Daily Picks

Del Mar Picks & Predictions — July 17, 2026

Friday, July 17, 202610 racesDel Mar

It's a beautiful Friday at Del Mar — 79°F, clear skies, and a 10-race card that gives you plenty of reasons to pull up a chair and stay a while. The Pacific breeze is cooperating, conditions are ideal, and the racing surface should play fast all afternoon.

Today's card leans heavily on the grass, with four turf routes and sprints spread across the schedule — including a Stakes mile on the turf in Race 8 that looks like the marquee event of the day. But don't sleep on the dirt either; there are some sharp claiming and allowance spots that TrackWiz analysis has flagged as prime betting opportunities.

Ten races. A wide mix of conditions — claiming races, allowance optionals, maiden events, and that Stakes highlight. Something for every kind of player today.

Best Bets

Race 1

9:00 PM EDT

Claiming · 1 mi · Dirt

A wide-open dirt mile on the claiming ranks, but two horses sit well above the field on TrackWiz ratings — and the morning line favorite isn't one of them.

win4Mighty KaiML 6/1

Mighty Kai (6/1) is our top selection here, carrying the field's highest TrackWiz rating at 82.71 despite being overlooked at 6-1 on the morning line. Trainer Steve M. Sherman sends him out with a 16% career win rate — respectable in this spot — and Tiago Josue Pereira gets the call in the irons. At a mile on the dirt, this looks like a pace scenario that should set up nicely for him to strike in the stretch.

place7Hard to FigureML 8/5

Hard to Figure is the 8/5 chalk and brings the field's best average speed figure at 55, which is a meaningful edge in this claiming field. Trainer George Papaprodromou is a sharp conditioner and Juan J. Hernandez is one of the meet's top pilots — the win is likely, but the 8/5 price makes the place ticket the smarter play if you want to guarantee a return.

show2HabeasML 8/1

Habeas (8/1) holds the third-highest rating in the field at 71.06 and gives trainer Brian J. Koriner a legitimate weapon at a price. With an average speed of 54 and a 14% career win clip, he's no lock, but he's better than his odds suggest and slots in well as a show horse in exacta or trifecta coverage.

Race 2

9:31 PM EDT

Allowance Optional Claiming · 1 1/16 mi · Turf

A small but loaded turf field at 1 1/16 miles where the top three TrackWiz ratings are separated by less than three points — this one could come down to trip and pace.

win2Red CherryML 8/5

Red Cherry is the 8/5 favorite and earns it with a TrackWiz rating of 83.40 — the class of this field. Trainer John W. Sadler is one of the best turf conditioners on the West Coast, and Joel Rosario in the saddle is about as good as it gets at this level. With an average speed of 54, she's competitive on the numbers, and the Sadler-Rosario combo on turf at Del Mar is a connection worth following.

place3Victorious DreamML 6/1

Victorious Dream (6/1) is a genuine value play here, rated just a hair behind Red Cherry at 82.71 and carrying a 25% career win percentage — the highest among horses with a win record in this field. Trainer Michael W. McCarthy is no stranger to turf routes, and Umberto Rispoli is a savvy turf pilot who can find position from just about any part of the field.

show4Struck By HerML 7/2

Struck By Her (7/2) brings the field's top average speed figure at 57, which is a notable advantage in a group where most are clustered at 54-55. Trainer Philip D'Amato is outstanding on turf, and Juan J. Hernandez is a strong booking. At 7/2, she's worth using underneath in trifectas even if she struggles to match the top two on ratings.

