Del Mar Recap for Thursday (8-21-25)
Fast main track and firm turf course. One front running winner at one mile on dirt. Horses chasing from second won the other three main track events. On the turf course, a 36-1 front runner upset the second race at 5f, a stalking favorite graduated at 5f, a dueling 9-2 front runner tallied at 5f, and a closing favorite captured the finale at 1 1/16 miles (rail at 30 feet).
Antonio Fresu (sprints) and Umberto Rispoli both guided home two winners.
Aug. 21 Claims: Race 3 – Thirsty Trickster ($16k, Robert Hess, Jr.). Race 5 – Issa Court ($20k, John Sadler).
The $1 Pick 6 pool was $89,787 and tickets with six winners paid $521.60. Tickets with five winners paid $10.20.
Del Mar Full Card Highlights for Thursday (8-21-25)
DMR 3 Thirsty Trickster/Liquid Spirit/Perfect Life Trifecta ($276.60)
DMR 4 CARA ROSE ($3.60)
Double (races 3-4, $13.40)
Double (races 4-5, $18.00)
Pick 3 (races 3-5, $55.40)
DMR 6 NO CAP (DMR Price Play, $11.40)
Double (races 5-6, $38.20)
Pick 3 (races 4-6, $71.80)
DMR 7 IMPOSSIBLE TASK ($5.80)
Double (races 6-7, $26.20)
Pick 3 (races 5-7, $83.80)
DMR 8 TRUSTY RUSTY ($4.40)
$5 Late Double (races 7-8, $38.00)
$3 Late Pick 3 (races 6-8, $115.20)
Late Pick 4 (races 5-8, $241.40)
Late Pick 5 (races 4-8, $656.60)
$1 Pick 6 (5 of 6, $10.20)
*Full card highlights based on $2 wagers unless otherwise noted.
—————
Del Mar Recap for Friday (8-22-25)
Fast main track and firm turf course. Two front running sprint winners on dirt (6.5f, 5.5f). On the turf course, a stalking favorite graduated in the flat mile opener, a front running favorite graduated at 5f, and an 8-1 closer won at one mile (rail at 30 feet).
Hector Berrios booted home a pair. Luis Mendez saddled a pair of juvenile maiden sprint winners and both favorites wired the field.
Aug. 22 Claims: Race 1 – Goatski ($50k, Steve Sherman). Race 2 – Carmen Miranda ($25k. Steve Knapp), Emirates Affair ($25k, Robert Hess, Jr.), Stay in Line ($25k, Andy Mathis). Race 5 – Catmansue ($50k, Doug O’Neill). Race 7 – Cathal ($40k, Sergio Morfin). Race 8 – Ready to Dare ($12.5k, Jesus Uranga).
The $1 Pick 6 pool was $94,965 and there were no tickets with six winners. Tickets with five winners paid $1,448.30, and there will be a Pick 6 carryover of $57,980 when live racing resumes on Saturday, Aug. 23.
Del Mar Full Card Highlights for Friday (8-22-25)
DMR 1 GOATSKI ($2.80)
DMR 2 Stay in Line/Emirates Affair Exacta ($11.60)
Double (races 1-2, $12.60)
DMR 3 ARKADELPHIA ($3.60)
Double (races 2-3, $15.00)
Pick 3 (races 1-3, $23.60)
SAR 3 IRON ORCHARD ($3.50)
SAR 9 AWESOME CZECH ($13.40), Exacta ($28.60)
*Full card highlights based on $2 wagers unless otherwise noted.
—————
Del Mar Recap for Saturday (8-23-25)
Fast main track and firm turf course. One front running winner at one mile on dirt. On the turf course, a last-to-first closer won as the favorite at 1 1/16 miles, a 7-2 midpack stalker scored at 5f, a 10-1 midpack stalker graduated at 1 1/16 miles, an even money stalker won at 5f, and a 7-1 closer tallied at one mile (rail at 18 feet).
Hat trick for Kazushi Kimura (2 turf wins). Umberto Rispoli guided home two winners on dirt.
Del Mar Stakes Recaps for 8-23-25
Grade 2 Pat O’Brien (7f): Awesome Rhythm, Man O Rose, and Tapalo scratched and each of those runners figured to impact the pace. Six horses broke from the gate and stablemates Speed Boat Beach and Maymun carved out the fractions. Dr. Venkman stalked from the rail and my top choice Stronghold stalked wide. It came down to the latter duo and Dr. Venkman ($7.40) won by a half-length with a ground saving trip. Stronghold, making his first start since January, settled for the place and might have been best if you factor in lost ground. Express Train rallied wide to land the show in a decent effort. Maymun weakened to 4th and Speed Boat Beach was 5th as the beaten chalk. Spirit of Makena pulled up and left the track on the equine ambulance. Umberto Rispoli rode the winner for Mark Glatt. Fractions: 22.53, 44.87, 1:08.83, 1:21.53.
