Del Mar Recap for Thursday (7-31-25)
Fast main track and firm turf course. Three front running winners on dirt (5.5f, 8f, 5.5f). The other dirt race was taken by an outside presser, and this was the first true speed friendly track this summer. On the turf course, a dueling favorite won the 5f opener, a 9-1 midpack stalker won at one mile, a 9-1 closer tallied at one mile, and a 57-1 stalker won at 1 1/16 miles (rail at 24 feet).
Riding doubles for Armando Ayuso (turf) and Antonio Fresu (routes).
July 31 Claims: Race 2 – Mr. A. P. ($150k, Vladimir Cerin). Race 4 – Eastwick ($20k, Craig Dollase), Severe Clear ($20k, Peter Miller). Race 6 – How About Pavel ($16k, Genaro Vallejo), Lady of Sky ($16k Librado Barocio), Maria Tallchief ($16k, Daniel Azcarate).
The $1 Pick 6 pool was $62,867 and there were no tickets with six or five winners. Tickets with four winners paid $1,380.70, and there is a Pick 6 carryover of $38,384 into Friday, August 1.
Del Mar Full Card Highlights for Thursday (7-31-25)
DMR 4 LADY RIDER ($14.60), Trifecta ($164.60)
Double (races 3-4, $94.60)
Double (races 4-5, $204.20)
Pick 3 (races 3-5, $1,285.20)
*Full card highlights based on $2 wagers unless otherwise noted.
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Del Mar Recap for Friday (8-1-25)
Fast main track and firm turf course. One front running winner at one mile on dirt. On the turf course, a 2-1 last-to-first closer won the flat mile opener, a 3-1 presser graduated at 5f, a stalking favorite scored at 8.5f, and a front running favorite tallied at one mile (rail at 24 feet).
Armando Ayuso booted home two winners.
Stakes Recaps (8-1-25)
Real Good Deal (CA-bred, 7f): Returnee Speedy Wilson ($5.20) was the favorite and he won this race for Armando Ayuso and Phil D’Amato. He sat back in 6th and made a sustained wide run to score by 1 3/4 lengths. His stablemate Shea Brennan also returned from a layoff and he just got up for the place over 12-1 pace prompter Drop Um. Style Cat stalked inside and finished fourth, and Check’s On the Way, Western Freedom, and dueling front runner Last Call Zondio completed the order of finish. Fractions: 21.91, 44.52, 1:09.75, 1:22.34.
August 1 Claims: Race 2 – One Step Beyond ($20k, Jorge Periban). Race 5 – Corporal Violette ($25k, Steve Knapp), Empress Ellie ($25k, Jeff Mullins), Port Ellen ($25k, Blaine Wright), Ro Town ($25k, Ron Ellis). Race 8 – Fun To Run ($10k, Daniel Azcarate), Vegas Love ($25k, Adan Farias).
The $1 Pick 6 pool was $409,762 and tickets with six winners paid $2,855.10. Tickets with five winners paid $30.80.
Del Mar Full Card Highlights for Friday (8-1-25)
DMR 4 HOWIN (Best Bet, $3.60)
Double (races 3-4, $15.20)
Double (races 4-5, $13.60)
Pick 3 (races 3-5, $69.40)
DMR 6 SPEEDY WILSON ($5.20)
Double (races 5-6, $18.60)
Pick 3 (races 4-6, $44.40)
Double (races 6-7, $26.80)
Pick 3 (races 5-7, $97.20)
SAR 7 LUTHER ($5.70)
*Full card highlights based on $2 wagers unless otherwise noted.
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Del Mar Recap for Saturday (8-2-25)
Fast main track and firm turf course. One front running winner at 1 1/16 miles on dirt. Pressers and stalkers won the other four dirt races. On the turf course, a stalking favorite graduated first time out at 5f, a 5-1 closer scored at 1 3/8 miles, a front running favorite tallied at one mile, a 2-1 stalker graduated at 5f, front running favorite Kings River Knight won the California Dreamin’ at 8.5f, and a 9-1 stalker won the flat mile finale (rail at 12 feet).
Juan Hernandez (stakes routes) and Kazushi Kimura (turf) both guided home two winners. Mark Glatt saddled a pair of maiden claiming dirt sprint winners and one was a first timer.
Del Mar Stakes Recaps for 8-2-25
California Dreamin’ (CA-bred, 8.5T): Kings River Knight ($3.40) got control of this race early and that was the key to success. He dug in nicely in the stretch and turned away Aligato to win by a half-length. Aligato was making his first start since January and he loves picking up minor awards. 38-1 longshot Anan chased the pace from the inside post and stayed on nicely for the show. Takes Three, Mr. Disrespectful, Clouseau, Barely Functional, Coalinga Road (poor start), Mystic Spirit, and Miss Jo’s Curlin also ran. Juan Hernandez rode the winner for John Sadler. Fractions: 23.56, 47.33, 1:11.61, 1:35.31, 1:41.28.
