Daily Picks

Del Mar Picks & Predictions — July 24, 2026

Friday, July 24, 20268 racesDel Mar

It's a beautiful Friday at the seaside — 79°F, clear skies, and a firm turf course that should play fast all afternoon. Del Mar is serving up an 8-race card today that mixes maiden sprints, a pair of turf routes, and a Stakes centerpiece that's worth building your day around.

The mix of surfaces keeps things interesting: four races on the turf and four on the dirt, so pace scenarios are going to shift dramatically from race to race. That kind of card rewards sharp ticket-building and punishes one-size-fits-all approaches. Today's the kind of day where preparation pays off.

Three races are open to everyone — and they include a genuine longshot angle worth knowing about. The premium side of the card is where the deep value lives, highlighted by a Stakes race featuring one of the highest-rated horses in today's entire field.

Best Bets

Race 1

9:00 PM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 5 fur · Dirt

A wide-open maiden claimer over five furlongs on dirt, where TrackWiz ratings reveal a pair of standouts separated from the rest of the field — but with all runners carrying zero career wins, anything can happen first time out.

win6Winsor GeorgeML 7/2

Winsor George draws our top TrackWiz rating in the field at 55.83 and comes in at a manageable 7/2 morning line, representing solid value for a horse we like this much. Trainer Jorge Periban sends him out with Emisael Jaramillo in the irons — a sharp booking that signals connections believe this one is ready. Without a recorded speed figure, we're projecting forward off workout shape and rating, but that rating advantage over most rivals here is hard to ignore at this price.

place9The Moe ShowML 4/1

The Moe Show slots in right behind our top pick with a 55.00 TrackWiz rating and an average speed figure of 54, giving him actual timed work to lean on. Trainer Steven Miyadi also saddles Bo Diddley, suggesting he's throwing multiple darts in this spot — and Miyadi with Joel Rosario up is a combination worth respecting. At 4/1, the place price should be fair or better.

show4Bo DiddleyML 6/1

Bo Diddley rounds out the TrackWiz trifecta at a rating of 51.67 and shares that average speed figure of 54 with several rivals, but the Miyadi barn sending two horses suggests he genuinely likes his chances in this race. Tyler Baze is a savvy veteran who can put a horse in good position early in a sprint, which matters over a short five-furlong trip. At 6/1, Bo Diddley offers solid show value and makes a logical exotic inclusion.

Race 2

9:31 PM EDT

Maiden Special Weight · 5 fur · Turf

This five-furlong turf maiden special weight is dominated by one horse whose TrackWiz rating towers over the rest of the field by a wide margin, though a trio of contenders cluster closely enough to make the exotics interesting.

win10Seeking AttentionML 5/2

Seeking Attention is in a class of her own here, posting a TrackWiz rating of 87.81 — more than 30 points clear of the next-closest competitor. Trainer Peter Eurton is a proven grass conditioner at the Southern California meets, and an average speed figure of 57 is among the best in the race. At 5/2, she's appropriately favored but not drastically overlaid — our analysis says she's the right horse to beat.

place7High Society UML 3/1

High Society U brings a 56.67 TrackWiz rating and the same 57 average speed figure as the top pick, making her the strongest alternative in the field. Trainer Michael W. McCarthy has an excellent record placing lightly raced horses competitively, and Umberto Rispoli is one of the best turf pilots in Southern California. At 3/1, the place price is workable if you're building around Seeking Attention in exactas.

show4First Or LastML 7/2

First Or Last checks in at a 55.83 TrackWiz rating with a 56 average speed figure, and trainer Doug O'Neill also saddles Little Opal — two-horse attacks from O'Neill often mean at least one runs big. Antonio Fresu gets the mount and is capable of stealing a good position on the turf course early. At 7/2, First Or Last rounds out a logical top three and is worth including underneath in your tickets.

Race 3

10:02 PM EDT

Starter Optional Claiming · 1 mi · Dirt

A starter optional claimer going a flat mile on dirt that features a genuine overlay at the top of the TrackWiz ratings — the morning line severely underestimates the horse our model likes best, setting up a potential value win.

win8Tulavia's WorldML 10/1

Tulavia's World leads all starters with a 76.88 TrackWiz rating and a 20% career win rate — the best strike rate in the field — yet is listed at 10/1 on the morning line, which looks like a significant pricing error. Trainer Hector O. Palma has this one firing a 55 average speed figure, matching the top mark in the race. Tiago Josue Pereira takes the mount, and if he can place this horse in a forward position on the pace, the pedigree of upsets at value prices is exactly what TrackWiz lives to find.

place4Crazy CamiML 3/1

Crazy Cami has the second-highest TrackWiz rating at 70.64 and runs for trainer Michael W. McCarthy, who consistently gets horses ready to fire first time into a spot like this. The 55 average speed figure is at the top of the pack, and Emisael Jaramillo is an inspired booking. A 3/1 morning line reflects the market's respect, but her 4% career win rate suggests this one may run just off the board more often than not — making her ideal place material.

show6PhotogenicML 7/2

Photogenic rates third on our figures at 66.55 with a 14% career win rate, adding a layer of consistency that the top two can't quite match in terms of past winning ability. Juan J. Hernandez is aboard for trainer Leonard Powell, and while the 52 average speed figure is the lowest among the top contenders, Photogenic's overall profile suggests she can be competitive around one turn on dirt. At 7/2, the show price gives you a reasonable return if the top two hold their positions.

