor Randy Bradshaw. Davis typically campaigns Raging Torrent on his own but allows Great Friends Stables, a group of racing enthusiasts, to co-own the horse during the Del Mar summer meet. Raging Torrent had previously broken his maiden at Del Mar in 2023 and placed third in the Best Pal Stakes (G3) during the Santa Anita Park fall meeting.

O'Neill expressed gratitude to Davis for involving Great Friends Stables and acknowledged that the weight break was a significant advantage for Raging Torrent. He described the colt as a "tall, long horse who covers a lot of ground," suggesting that while Raging Torrent might eventually excel in two-turn races, his current prowess lies in one-turn events.

Raging Torrent was bred in Kentucky by Rodney J. Winkler and Alfonso Mazzetti. He is out of the winning Violence mare Violent Wave, and his victory in the Pat O'Brien Stakes makes him the first graded stakes winner sired by Maximus Mischief, a son of Into Mischief. Maximus Mischief, who stood for a 2024 stud fee of $25,000 at Spendthrift Farm near Lexington, was the second-leading first-crop sire by progeny earnings in 2023.