Del Mar Recap for Friday (7-18-25)
Fast main track and firm turf course. No front running winners on dirt. On the turf course, a 5-1 stalker won at one mile, a 9-1 dueling front runner prevailed at 5f, a front running favorite tallied at 8.5f, 19-1 closer Game Warrior captured the Oceanside at one mile, and a 28-1 front runner ended the card with a flat mile maiden win (rail at 12 feet).
Hector Berrios (routes) and Abel Lezcano (dirt sprints) both booted home two winners. Peter Miller saddled two turf winners.
Del Mar Stakes Recaps for 7-18-25
Oceanside (8T): Kale’s Angel got clear early but he was not around at the end. Actually, none of the forwardly placed runners stuck around. Iron Man Cal was the strong favorite and he stumbled badly at the start. He made a nice run in the stretch but could not quite get to Game Warrior ($40.60). The latter got a nice closing trip under Hector Berrios. He was my underneath key and ran a bit better than expected. Iron Man Cal rallied for the place and Lyle the Crocodile (IRE) hopped at the start and ran on for the show. My top choice Artislas worked out a nice stalking trip but failed to quicken in the stretch and ended up an even fourth. Cali Cat, Day and Age, Incanto (IRE), Kale’s Angel, Bodi Zafa, and Mala completed the order of finish. Peter Miller saddled the winner. Fractions: 23.48, 48.21, 1:12.65, 1:24.68, 1:36.32.
July 18 Claims: Race 1 – Fireman Dan ($16k, Vann Belvoir), Joint Venture ($16k, George Papaprodromou), Mongolian Max ($16k, Paul Aguirre), Ready to Pounce ($16k, Sean Williams), Trusty Rusty ($16k, Librado Barocio). Race 3 – Invincible ($25k, Ryan Hanson), Jarama ($25k, Peter Miller), Toughness ($25k, Jesus Mendoza). Race 6 – Sarwar ($80k, Dan Blacker).
The $1 Pick 6 pool was $208,410 and there were no tickets with six winners. Tickets with five winners paid $10,603.90. There will be a Pick 6 carryover of $127,247 when live racing resumes on Saturday, July 19.
Del Mar Full Card Highlights for Friday (7-18-25)
DMR 1 Ready to Pounce/Trusty Rusty Exacta ($36.60)
*Full card highlights based on $2 wagers unless otherwise noted.
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Del Mar Recap for Saturday (7-19-25)
Fast main track and firm turf course. Three front running sprint winners on dirt (5f, 5.5f, 5f). On the turf course, a stalking favorite graduated at 5f, a 7-1 front runner tallied at 5f, closing favorite Almendares (GB) won the Wickerr at one mile, stalking favorite Thought Process was much the best in the San Clemente (G2) at one mile, and a 7-2 returnee stalked and scored in the flat mile finale.
Hector Berrios and Antonio Fresu both guided home three winners. Phil D’Amato saddled three turf winners (2 turf route stakes) and Fresu rode two. John Sadler saddled two winners on the main track and Berrios rode both.
Del Mar Stakes Recaps for 7-19-25
Wickerr (8T): This turf course usually favors patient runners and that was certainly the case in this flat mile affair. Almendares ($6.60) was the favorite and he was patiently handled under Antonio Fresu and he surged late to beat 14-1 stalker Zio Jo by a length and a quarter. Nineeleventurbo rallied from last to complete the trifecta, and Final Boss set the pace and weakened to fourth. Astronomer, Bran (FR), Endlessly, Air Force Red, Beyond Brilliant, and Watsonville also ran. Phil D’Amato saddled the winner. Fractions: 22.75, 46.17, 1:10.15, 1:22.42, 1:34.57.
Grade 2 San Clemente (8T): Thought Process ($2.80) did not disappoint as the overwhelming favorite. She stalked the pace while keen to run under Hector Berrios, and she could wait no longer and took over and cruised home by 1 3/4 lengths. Casalu stalked the pace and landed the place, and Will Then showed nice late energy in a show finish. Firenze Flavor, Jungle Peace (IRE), As Catch Can, Miso Phansy, Silent Law, and Amorita also ran. Phil D’Amato saddled the winner. Fractions: 23.82, 48.34, 1:12.75, 1:24.42, 1:36.24.
July 19 Claims: Race 2 – Putt for Dough ($10k, Antonio Garcia), Unwritten Code ($10k, Steve Knapp).
The $1 Pick 6 pool was $1,044,905 and tickets with six winners paid $7,287.60. Tickets with five winners paid $60.90.
Del Mar Full Card Highlights for Saturday (7-19-25)
DMR 3 ARRAKIS ($3.80), Trifecta ($65.00)
Double (races 3-4, $9.80)
DMR 5 PROUD STARLET ($17.60), Trifecta ($193.80)
Double (races 4-5, $58.00)
Pick 3 (races 3-5, $170.40)
Double (races 5-6, $157.40)
Pick 3 (races 4-6, $347.20)
Pick 3 (races 5-7, $430.40)
SAR 11 Book’em Danno/Mullikin Exacta ($6.70)
*Full card highlights based on $2 wagers unless otherwise noted.
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Del Mar Recap for Sunday (7-20-25)
Fast main track and firm turf course. One front running winner at one mile on dirt. On the turf course, a closing favorite graduated in the flat mile opener, a 37-1 front runner was strong throughout from the outside post at 5f, a 5-1 stalker won at 1 3/8 miles, a 7-2 midpack stalker scored at 8.5f, 5-2 stalker Medoro captured the Osunitas at one mile, and a 17-1 stalker took the 8.5f finale.
Hat trick for Antonio Fresu. Riding doubles for Ricky Gonzalez (turf), Juan Hernandez (routes), and Umberto Rispoli. On the trainer side, Peter Eurton (turf routes) and Michael McCarthy both saddled two winners.
Del Mar Stakes Recaps for 7-20-25
Osunitas (8T): 23-1 longshot Grand Slam Smile carved out the fractions and almost upset the applecart, but stalker Medoro ($7.60) reeled her in from off the pace and won by 1 3/4 lengths in her first start since December 2024. Grand Slam Smile held the place in a fine effort and Lunar Impact (GB) chased the pace and completed the trifecta. Venganza, Alpha Bella, Queen Maxima, Raw Ability (IRE), Sunset Glory (IRE), Nadette (FR), Omnipontet (BRZ), and Quatro Y Vinte (URU) also ran. Umberto Rispoli rode the winner for Peter Eurton. Fractions: 23.05, 47.12, 1:11.82, 1:23.63, 1:34.88.
July 20 Claims: Race 3 – Caribbean King ($32k, Dan Blacker), Tigerhon ($32k, Peter Miller). Race 4 – Travail ($20k, John Sadler). Race 8 – Broadway Unions ($10k, Sean Williams), Nation ($10k, Lorenzo Campuzano). Race 11 – Margot’s Boy ($25k, Jeff Mullins), Sydney Street ($25k, Ryan Hanson).
The $1 Pick 6 pool was $250,321 and tickets with six winners paid $19,104.30. Tickets with five winners paid $112.00.
Super High 4 Carryover for Thursday, July 24: $20,997.
Del Mar Full Card Highlights for Sunday (7-20-25)
DMR 1 EDGE OF MALI ($4.80)
DMR 5 RASTAMAN VIBE (Price Play, $13.20)
Double (races 5-6, $39.20)
DMR 9 Nation/Broadway Unions/Naismith Trifecta ($36.20)
*Full card highlights based on $2 wagers unless otherwise noted.
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