Our three free races today span both surfaces and all three class levels — maiden claiming, maiden special weight, and a starter optional claiming — giving every bettor something to dig into before the paywall kicks in. Winsor George opens the card in a 5-furlong dirt maiden claimer at a workable 7/2 morning line. Over in Race 2, Seeking Attention draws our strongest free-race rating (87.81) going 5 furlongs on the turf in a maiden special weight — that kind of top-line score on a grass sprint in ideal conditions is exactly the profile we target.

Don't sleep on Tulavia's World in Race 3. A 10/1 morning line in a starter optional claiming mile on the dirt is the kind of overlooked price that can anchor a Pick 3 at strong value. The clean weather and expected fast track should keep things honest on the front end across all three of these races — no excuse for pace collapses today.

Full Card Analysis

Race 4

10:32 PM EDT

Claiming · 1 1/8 mi · Turf

A turf claiming route at a mile and an eighth that features two legitimate class horses well clear of the field on our ratings — this one shapes up as a top-two fight with the rest playing for show.

win5City ExileML 5/2

City Exile is the clear standout here, carrying a 87.81 TrackWiz rating and a 33% career win rate — the kind of profile that wins claiming races at will. Trainer George Papaprodromou, who also saddles Balladeer, clearly likes this one more, as evidenced by the 5/2 morning line and the Umberto Rispoli booking. An average speed figure of 55 ties for the top mark in the race, and on turf at this distance, Rispoli's patient style is a genuine asset.

place6Lord BullingdonML 3/1

Lord Bullingdon is the main danger at a 79.92 TrackWiz rating and a 22% career win rate, representing solid class in his own right. Ricardo Gonzalez takes the mount for trainer Steve M. Sherman, and the 54 average speed figure suggests he's been working up to a race like this. At 3/1, he'll likely run second to City Exile more often than he wins, making him the natural place horse on the ticket.

show3Uncle HappyML 8/1

Uncle Happy stands out as the value show play here, posting a 50.64 TrackWiz rating alongside an impressive 29% career win rate — the second-best strike rate in the field. Joel Rosario is a Hall of Fame-caliber jockey who can get every ounce out of a horse in a route, and at 8/1, the price is generous for a horse with that kind of winning history. He's the safest show hedge and a worthwhile exotic piece at his number.

Race 5

11:02 PM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

Six furlongs on dirt for maiden claimers, and the TrackWiz model separates two standouts well clear of the rest — but the field is deep enough that pace dynamics over six furlongs could scramble the order.

win8Duke of OrleansML 4/1

Duke of Orleans posts a field-best 85.62 TrackWiz rating and gets Joel Rosario in the irons — arguably the best jockey on the card that day. Trainer Francisco Rodriguez spots him here with a 53 average speed figure that's competitive but not dominant, which means the rating edge is driven by other factors our model weighs heavily. At 4/1, he's attractively priced for a horse with this kind of composite profile, and Rosario's ability to rate a horse and find the right spot over six furlongs is a genuine asset.

place11My Man Joe RoldanML 6/1

My Man Joe Roldan is the other big-figure horse at 81.30 and comes in with a 54 average speed figure in a race where the average speed range is tight. Trainer Alfredo P. Marquez sends him in with Hector Isaac Berrios, a capable pilot who's been finding the board consistently. At 6/1, the place price is excellent for a horse our model rates this highly — he belongs right behind Duke of Orleans in your horizontal tickets.

show3Fighting ThunderML 10/1

Fighting Thunder rates third in the field at 72.66 on the TrackWiz scale, with a 54 average speed figure that puts him squarely in contention on the figures. Edwin A. Maldonado has the mount for trainer Craig Anthony Lewis, and if the pace scenario favors a closer, Fighting Thunder's profile sets him up to pick up the pieces late over six furlongs. At 10/1, he's the clear value show play in what could be a contentious sprint.

