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Del Mar Picks & Predictions — August 2, 2026

August 2, 202610 racesAll Del Mar picks

This card ran on August 2, 2026.

Best bets at Del Mar, August 2, 2026

Race 13EssosML 4/15:00 PM EDT

Race 2 is free with an account, and the other 8 races are for members.

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Sunday at Del Mar doesn't get much better than this. Clear skies, 80 degrees, a cool ocean breeze rolling off the Pacific — the kind of afternoon that makes you remember why this track bills itself as "Where the Turf Meets the Surf." Conditions are about as close to ideal as you'll find anywhere in the country right now.

We've got a full 10-race card to dig into, mixing maiden fields, allowance company, claiming ranks, and a stakes race that gives the afternoon a genuine centerpiece. The surface split is interesting today — five races on the dirt, four on the turf, and one of those turf routes stretching out to 1 1/16 miles in Race 8. Plenty of angles to work from every direction.

Three races are open to all TrackWiz readers today. The premium full-card breakdown — covering Races 4 through 10 — is available to subscribers. Let's get into it.

Best Bets

Race 1

5:00 PM EDT

Maiden Special Weight · 1 mi · Dirt

A maiden special weight mile on dirt with two Baffert runners splitting the market and a Mark Glatt longshot sitting atop the TrackWiz ratings — the board says favorites, but the numbers say something different.

win3EssosML 4/1

Essos draws our top rating at 60.04 — the highest in the field — despite going off at 4/1 on the morning line, which makes this a legitimate overlay if the price holds. Joel Rosario is one of the sharpest riders in the country and his presence in the irons for Mark Glatt is a meaningful combination in a maiden special weight. The average speed figure of 54 is modest but competitive in this spot, and with Rosario likely rating off any early pace pressure, this horse should get a clean trip around one mile on the dirt.

place5CollmusML 8/5

Collmus is the morning-line favorite at 8/5 and comes from the powerful Baffert barn, which gives any first-timer instant credibility at this level. No average speed figure is listed, which often means a debut runner whose workouts have impressed connections enough to send them out at MSW level — Baffert doesn't run maiden claimers with horses he believes in. Juan J. Hernandez gets the call and he knows how to rate a horse on debut, so a place finish at minimum feels like a reasonable expectation.

show2NewtonML 2/1

Newton is the other Baffert horse in the field at 2/1 on the morning line, giving the barn a strong one-two punch. With an average speed figure of 55 — marginally better than Essos — Newton is far from outclassed, and Emisael Jaramillo riding for Baffert is always a live ticket. If the two Baffert horses split votes in the wagering, Newton could offer a shade of value in the show pool while still hitting the board.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 5 runners

Race 2: Free with an Account

Race 2

5:32 PM EDT

Maiden Optional Claiming · 5 1/2 fur · Dirt

Five and a half furlongs for maiden optional claimers on dirt, with several first-time-out types and a handful of experienced runners — the pace could get hot early and set up for a closer.

win6Liberty N JusticeML 3/1

Liberty N Justice tops our ratings at 56.67 and draws the 3/1 morning line, making her our top selection in a wide-open affair. Trainer George Papaprodromou has a solid reputation for placing horses in the right spots, and Antonio Fresu in the saddle is a capable handler in sprint situations. With no average speed figure listed — suggesting a debut or limited lines — the rating is driven by workouts and overall profiling, and this filly lands at the top of the TrackWiz model heading into the gate.

place5ThebeachisbackML 7/2

Thebeachisback is right behind in the ratings at 55.83, going off at 7/2 under trainer Michael W. McCarthy — a conditioner who shows up consistently at Del Mar each summer. No average speed on record points to a horse whose best work may still be ahead of her, and Ricardo Gonzalez is a reliable hand for a first or second start. If Liberty N Justice gets the front, Thebeachisback could find a comfortable stalking position and be there late.

show2Avalon RoseML 5/1

Avalon Rose has the highest recorded average speed figure among horses with a listed number at 54, and trainer Robert B. Hess Jr. keeps runners fit and ready between starts. At 5/1 on the morning line, she offers a measure of value in the show pool and across the board, and Julien Leparoux is one of the smoothest sprint riders in Southern California. She may not have the upside of the top two, but she's a solid fit for exotics.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 8 runners

Our free analysis covers the first three races on the card, and there's already some meat here. Race 1 is a mile maiden special weight on dirt where Essos draws our top rating despite going off at 4/1 on the morning line — that kind of price in a soft maiden field is a spot TrackWiz analysis loves to target. In Race 2, Liberty N Justice comes in as the 3/1 morning-line choice in a 5 1/2-furlong maiden optional claimer, a distance that should suit a pressing style on what figures to be a sound dirt surface today. Then we move to the turf for Race 3, an allowance optional claimer at five furlongs where No Cap jumps out with an 82.71 TrackWiz rating at a very workable 6/1 — the kind of number that gets our attention on the short turf course.

