Del Mar Recap for Thursday (8-28-25)
Fast main track and firm turf course. No front running winners on dirt. On the turf course, a 3-1 closer won at one mile, a stalking favorite graduated at 5f, a stalking favorite scored at 5f, and a 5-1 closing first timer earned his diploma in the flat mile finale (rail at 24 feet).
Antonio Fresu booted home two turf winners.
Aug. 28 Claims: Race 1 – Big Juanito ($10k, Robert Hess, Jr.), Brother Tony ($10k, Francisco Rodriguez). Race 7 – In Suspense ($8k, Troy Dial), Leyas Candy ($8k, Andrew Harris), Where’s the Loot ($10k, Francisco Rodriguez).
The $1 Pick 6 pool was $52,243 and tickets with six winners paid $31,896.80. Tickets with five winners paid $135.10.
Del Mar Full Card Highlights for Thursday (8-28-25)
DMR 1 BIG JUANITO ($3.40), Trifecta ($311.80)
Double (races 1-2, $24.00)
Pick 3 (races 1-3, $264.40)
DMR 6 CAN’T SLEEP (DMR Best Bet, $4.20), Trifecta ($159.00)
DMR 7 WHERE’S THE LOOT ($7.60)
Double (races 6-7, $18.80)
$5 Late Double (races 7-8, $90.50)
$3 Late Pick 3 (races 6-8, $159.00)
*Full card highlights based on $2 wagers unless otherwise noted.
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Del Mar Recap for Friday (8-29-25)
Fast main track and firm turf course. One front running winner at one mile on dirt. On the turf course, a 5-1 stalker won the flat mile opener, a dueling front running favorite graduated at 5f, a closing favorite graduated at one mile, and a 7-1 closer scored from the outside post at 5f (rail at 24 feet).
Hat trick for Antonio Fresu (2 turf route wins). Main track riding double for Juan Hernandez.
Aug. 29 Claims: Race 1 – Corporal Violette ($25k, Mark Rheinford), Dea Matrona ($25k, Richard Baltas), Empress Ellie ($25k, Lorenzo Campuzano), Ro Town ($25k, Sergio Morfin), Super Ellie ($25k, Andy Mathis). Race 2 – Unique Power ($32k, Librado Barocio). Race 4 – Hard to Figure ($25k, Ron Ellis). Race 8 – Gray Frost ($10k, Adan Farias).
The $1 Pick 6 pool was $68,751 and tickets with six winners paid $5,247.10. Tickets with five winners paid $44.30.
Del Mar Full Card Highlights for Friday (8-29-25)
DMR 3 SUNGLOW ($5.20), Exacta ($25.80)
Double (races 3-4, $12.40)
DMR 5 Third Beer/No Joke Antares Exacta ($23.80), Trifecta ($193.60)
Pick 3 (races 3-5, $60.40)
DMR 6 EL DIABLO ROJO (DMR Price Play, $18.40)
Double (races 5-6, $118.40)
Pick 3 (races 4-6, $201.80)
DMR 8 TWILIGHT EMPIRE (DMR Best Bet, $6.00)
$1 Pick 6 (5 of 6, $44.30)
*Full card highlights based on $2 wagers unless otherwise noted.
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Del Mar Recap for Saturday (8-30-25)
Fast main track and firm turf course. No front running winners on dirt. On the turf course, a 5-2 front runner graduated in the flat mile opener, a 9-2 stalker scored at one mile, stalking favorite Formidable Man won the Del Mar Mile (G2), a stalking favorite tallied at one mile, closing favorite Motorious (GB) was placed first through disqualification in the Green Flash (G3) at 5f, and Gold Phoenix (IRE) won the Del Mar Handicap (G2) at 11f for the fourth time.
Hat trick for Flavien Prat (2 turf route wins). Antonio Fresu (sprints) and Umberto Rispoli both guided home two winners. Phil D’Amato saddled two turf stakes winners. Peter Eurton saddled two winners.