Race 6

11:32 PM EDT

Allowance Optional Claiming · 5 fur · Turf

Five furlongs on the turf in an allowance optional claiming sprint that sets up as a genuine value race — the horse with the highest TrackWiz rating is listed at 6/1, offering meaningful overlay potential against a deep, competitive field.

win4GabaldonML 6/1

Gabaldon tops the TrackWiz leaderboard for this race at 82.71 and brings a 28% career win rate to go with it — a consistently productive horse at this level. The 58 average speed figure ties for the best mark in the field, and Emisael Jaramillo gets the mount for trainer Jose Francisco D'Angelo in what looks like a career-best spot. At 6/1 morning line for the highest-rated horse in the race, this is the type of overlay that separates sharp bettors from the crowd.

place8Lonesome StewML 5/1

Lonesome Stew is the most impressive resume horse in this spot, carrying a 50% career win rate — a genuinely eye-catching number — alongside a 78.66 TrackWiz rating. Trainer Mark Glatt spots him well on the five-furlong turf course where short sprinters with tactical speed can be lethal, and Antonio Fresu is a polished turf rider. At 5/1, the place price is reasonable for a horse who wins half the time he runs.

show1ViratML 4/1

Virat rounds out the TrackWiz top three with a 69.09 rating and a 25% career win rate, making him the third-most productive winner in the field. Trainer Dan Blacker hands the reins to Hector Isaac Berrios, and that 58 average speed figure ties the top mark in the race — meaning he can keep pace with the leaders through the short five-furlong trip. At 4/1, he's the morning-line favorite's closest competition on our numbers, offering solid show insurance in exacta and trifecta legs.

Race 7

12:02 AM EDT

Stakes · 7 fur · Dirt

A full stakes field of twelve over seven furlongs on dirt, anchored by a heavy favorite who's hard to beat on our ratings — but at 8/5, value seekers will need to find live longshots underneath to make the exotics pay.

win8MohavenML 8/5

Mohaven is the top-rated horse on the card today at 89.12 and carries a 50% career win rate, making her as close to a lock as you'll find in a stakes race. Trainer John W. Sadler is one of the premier conditioners at Del Mar and has a strong record with talented distaffers, and Emisael Jaramillo is a confident booking. At 8/5, the price is short but our model respects it — she's the foundation of every ticket in this race.

place11LiberationML 8/1

Liberation also runs for the Sadler barn and brings a commanding 50% career win rate alongside a 76.14 TrackWiz rating, making her the natural backup to the favorite in a race where the trainer fields two legitimate options. Joel Rosario gets the mount, and the 54 average speed figure from the rail-adjacent post is workable over seven furlongs. At 8/1, the place price is attractive enough to make exactas with Mohaven a strong consideration.

show6She's No QuantML 3/1

She's No Quant is impossible to ignore with a 66% career win rate — the highest in the field — and a 71.33 TrackWiz rating that puts her solidly in the top tier of contenders. Juan J. Hernandez is an excellent booking for trainer Edward R. Freeman, and a 57 average speed figure is the best mark among the non-Sadler horses. At 3/1, she's the logical show play and a key piece in trifecta tickets underneath the top two.

Race 8

12:32 AM EDT

Maiden Special Weight · 1 mi · Turf

A full eleven-horse maiden special weight field going a mile on the turf, where TrackWiz has a clear top pick separated from the pack by a wide margin — but the field includes an intriguing double-digit longshot worth a flier.

win9Flash of LightningML 7/2

Flash of Lightning sits atop the TrackWiz ratings at 86.35, a commanding figure in a maiden field where the next-closest competitor checks in at 64.02. Trainer Richard Baltas is one of the sharpest turf trainers at the Southern California meets, and Juan J. Hernandez gets the mount — a pair that has produced winners consistently on grass. At 7/2, the morning line reflects the market's respect, and our model says that respect is warranted.

place8High KingML 12/1

High King is the sneaky value play at a 64.02 TrackWiz rating and a 12/1 morning line — a price that looks generous given how cleanly he separates from the remainder of the field. Trainer Gary Stute sends him out with Antonio Fresu, who is adept at navigating a full field on the turf course. A 55 average speed figure matches the field average and suggests he has enough raw ability to collect a check at a nice price.

show7Benny's PuzzleML 4/1

Benny's Puzzle comes in third on our ratings at 62.83 with a 54 average speed figure, and trainer Jorge Gutierrez hands the reins to Hector Isaac Berrios, who rides aggressively enough to sit close to the pace over a mile on turf. At 4/1, he's the most attractively priced of the second tier, and including him as the show leg of a trifecta behind Flash of Lightning and High King gives you a ticket with real payout potential.

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A clear afternoon, a fast track, and eight races with something for every bankroll — today's Del Mar card is exactly the kind of day we look forward to. Seeking Attention is our top free-race play, Tulavia's World is the longshot angle to watch, and Mohaven tops the premium side as the most highly-rated horse on the card. Full analysis, exotic tickets, and pace projections for Races 4 through 8 are available to TrackWiz subscribers — head to /pricing to unlock the complete card.

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