Race 3

10:02 PM EDT

Maiden Optional Claiming · 5 1/2 fur · Dirt

A five-and-a-half furlong maiden optional claimer on the dirt — mostly first-time starters and lightly raced runners, making trainer and workout data critical in the absence of a deep form record.

win1Charlie's ClockML 2/1

Charlie's Clock opens as the 2/1 morning line favorite and tops the active field with a TrackWiz rating of 58.33. Trainer Peter Miller has one of the sharpest operations in Southern California and consistently gets his first-timers ready to fire. Juan J. Hernandez is a high-percentage rider who knows how to get a young horse out of the gate cleanly in a short sprint.

place6Billy GoatML 5/2

Billy Goat (5/2) is right behind the top pick with a 57.50 TrackWiz rating and an average speed of 55 — among the better figures in this maiden field. Doug F. O'Neill trains him, and Emisael Jaramillo gets the mount, a solid combination for a debut sprint. He figures to be involved early and could make this a two-horse show at the top of the stretch.

show3Boss Man BoltML 4/1

Boss Man Bolt (4/1) checks in with a 55.00 rating and an average speed of 55, tying for third-best in the field on that metric. Trainer Mick Ruis Sr. knows what he's doing in short maiden sprints, and Armando Ayuso is a capable handler for a first-time starter who needs some early encouragement. A useful show ticket in trifectas.

We're opening the card with three free best bets, and they cover a nice range of race types. Mighty Kai (Race 1, 6/1 morning line) is our top value play in the dirt mile opener — that kind of price in a claiming field deserves a hard look. Red Cherry takes the spotlight in Race 2, an allowance optional claiming turf route where she grades out as the class of the field at 83.4 on the TrackWiz rating scale. And in Race 3, Charlie's Clock draws the top mark among the maiden optional claiming sprinters on dirt — a 2/1 morning line that feels about right given the form.

One thread connecting all three free picks: each figures to benefit from today's firm, fast conditions. The clear weather means no surface surprises, and horses that want to get out and run early should have every advantage. Keep pace scenario in mind — when the track is playing quick, front-runners and stalkers tend to have a real edge over closers who need ground to give way.

Full Card Analysis

Race 4

10:32 PM EDT

Claiming · 5 fur · Turf

Five furlongs on the turf with a clear class standout hiding in plain sight at 6-1 — this is the kind of pace-dependent sprint where the best number doesn't always lead at every call.

win7Gregory's PrideML 6/1

Gregory's Pride (6/1) owns the field's top TrackWiz rating by a sizable margin at 82.71, yet the morning line has him at 6/1 — that's a mismatch our analysis can't ignore. Trainer Philip D'Amato is one of the premier turf trainers in the country, and Antonio Fresu gets the riding assignment. In a sprint on the turf, pace scenario matters, but a horse this far ahead on ratings with this trainer is a strong play regardless of price.

place3Alphabetical OrderML 6/1

Alphabetical Order (6/1) enters with a 65.40 rating and brings an eye-catching 41% career win percentage — among the highest in the field. Trainer Jesus J. Uranga has him primed with an average speed of 57 matching the top horses on that metric. At 6/1, the value is legitimate for a horse who wins nearly half the time he shows up.

show5Nasty HabitML 4/1

Nasty Habit (4/1) rates at 63.12 and posts an average speed of 56, putting him squarely in the mix on the numbers. Trainer Peter Miller's operation consistently produces sharp efforts in turf sprints, and Hector Isaac Berrios has been a reliable rider on the Southern California circuit. He's the type who can sneak into the trifecta at a workable price.

Race 5

11:02 PM EDT

Maiden Special Weight · 5 fur · Dirt

A wide-open maiden special weight sprint on the dirt — four scratches thin the field, but the remaining runners are evenly matched enough to make this a tricky puzzle for even seasoned handicappers.

win4Looks Like N AngelML 7/2

Looks Like N Angel (7/2) tops our selections with a 55.83 TrackWiz rating and gets Emisael Jaramillo up for trainer Peter Eurton — a combination that fires at a solid clip in maiden sprints. While career stats are blank (first-time starter profile), the workout patterns and trainer reputation carry real weight here. She gets the nod as the most complete package in a field where separating horses is genuinely difficult.

place3Tijuana MoneyML 4/1

Tijuana Money (4/1) brings the field's best average speed figure at 57 among the active runners, which is a meaningful edge in a maiden sprint where raw pace matters. Peter Miller trains her, which alone is worth noting — he leads the meet's top conditioners and his first-timers regularly hit the board. Kazushi Kimura is a polished jockey who gets horses into rhythm early in short dashes.

show6Rosa's MiracleML 4/1

Rosa's Miracle (4/1) gets the Joel Rosario-John W. Sadler combination, and that's a pairing worth respecting in any race at any level. Sadler is one of the most accomplished trainers in California, and Rosario is capable of finding a spot in traffic and timing a run in a sprint. Her 55.00 rating ties Tijuana Money and gives her every right to hit the board.