Grade 1 Clement L. Hirsch (8.5f): Seismic Beauty ($4.20) showed off her early speed from the inside post and never gave the others a chance. She kicked clear by 3 lengths in the stretch and won by half that much over a closing Kopion. The latter was pushed on down the backside and made a sustained run in a clear runner-up finish. Richi (CHI) chased the pace and was best of the rest in third. Royal Spa chased from second and weakened to fourth. Nothing Like You and Little Hidden Port (ARG) trailed. Juan Hernandez rode the winner for Bob Baffert and she received a 110 BSF, and that is the best number of the year in races longer than one mile. Fractions: 22.85, 46.63, 1:10.32, 1:35.52, 1:42.33.
August 2 Claims: Race 2 – Charlie Foxtrot ($40k, Robert Hess, Jr.). Race 5 – The Shillelagh ($25k, Daniel Azcarate).
The $1 Pick 6 pool was $325,098 and tickets with six winners paid $19,849.10. Tickets with five winners paid $144.60.
Del Mar Full Card Highlights for Saturday (8-2-25)
DMR 1 SOUTH BAY ($6.00), Quinella ($14.40)
DMR 2 CHARLIE FOXTROT (Best Bet, $5.20)
Double (races 1-2, $17.20)
DMR 7 GLORIOUS LIFE ($6.40), Exacta ($18.20)
Double (races 6-7, $69.20)
Pick 3 (races 5-7, $162.40)
*Full card highlights based on $2 wagers unless otherwise noted.
Saratoga Full Card Highlights for Saturday (8-2-25)
SAR 2 CAPITAL PARTNER ($5.90)
Double (races 1-2, $38.60)
Double (races 2-3, $18.20)
Pick 3 (races 1-3, $120.00)
Pick 3 (races 2-4, $102.00)
SAR 6 ORNELLAIA ($11.00), Trifecta ($410.00)
Double (races 5-6, $64.00)
Pick 3 (races 4-6, $388.00)
Double (races 6-7, $64.00)
Pick 3 (races 5-7, $356.00)
SAR 11 SIERRA LEONE (Best Bet, $5.90)
SAR 13 PEAK HYPE ($11.00)
*Full card highlights based on $2 wagers unless otherwise noted.
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Del Mar Recap for Sunday (8-3-25)
Fast main track and firm turf course. Two front running winners at 6f on dirt. On the turf course, a 10-1 stalking first timer graduated at 5f, even money favorite The Padre (IRE) stalked and pounced in the La Jolla at 1 1/16 miles, and a 9-2 front runner broke his maiden in the flat mile finale (rail at 12 feet).
Assael Espinoza booted home two winners.
Del Mar Stakes Recaps for 8-3-25
La Jolla Handicap (8.5T): Freedom’s Not Free was the morning line favorite but the bettors went with my best bet top The Padre (IRE) as the post time choice, and the latter did not disappoint. I picked him because of his strong late pace rating on June 13. He stalked outside under Umberto Rispoli and fought on in the stretch to win by a half-length. Freedom’s Not Free stalked inside and earned the place by a neck over Artislas. The latter chased, led, and held the show. Maaz (FR), Oceanside winner Game Warrior, and early runner Day and Age completed the order of finish. The Padre paid $4 to win for trainer Phil D’Amato. Fractions: 24.66, 49.29, 1:14.25, 1:37.29, 1:42.76.
CTBA (CA-bred 2yo fillies, 5f): All sorts of things were going on in this five panel dash. 20-1 longshot My Love Caroline attended the pace, led, and prevailed by a nose but the inquiry sign was flashing and it involved the winner, beaten favorite Liberation, and Jasmina. My Love Caroline caused Liberation to clip heels early, and Jasmina drifted in early and Liberation definitely took the worst of it. She made a wide move before flattening out and crossing the line in fourth. One of the stewards wanted to disqualify My Love Caroline and Jasmina, but they opted to take down My Love Caroline and placed her fourth. Jasmina ($8.20) was elevated to first, Tapatia Mia was moved to second, and Liberation was placed third. Mustang Knicky, Lino’s Angel, and Lady Victoria also ran. Kyle Frey rode the elevated winner for Simon Callaghan. Fractions: 22.23, 46.20, 59.02.
August 3 Claims: Race 8 – Devil Be Me ($10k, Genaro Vallejo), Morello ($10k, Lorenzo Campuzano), Night Time ($10k, Jesus Uranga), Wegonahavagoodtime ($10k, James Crotts).
The $1 Pick 6 pool was $241,647 and tickets with six winners paid $12,294.90. Tickets with five winners paid $82.90.
Del Mar Full Card Highlights for Sunday (8-3-25)
DMR 1 BUETANE ($2.60), Exacta ($7.40)
DMR 2 FORMULA ROSSA ($2.40), Trifecta ($18.40)
Double (races 1-2, $3.80)
Double (races 2-3, $14.20)
Pick 3 (races 1-3, $17.00)
Pick 3 (races 2-4, $35.00)
DMR 7 THE PADRE (DMR Best Bet, $4.00), Exacta ($12.00)
DMR 8 Night Time/Halo Rando Exacta (DMR Price Play, $25.80)
Double (races 7-8, $15.00)
Pick 3 (races 7-9, $107.40)
SAR 8 BRING THEBAND HOME ($3.30), Trifecta ($51.00)
*Full card highlights based on $2 wagers unless otherwise noted.
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