Del Mar Stakes Recaps for 8-30-25
Grade 2 Del Mar Mile (8T): Cabo Spirit made the early lead and post time favorite Formidable Man ($4.80) was patiently handled and had the best finishing kick to win by a length and a half. Almendares (GB) stalked the pace and edged Cabo Spirit for the place. Zio Jo, Suchet (FR), and King of Gosford (GB) also ran. Full Serrano (ARG) and Nesso’s Lasthurrah scratched. Formidable Man is 6-for-6 at Del Mar and he is targeting the BC Mile. Umberto Rispoli rode the winner for Michael McCarthy. Fractions: 23.77, 47.08, 1:10.52, 1:22.46, 1:34.20.
Grade 3 Torrey Pines (8f): 26-1 longshot So There She Was set the pace and race favorite Tenma pressed from the inside post. Talented California-bred filly Om N Joy ($10) sat back, moved up around the turn and into the stretch, and finished best of all to win by a half-length. So There She Was completed the exacta in a better than expected effort, and Tenma held the show in her first start since May 2. Howin had an uncomfortable start and finished fourth, and Lolo Le Plume, Allihies, and A Thousand Miles also ran. Kent Desormeaux rode the winner for Aggie Ordones and this was her fifth consecutive victory. Fractions: 22.97, 47.13, 1:11.66, 1:24.30, 1:36.99.
Grade 3 Green Flash Handicap (5T): Reef Runner, an 18-1 Florida shipper, sat back from post 11 under Paco Lopez, rallied in the stretch, and barely held off favorite Motorious to prevail by a nose. Hold all tickets! The inquiry sign was flashing and Reef Runner was disqualified and placed second for causing an early chain reaction bumping incident and costing Motorious a better placing. Motorious ($5.60) was elevated to first for Flavien Prat and Phil D’Amato. Beyond Brilliant rallied from last to pick up the show at 47-1 odds. No Nay Hudson (IRE), Book Smart, Queen Maxima, Sorrento Sky (IRE), Sumter, Boss Sully, Virat, First Peace, and Wound Up completed the order of finish. Motorious missed by a neck in the 2024 BC Turf Sprint and he is targeting that race again. Coppola, Mucho Del Oro, and Re Armed Jon scratched. Fractions: 21.41, 44.06, 55.90.
Grade 1 Pacific Classic (10f): Morning line favorite Nysos scratched due to a minor foot issue and that left multiple Grade 1 winner Fierceness and Journalism, and five overmatched runners. Fierceness broke from the inside post and he veered in sharply and almost went over the temporary rail. His rider Johnny V used all of his strength to straighten him out, and he was keen to go while tracking inside. While all of that was going on, Journalism was allowed to settle and was last of 7 for six furlongs or so. With Nysos out and Journalism at the back of the pack, Fierceness was surrounded by outclassed foes and had this race in the bag. He made a decisive move around the far turn and was quickly 2-1/2 lengths in front with a quarter of a mile to go. Journalism was starting to pick off rivals and tried to make a race of it in the stretch, but this one was over after a mile. Fierceness ($5.20) won by 3 1/4 lengths over clear runner-up finisher Journalism. Ultimate Gamble was a clear third and Indispensable was miles clear of the rest in fourth. Lure Him In, Midnight Mammoth, and Tarantino also ran. Todd Pletcher saddled the winner. Fierceness finished second to Sierra Leone in the 2024 BC Classic and he will return to Del Mar for the big dance on Nov. 1. Fractions: 22.99, 45.84, 1:10.26, 1:35.70, 2:01.00.
