Mike Pegram, Karl Watson and Paul Weitman's EXPLORA (f, 2, Blame–Collections Choice, by Bernardini) atoned for a runner-up effort to her stablemate Bottle of Rouge (Vino Rosso) in the GI Del Mar Debutante with a comprehensive success in Saturday's GII Oak Leaf Stakes, a 'Win and You're In' qualifier for the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies at Del Mar on Friday, Oct. 31.Named a 'TDN Rising Star' presented by Hagyard when romping in her 5 1/2-furlong debut at Del Mar Aug. 17 and fractionally disappointing after making the running in the Debutante, the 2-5 chalk, getting the blinkers off this time, was trapped out a bit wide at the first corner and had no choice but to punch the breeze three wide as 'Rising Star' stable companion Himika (Curlin) showed the way through a half in :46.98.Felt for by Juan Hernandez at the three-eighths pole, Explora raced upsides of Himika at the head of the stretch and she kicked on nicely through the final furlong to take it by about five lengths. Debutante third La Wally (Constitution) rounded out the exacta ahead of longshot La Ville Lumiere (City of Light).Sales history: $22,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP; $350,000 2yo '25 FTMMAY. Lifetime Record: 3-2-1-0. O-Watson, Weitman and Pegram; B-Mesingw Farm (KY); T-Bob Baffert EXPLORA ($2.80) put on a show in the $200,000 Oak Leaf Stakes (G2) at @Santaanitapark. @BobBaffert trains the daughter of Blame (@claibornefarm). @JJHernandezS19 was up on the 2YO for the @LanesEndFarms @BreedersCup #WAYI race for the Juvenile Fillies . pic.twitter.com/W0RGtVKms8— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) October 5, 2025The post Blame ‘Rising Star’ Explora Rolls Home In the Oak Leaf appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.