The common thread across these early races: the pace scenarios set up cleanly, and all three of our top picks profile as horses that can take a position and sustain it rather than needing a perfect trip. On a clear, fast day at Del Mar, that matters.

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Full Card Analysis

Race 3

6:04 PM EDT

Allowance Optional Claiming · 5 fur · Turf

Five furlongs on the turf in an allowance optional claiming field loaded with seasoned runners — the pace figures to be honest, and the TrackWiz model is sky-high on an overlooked price horse sitting right off the rail.

win1No CapML 6/1

No Cap is our pick and it's not particularly close — her TrackWiz rating of 82.71 is far and away the top mark in this field, yet she goes off at 6/1 on the morning line. That's a significant disconnect. She's won 14% of her career starts and averages a 57 speed figure, which matches the fastest horses in this field on that metric. Emisael Jaramillo aboard for trainer Brian Koriner is a functional combination, and on a five-furlong turf sprint where pace shapes are fluid, a horse with this kind of rating edge at a double-digit morning line is exactly the kind of overlay TrackWiz looks for.

place3Miss MandalayML 8/1

Miss Mandalay is our place horse and brings a strong 18% career win rate, which on a sample of turf starts is a meaningful number. Joel Rosario, among the elite turf riders in North America, gets the mount for Robert Hess Jr., and that combination regularly produces results at this level. Her TrackWiz rating of 60.36 is third in the field and her 8/1 morning line makes her an excellent place and exacta target behind No Cap.

show9Dial a FriendML 8/1

Dial a Friend is fascinating — a 47% career win rate is extraordinary regardless of sample size, and that type of horse tends to find ways to be competitive. Trainer Jesus Mendoza keeps this one sharp, and at 8/1 on the morning line with no average speed figure available to the public, she carries some mystery that could translate to overlay value in the exotics. Her TrackWiz score of 56.27 is third among the remaining field and makes her a legitimate show play.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 9 runners

Race 4

6:38 PM EDT

Maiden Special Weight · 6 1/2 fur · Dirt

A deep maiden special weight at six and a half furlongs on the dirt — Bob Baffert saddles two horses near the top of the market, but our model strongly favors a 5/1 shot from the Mark Glatt barn sitting on a massive ratings edge.

win8CheeverML 5/1

Cheever's TrackWiz rating of 84.17 stands alone at the top of this field by a significant margin, and yet the morning line has him at 5/1 — that's real value in a maiden special weight. Antonio Fresu gets the mount for Mark Glatt, who has a well-documented record of preparing maidens to fire fresh. An average speed of 56 is among the best recorded in this race, and when you combine a top-tier rating with a live jockey and a respected trainer, this is a horse that deserves to be bet.

place2Truth Or DareML 5/2

Truth Or Dare is the morning-line co-favorite at 5/2 out of the Bob Baffert barn, and that name alone commands respect in a maiden sprint. Juan J. Hernandez is a high-percentage rider who rarely gets on a horse without reason, and Baffert's first-out win rate at this level historically runs well above the field average. No average speed figure suggests a debut runner, but the connections alone justify a place spot.

show6Black Tie OptionalML 7/2

Black Tie Optional is the other Baffert entry at 7/2, adding further depth to the barn's presence in this race. Joel Rosario — one of the best in the business — takes the mount, and when Baffert runs two in the same race, both tend to be fit. A TrackWiz rating of 55.83 puts this horse in the competitive middle of the field, and with no public speed figure listed, there's room for a positive debut surprise that earns a show check at minimum.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 8 runners

Race 5

7:10 PM EDT

Claiming · 5 1/2 fur · Dirt

A full field of claimers sprinting five and a half furlongs on the dirt — Too Much Info has been scratched, which reshuffles the pace scenario, and our model zeros in on a George Papaprodromou runner with a huge ratings advantage over a wide-open group.

win6One Smokin DudeML 4/1

One Smokin Dude earns the highest TrackWiz rating in the race at 85.62 — that's the number that drives our top selection, and it's backed by a 33% career win percentage that genuinely stands out in a claiming field. Antonio Fresu rides for trainer George Papaprodromou, who has a consistent record in claiming sprints at Del Mar. The 4/1 morning line is fair given the competition but may still represent value once the scratched horse reshuffles the pool.