Aug. 23 Claims: Race 2 – Let Seamus Go ($25k, Mark Glatt), Spearfish ($25k, Javier Sierra). Race 3 – Contrary Chieftain ($20k, Tim McCanna), Father Delay ($20k, Lorenzo Campuzano), Left Hand Man ($20k, Peter Miller). Race 4 – Coralgableskaylin ($25k, Isidro Tamayo), Velocious ($25k, Robertino Diodoro).
The $1 Pick 6 pool was $481,820 and tickets with six winners paid $70,431.80. Tickets with five winners paid $323.90.
Del Mar Full Card Highlights for Saturday (8-23-25)
DMR 1 INTREPIDO ($6.80), Trifecta ($47.60)
Double (races 1-2, $17.80)
*Full card highlights based on $2 wagers unless otherwise noted.
Saratoga Full Card Highlights for Saturday (8-23-25)
SAR 1 BOTTAS ($6.90), Exacta ($23.20), Trifecta ($70.00)
Double (races 1-2, $18.00)
SAR 5 Annascaul/Alpine Giant/Silsbee Trifecta (SAR Price Play, $193.00)
SAR 7 May Day Ready/Play With Fire Exacta (SAR Best Bet, $12.20), Trifecta ($30.20)
SAR 8 GALLANT GRETA (SAR Best Bet, $5.10)
Double (races 7-8, $17.40)
Pick 3 (races 6-8, $65.00)
Double (races 8-9, $13.20)
Pick 3 (races 7-9, $46.40)
Pick 3 (races 8-10, $39.60)
Pick 4 (races 10-13, $91.48)
$1 Pick 6 (races 8-13) – 5 of 6 – $5.30
Pick 4 (races 11-14, $78.00)
Pick 5 (races 10-14, $366.48)
*Full card highlights based on $2 wagers unless otherwise noted.
—————
Del Mar Recap for Sunday (8-24-25)
Fast main track and firm turf course. Four front running winners on dirt (8f, 6.5f, 6f, 6f). The other main track winner chased from second. On the turf course, a 5-1 front runner scored at 8.5f, a front running favorite graduated at 5f, a 40-1 last-to-first closer earned her diploma at 5f, and a 10-1 closer went last-to-first in the flat mile finale (rail at 18 feet).
Richard Baltas saddled two sprint winners.
Del Mar Stakes Recaps for 8-24-25
Grade 3 Rancho Bernardo (6.5f dirt): Visually scratched and four horses broke from the gate. Sweet Azteca ($2.80) was the overwhelming favorite and the fractions were fast, and she turned away 1.70-1 presser Formula Rossa and scored by 3 1/2 lengths. Formula Rossa was second best and Chismosa was a clear third. Donttellourwives trailed. Juan Hernandez rode the winner for Richard Baltas and she might not run again until the BC Filly & Mare Sprint. Fractions: 21.82, 43.81, 1:08.53, 1:15.44.
Aug. 24 Claims: Race 6 – Robarando ($10k, Jerry Wallace II), Youramystyle ($10k, Cynthia Kelley). Race 9 – Don’t Swear Dave ($25k, Robert Hess Jr.), Hurricane Cloud ($25k, Lorenzo Campuzano), Sketchy ($25k, Antonio Garcia).
The $1 Pick 6 pool was $158,376 and tickets with six winners paid $96,698.30. Tickets with five winners paid $805.80.
Del Mar Full Card Highlights for Sunday (8-24-25)
DMR 1 Westwood/Penalty Box Exacta ($7.20)
DMR 2 SWEET AZTECA ($2.80), Trifecta ($5.00)
Double (races 1-2, $6.00)
Double (races 2-3, $22.60)
Pick 3 (races 1-3, $52.40)
DMR 5 Will Happen/Umbralle/Camila Catalina Trifecta ($101.00)
SAR 8 RHETORICAL ($2.90), Exacta ($8.40)
*Full card highlights based on $2 wagers unless otherwise noted.
Please visit The Runaway Horse Shop to purchase my Del Mar full cards.