Race 6

11:32 PM EDT

Allowance Optional Claiming · 1 1/16 mi · Turf

A full, sprawling turf field at 1 1/16 miles where one horse stands dramatically clear of the rest on TrackWiz ratings — the question is whether a crowded pace scenario gives the field a shot to run him down.

win13First PeaceML 3/1

First Peace (3/1) is the clear top selection here, boasting a 87.08 TrackWiz rating that outpaces every other horse in this 13-runner field by a significant margin. He also carries an average speed of 59 — notably higher than any rival — and a 29% career win percentage that speaks to consistent form. Trainer Mark Glatt and jockey Mike E. Smith are a proven tandem at Del Mar, and this looks like a prime setup for the class of the field to deliver.

place6Game WarriorML 8/1

Game Warrior (8/1) is a genuine value play underneath at a price that shouldn't be this generous. His 69.76 TrackWiz rating is second only to First Peace in this field, and trainer Peter Miller has him in a spot where the class level invites a big effort. At 8/1 in the morning line, he's easy to use in exactas and trifectas — and if First Peace gets into trouble, he's got the rating to steal the show.

show7Charlie's to BlameML 4/1

Charlie's to Blame (4/1) sits third in our ratings at 64.48 and has the Peter Eurton-Armando Ayuso combo working in his corner. His average speed of 54 is consistent with the bulk of this turf field, meaning he won't be outrun on the numbers. In a field this deep, the third spot is a natural landing for a horse with his profile — use him confidently in the trifecta.

Race 7

12:02 AM EDT

Claiming · 1 mi · Dirt

A one-mile dirt claimer with a pair of elite-rated horses sitting well above a muddled mid-pack — pace figures to be honest, which should set things up for the closers.

win3Hondo CrouchML 7/2

Hondo Crouch (7/2) leads all runners with a 86.35 TrackWiz rating, though his 5% career win percentage is a flag worth noting — this is a horse who has the ability but has found ways to lose. Trainer George Papaprodromou is sharp and Abel Lezcano is a capable pilot who should give him every chance. At 7/2, the price is fair for the top-rated horse in the field, and a one-mile dirt route could finally be the right setup.

place5RedialML 4/1

Redial (4/1) comes in with a 83.64 rating — second only to Hondo Crouch — and that kind of rating gap over the rest of the field is real. Trainer Ian Kruljac has him going with Hector Isaac Berrios in the saddle, a jockey who has been effective at getting horses into position at the mile. His 14% career win rate is modest but respectable for a claiming route, and he's the natural exacta partner to our top pick.

show8SkyquistML 8/1

Skyquist (8/1) is the third-highest rated active horse in this field at 67.22 and brings a 33% career win percentage that stands out in a claiming field. Trainer Patrick Gallagher has him primed, and Ricardo Gonzalez gets the mount. He's not a lock at 8/1, but the numbers say he belongs in the mix, and he's a strong show play in the trifecta.

Race 8

12:32 AM EDT

Stakes · 1 mi · Turf

A 12-horse stakes field on the turf mile where the top three horses on TrackWiz ratings are bunched closely — this shapes up as a contentious contest with no clear wire-to-wire type.

win1IriseachML 8/1

Iriseach (8/1) leads all runners with a 79.79 TrackWiz rating in a field that bunches up quickly behind him. Trainer Philip D'Amato is one of the finest turf conditioners in the country, and the 16% career win rate in a stakes setting is respectable. Umberto Rispoli is a proven turf pilot who excels at finding the right spot in a multi-horse field — at 8/1 in a stakes, this is a best-bet level value.

place8Charlie's CurlinML 6/1

Charlie's Curlin (6/1) rates at 78.21 — just a tick off the top — and brings the Juan J. Hernandez-Jeff Mullins combination to the table. Mullins is an accomplished trainer at this level, and Hernandez consistently finds ways to be in the right place at the right time on the turf. His average speed of 55 is right in the pack, making the pace scenario crucial, but he's got the form to be right there at the wire.

show4ProletariatML 8/1

Proletariat (8/1) checks in at 70.79 on our ratings and brings an impressive 50% career win percentage — the highest among horses with a win record in this field. Jeff Mullins trains him as well, giving the barn two legitimate weapons in this race. Kyle Frey gets the mount, and at 8/1, Proletariat is the type of deep closer who can sneak into the trifecta when the pace gets honest.