Grade 2 Del Mar Handicap (11T): Final Boss was crawling on the front end but he failed to see out the added ground of this race. Race favorite Gold Phoenix ($6.20) won this race in 2022, 2023, and 2024, and he did it again this year. The 7-year-old gelding stalked from midpack and got up by a neck in a mad scramble to the finish. Stay Hot missed by a neck and finished a head in front of Atitlan, and Truly Quality was another nose back in fourth. Mondego (GB), Final Boss, City Exile (GB), Balnikhov (IRE), and Endlessly rounded out the order of finish. Adios Cole and Nitti scratched. Flavien Prat rode the winner for Phil D’Amato. Gold Phoenix was fourth in the BC Turf last fall and figures to compete in that event again. Fractions: 25.05, 50.89, 1:16.51, 1:40.49, 2:04.26, 2:16.09.
Aug. 30 Claims: Race 2 – Coach Cronin ($16k, Mark Glatt), Jaguar Jon ($16k, Steve Miyadi), Wild Recruit ($16k, Robert Hess, Jr.). Race 3 – Mystic Spirit ($20k, Edwin Alvarez).
The $1 Pick 6 pool was $408,386 and tickets with six winners paid $1,529.40. Tickets with five winners paid $22.90.
Del Mar Full Card Highlights for Saturday (8-30-25)
DMR 1 TEMPUS VOLAT ($7.00), Quinella ($9.00)
DMR 2 JAGUAR JON ($4.00)
Double (races 1-2, $15.20)
Double (races 2-3, $21.60)
Pick 3 (races 1-3, $86.60)
Pick 3 (races 2-4, $120.80)
Early Pick 4 (races 2-5, $356.20)
DMR 6 OM N JOY (DMR Price Play, $10.00)
Double (races 5-6, $36.20)
Pick 3 (races 4-6, $181.40)
DMR 7 VIBEZ (DMR Best Bet, $5.40)
Double (races 6-7, $45.00)
Pick 3 (races 5-7, $200.60)
Middle Pick 4 (races 4-7, $1,096.40)
Double (races 7-8, $18.20)
Pick 3 (races 6-8, $154.00)
DMR 9 MOTORIOUS ($5.60)
Double (races 8-9, $18.20)
Pick 3 (races 7-9, $62.40)
Double (races 9-10, $18.20)
Pick 3 (races 8-10, $45.00)
Late Pick 4 (races 8-11, $263.20)
$1 Pick 6 (5 of 6, $22.90)
SAR 10 BELLEZZA ($7.50), Exacta ($95.00), Trifecta ($400.00)
SAR 11 TOMMY JO ($4.00)
*Full card highlights based on $2 wagers unless otherwise noted.
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Del Mar Recap for Sunday (8-31-25)
Fast main track and firm turf course. Three front running winners on dirt (8f, 6f, 6f). On the turf course, a stalking favorite won the flat mile opener, a stalking favorite graduated at 5f, a front running favorite scored at one mile, stalking favorite The Padre captured the Del Mar Derby (G2) at 9f, and a closing favorite won the flat mile finale.
Leading rider Juan Hernandez guided home four winners. Antonio Fresu is second in the rider standings and he booted home three winners on Sunday (2 turf wins). Bob Baffert saddled two main track winners and Hernandez rode both. Phil D’Amato saddled two winners.
Del Mar Stakes Recaps for 8-31-25
Shared Belief (8f dirt): Brother Brother and Privman scratched and we were left with a 3-horse field. Juvenile champ Citizen Bull ($2.80) was the strong favorite and he got clear early and widened throughout in an easy victory by 5 1/2 lengths. Smooth Cruisein chased from second and finish 9 lengths in front of Gaming. Juan Hernandez rode the winner for Bob Baffert and the BC Dirt Mile might be on his radar screen. Fractions: 22.39, 45.88, 1:09.86, 1:22.22, 1:35.12.
Grade 2 Del Mar Derby (9T): Morning line favorite Iron Man Cal scratched due to a leg infection. His stablemate The Padre ($3.40) inherited the role as the favorite and he did not disappoint. He stalked slow fractions and finished with gusto to win by a length over pacesetter Freedom’s Not Free. Oceanside winner Game Warrior stalked inside and finished third, and Geometry and Mythical Reel (IRE) also ran. Umberto Rispoli rode the winner for Phil D’Amato. Fractions: 25.00, 49.67, 1:13.85, 1:37.57, 1:49.23.