place1Dirty WordsML 5/1

Dirty Words is our place pick and brings a 23% career win rate with an average speed figure of 56 — tied for the highest recorded in this field among active starters. Trainer Hector O. Palma keeps this horse competitive at this level, and Armando Ayuso has been riding with confidence lately. At 5/1 on the morning line, Dirty Words offers a solid place-price combination and fits comfortably in the quinella and exacta underneath One Smokin Dude.

show8Des DoigtsML 12/1

Des Doigts is our show play and a genuine value angle at 12/1 on the morning line — that's a price that doesn't reflect the competitive profile here. A 17% career win rate is workmanlike, an average speed of 55 is on par with the leaders, and Tiago Josue Pereira has been riding with purpose at Del Mar this meet. With a TrackWiz rating of 59.32 that ranks third in the active field, Des Doigts is the kind of horse that quietly hits the board and pays a premium in the show spot.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 12 runners

Race 6

7:40 PM EDT

Allowance · 5 fur · Turf

Allowance company on the five-furlong turf course — the morning line sets this up as a competitive puzzle, but TrackWiz analysis finds a substantial ratings edge on a horse going off at twice his deserved odds.

win2ReveraML 5/1

Revera is the clear top pick here — her TrackWiz rating of 84.17 is the highest in the field by more than 24 points, and yet she sits at 5/1 on the morning line while horses rated far below her occupy shorter prices. Emisael Jaramillo picks up the mount for Hall of Fame trainer John Sadler, who regularly produces sharp efforts in turf allowance company. A 25% career win rate and an average speed of 55 round out a profile that points to a horse ready to fire and heavily underbet.

place8Still UnwrittenML 8/1

Still Unwritten checks in with a TrackWiz rating of 59.79 — second-best in the field — and posts an average speed of 57, which is the top mark in the race on that metric. Trainer Ryan Hanson sends her out at 8/1 on the morning line, which looks like an overlay relative to her figures. Edwin Maldonado gets the call and will look to position this horse within striking range early, making her a natural place and exacta target behind Revera.

show9ZoleneML 12/1

Zolene is our show selection at 12/1 on the morning line — a price that reflects her underdog status but undervalues a horse with a 57 speed figure average and a 25% career win rate. Trainer Jose Francisco D'Angelo saddles her alongside stablemate Snappy Comeback, and having two in the race means connections understand this pace shape well. Hector Isaac Berrios is a capable pilot who knows the turf course at Del Mar, making Zolene a strong show play and a potential exotic ticket in deeper multi-horse bets.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 9 runners

Race 7

8:10 PM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 5 1/2 fur · Dirt

Maiden claimers going five and a half furlongs on the dirt — a deep, unpredictable field, but the TrackWiz model surfaces a clear one-two punch that the morning line hasn't fully priced in.

win8Charmz AwayML 9/2

Charmz Away leads all horses in this race with a TrackWiz rating of 84.9 — and at 9/2 on the morning line, there's legit value here for a horse that clearly profiles as the top selection. An average speed figure of 55 is competitive in maiden claiming company, and trainer Luis Mendez has this one pointed in the right direction. Alfredo Bautista is a solid riding option in this spot, and combining the ratings edge with a reasonable price makes Charmz Away our confident top pick.

place7Mystic MosesML 7/2

Mystic Moses is right behind at a TrackWiz rating of 79.16 — that's a meaningful gap over the rest of the field — and the 7/2 morning line makes him a near co-favorite. An average speed of 56 is the top mark among all listed horses in this race, which is a tangible edge in a maiden claiming sprint. Armando Aguilar gets the mount for trainer Steven Miyadi, and if Charmz Away runs into any trouble, Mystic Moses looks fully capable of taking command.

show5DriftingandreamingML 4/1

Driftingandreaming comes in at 4/1 on the morning line with the backing of Hall of Fame trainer John Sadler — and in maiden claiming races, Sadler's presence is always a meaningful angle. Joel Rosario in the irons adds instant credibility, and a TrackWiz rating of 55.0 is respectable in this company even without a published average speed figure. This horse is likely to be well-prepared for its debut or return and fits comfortably as a show pick and exotic underneath.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 10 runners

Race 8

8:40 PM EDT

Starter Optional Claiming · 1 1/16 mi · Turf

A starter optional claiming field stretching out to a mile and a sixteenth on the turf — the pace scenario should develop slowly on this surface, setting up for closers, and our model uncovers genuine value at a double-digit price.

win5DynodaveML 12/1

Dynodave is our top selection at 12/1 on the morning line, and that price is a gift relative to a TrackWiz rating of 73.96 — third-highest in the field. An 18% career win rate is respectable in starter optional claiming company, and an average speed of 56 is among the top figures recorded in this field. Trainer Charles Treece keeps horses ready over the long Del Mar turf routes, and Hector Isaac Berrios is a competent handler for a closer-type horse who could be coming with a big run in the final furlong.