Race 9

1:02 AM EDT

Allowance Optional Claiming · 6 1/2 fur · Dirt

A six-and-a-half furlong allowance optional claimer on the dirt where two horses are deadlocked at the top of the ratings — and neither is the morning line favorite.

win10Another BulleitML 6/1

Another Bulleit (6/1) tops our ratings at 82.71 alongside Matt At Five, but we give the edge to the #10 based on pace profile and trainer angle. Trainer Paula S. Capestro sends him out with Hector Isaac Berrios in the irons, a strong pairing for a sprint-distance allowance race. His average speed of 56 is right in line with the best horses in the field, and at 6/1, he represents a genuine overlay worth backing.

place4Matt At FiveML 3/1

Matt At Five (3/1) is the morning line favorite and earns that respect with an 82.13 TrackWiz rating and an elite 40% career win percentage — the second-best among horses with a win record in this field. Trainer Peter Miller is one of the sharpest conditioners in California, and Joel Rosario is among the top riders in the country. He's a deserving chalk and the natural exacta partner regardless of order.

show3Clever CloverML 20/1

Clever Clover is a genuine longshot to land on the board at 20/1, but her 58.92 TrackWiz rating suggests she's more competitive than the odds imply — potentially the best-priced horse in the race on a ratings-to-odds basis. She brings a 23% career win rate and an average speed of 56 that matches the top horses in the field. Trainer Isidro Tamayo and Diego A. Herrera make a workable combo, and if the pace gets chaotic, she's a live show ticket at a big price.

Race 10

1:32 AM EDT

Maiden Special Weight · 1 mi · Turf

A maiden special weight mile on the turf with a deep field of first-time starters and lightly raced runners — trainer pedigree and speed figures from workouts take center stage when past performances are thin.

win4Pentle BayML 5/1

Pentle Bay (5/1) headlines our card with the field's top TrackWiz rating at 83.42 and gets the Antonio Fresu-Simon Callaghan combination — Callaghan is a respected conditioner with a solid record developing young turf horses. While first-time starter stats are unavailable, the 54 average speed figure and the elite rating suggest she's ready to run a big race first out. At 5/1, she offers genuine value for the top-rated horse in the field.

place9Ulysses RoseML 7/2

Ulysses Rose (7/2) is the morning line co-favorite and rates second in the field at 77.17, giving trainer Michael W. McCarthy and jockey Juan J. Hernandez a strong-looking entry. McCarthy is exceptional with turf route maidens, and Hernandez consistently delivers in these spots. An average speed of 54 gives her the raw numbers to compete, and the morning line suggests the connections feel she's close to ready.

show2Golden HopeML 12/1

Golden Hope (12/1) is the best value play on the board in this race, rated at 64.58 — third-highest in the field — yet going off at 12/1 on the morning line. Trainer Vladimir Cerin has her primed with Emisael Jaramillo in the irons, and an average speed of 55 puts her right in contention on the figures. At three times the morning line price of Ulysses Rose with a comparable figures profile, she's an excellent show ticket and an intriguing exacta overlay.

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Clear skies, fast surfaces, and a 10-race card headlined by a juicy Stakes turf mile — Del Mar is delivering today. Our free best bets are Mighty Kai, Red Cherry, and Charlie's Clock to get you started. For the full card including Iriseach's longshot case in Race 8 and our complete exotic ticket strategy, subscribers have everything they need waiting inside. Not a subscriber yet? Check out our plans at TrackWiz Premium and don't miss a race.

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