Aug. 31 Claims: Race 1 – Tariff ($40k, Jeff Mullins). Race 4 – Gunnin for Gold ($10k, Sally Rivera), Zombo Bombo ($10k, Steve Knapp). Race 5 – Twirling Light ($50k, Leonard Powell).
The $1 Pick 6 pool was $184,675 and tickets with six winners paid $4,902.20. Tickets with five winners paid $42.70.
Del Mar Full Card Highlights for Sunday (8-31-25)
DMR 1 TARIFF ($4.20), Exacta ($13.40), Trifecta ($29.00)
Double (races 1-2, $7.80)
Middle Pick 4 (races 4-7, $709.20)
DMR 9 THE PADRE ($3.40)
Double (races 9-10, $17.40)
DMR 11 KIKURIDE ($4.40)
$3 Late Pick 3 (races 9-11, $106.20)
SAR 10 TWENTY SIX BLACK ($4.60)
*Full card highlights based on $2 wagers unless otherwise noted.
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Del Mar Recap for Monday (9-1-25)
Fast main track and firm turf course. Three front running sprint winners on dirt (6.5f, 8f, 8f). On the turf course, a 6-1 front running first timer graduated at 5f, a 41-1 front runner won at 8.5f, a 4-1 mudpack stalker tallied at one mile, and an 8-1 front runner earned his diploma in the flat mile finale (rail at 12 feet).
Hat trick for leading rider Juan Hernandez (2 dirt route wins). Serafin Carmona booted home two maiden sprint winners. Peter Miller saddled two route winners.
Del Mar Stakes Recaps for 9-1-25
Tranquility Lake (8f): Splendora ($3.60) was the strong favorite and she broke running from the inside post and never let pace chaser One Fast Philly get close to her, and she widened in the stretch and won by 5 1/2 lengths. One Fast Philly never stopped trying and was clearly second best, and Nothing Like You was best of the rest in third. Sun of Hill (BRZ), Sugar Fish, and Ooty (ARG) also ran. Sakura Blossom and Tahini scratched. Juan Hernandez rode the winner for Bob Baffert. Fractions: 22.38, 46.10, 1:09.95, 1:22.15, 1:34.55.
Generous Portion (CA-bred, 5.5f): Liberation was bet down in this event based on her troubled trip last time. She got out of the gate in good order and dueled with 25-1 surface switcher Too Sassy, and the latter surprisingly put away the favorite and upset the field by 3 1/2 lengths. Mohaven stalked inside and landed the place, and Liberation held the show by a neck over What’s a Good Name. 60-1 outsider Lino’s Angel was another neck back in 5th and Tapatia Mia, My Kat, and Jasmine also ran. Umberto Rispoli rode the winner for Sam Scolamieri and she paid $52.20 to win. Fractions: 21.40, 44.66, 57.25, 1:04.02.
Sept. 1 Claims: Race 5 – Nameless ($8k, Genaro Vallejo).
The $1 Pick 6 pool was $305,364 and tickets with six winners paid $186,441.70. Tickets with five winners paid $776.20.
Del Mar Full Card Highlights for Monday (9-1-25)
DMR 1 Strongerthanbefore/Otto’s Magic/Keithing Thunder Trifecta ($94.40)
DMR 2 FULL SERRANO ($2.20), Exacta ($6.00)
Double (races 1-2, $8.60)
DMR 8 Splendora/One Magic Philly Exacta ($6.60), Trifecta ($26.60)
DMR 9 RUSSELLS HUSTLE ($10.00)
Double (races 8-9, $21.60)
SAR 9 Ted Noffey/Buetane Exacta ($25.18)
*Full card highlights based on $2 wagers unless otherwise noted.
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