place4Henry AdamsML 6/1

Henry Adams checks in with a TrackWiz rating of 69.75 — fourth-best in the field — and the Richard Baltas barn has a sharp record in turf routing at Del Mar. Tyler Baze is a veteran who reads pace well on this course, and at 6/1 on the morning line, the value case for a place finish is easy to make. The absence of a listed career win percentage is notable, but Baltas rarely runs a horse without believing it can perform.

show7Call Me SirML 4/1

Call Me Sir brings an 18% career win rate and a TrackWiz rating of 69.26 to a race where the morning line has him at 4/1 — making him one of the better-priced qualified horses in the field. Kazushi Kimura has shown excellent judgment on the turf course this meet, and trainer Mark Glatt runs a sharp operation that rarely wastes a spot. At a mile and a sixteenth on the grass, pace shapes favor horses that can close, and Call Me Sir fits that profile well enough to hit the board.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 10 runners

Race 9

9:10 PM EDT

Stakes · 5 1/2 fur · Dirt

A five and a half furlong dirt stakes with a field full of unbeaten horses — most enter with perfect records, but the morning line separates them sharply, and our analysis points to the horse with the best rating and a real pace advantage.

win5Free CloserML 8/5

Free Closer is our top pick in the race — a TrackWiz rating of 59.0 leads the field, and the 8/5 morning line reflects the respect the connections have earned. A 50% career win rate is exactly what you want to see in a stakes spot, and Juan J. Hernandez has the poise to manage a short sprint off a potentially quick pace. Trainer Michael W. McCarthy knows how to get horses to the wire in stakes company, and Free Closer's combination of rating, record, and connections makes her the clear top choice here.

place3Strident MissML 4/1

Strident Miss brings a 100% career win rate and a 4/1 morning line — an intriguing profile that suggests she's been kept in spots she can dominate. Trainer Paula Capestro sends her out with Kazushi Kimura, a rider who has been excellent in sprint races this meet. An average speed of 55 matches the competitive tier of this field, and if she can handle the class jump, she looks like the most natural place horse on the ticket.

show1Sentient SoonML 5/1

Sentient Soon has a perfect win record and goes off at 5/1 — trainer Jeff Bonde has clearly been patient with this filly and is now spotting her in stakes company with some confidence. Kyle Frey gets the mount and knows how to position a horse in a short-field stakes sprint. With a TrackWiz rating of 53.33 matching Jolene Fury's mark exactly, Sentient Soon's unbeaten record tips the edge in a tiebreaker, and she's a reasonable show play and exotics inclusion.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 7 runners

Race 10

9:40 PM EDT

Claiming · 1 mi · Turf

A full field of claimers going a mile on the turf — the morning-line favorite is being undervalued by the TrackWiz model, which instead points to a 6/1 shot with the top rating in the field and a competitive speed figure.

win3Miss MeagherML 6/1

Miss Meagher leads all horses in this race with a TrackWiz rating of 82.71 — that's a significant edge over the field — and at 6/1 on the morning line, the value is hard to ignore. An average speed of 56 is the top figure listed among active starters, and a 10% career win rate, while modest, should be read in the context of turf route claiming competition where margins are thin. Hector Isaac Berrios has been confident this meet and trainer Gus Headley has her sharp enough to deliver a top effort going a mile on the grass.

place1Dea MatronaML 5/2

Dea Matrona is the 5/2 morning-line choice and our place selection — a TrackWiz rating of 74.54 is second-best in the field and fully justifies the short price. A 25% career win rate is a genuine credential for a claiming turf router, and Kazushi Kimura gets a horse that trainer Doug O'Neill has positioned well heading into this spot. If Miss Meagher is the live longshot, Dea Matrona is the safety net — she should be on the board.

show10Sakura FlavorML 8/1

Sakura Flavor is our show pick at 8/1 on the morning line — a solid overlay price for a horse with a TrackWiz rating of 68.8, third in the field. An average speed of 54 is workmanlike for a turf mile, and trainer Patrick Gallagher has this horse pointed at the right level. Juan Hernandez takes the mount and is a smart choice for a horse that may need to save ground around the first turn before launching late — exactly the profile for a show ticket and deeper exotics.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 10 runners

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A gorgeous day at Del Mar, a stakes race on the dirt, and legitimate value scattered across both surfaces — this is a card worth playing top to bottom. Essos, Liberty N Justice, and No Cap headline the free selections, while the premium card unpacks everything from Race 4 onward, including our best exotic structures for the afternoon. Good luck out there — and as always, manage your bankroll and enjoy the races.

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