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Del Mar Picks & Predictions — August 28, 2026

August 28, 20268 racesAll Del Mar picks

Results are in — see the official Del Mar chart and payouts (our top pick won 2 of 8)→

It's a beautiful Friday at Del Mar — 85 degrees, not a cloud in the sky, and the Pacific breeze doing its thing out at the Turf Club end. Conditions are about as good as it gets on the Southern California coast, and that matters when you're sorting through a mixed-surface card like today's eight-race program.

We've got a healthy split between dirt and turf action, with maiden claimers kicking things off and an Allowance Optional Claiming feature in Race 7 giving us some of the classiest horses on the afternoon. Four of the eight races run on the turf, so surface preference is going to be a real factor when you're building multi-race tickets today.

TrackWiz has ratings on every horse in the field — three races are open to all readers, and five more are waiting for you in full-card premium coverage. Let's break it down.

Best Bets

Race 1

9:00 PM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

A maiden claimer on the dirt with Copper Luna scratched leaves five to sort out — TrackWiz ratings create a clear top tier, but two horses are separated by only about four points, making the exacta box worth a look.

win3Smokin Hot StuffML 7/5

Smokin Hot Stuff sits atop our TrackWiz ratings at 89.42 and draws the morning-line favoritism at 7/5, suggesting the market agrees this is the most complete horse in the field. Trainer George Papaprodromou runs a sharp operation at Del Mar and Kyle Frey gets the call, a reliable pairing for a horse that's expected to be forwardly placed. The average speed figure of 54 is on par with most of the field, so the edge here is overall rating dominance — nearly a five-point gap over the second-best horse. In a maiden field with no experienced winners, that kind of separation is meaningful.

place5Debby's GalML 4/1

Debby's Gal checks in with an 85.01 TrackWiz rating — second in this field — and comes in under Tyler Baze for trainer Richard Baltas, a duo that knows how to get the most out of a horse in its debut or early starts. Her average speed of 54 matches the top of the field, and at 4/1 morning line, she offers real value relative to her rating. If the favorite underperforms for any reason, Debby's Gal looks like the most natural heir to the top spot.

show2Sensational DreamML 3/1

Sensational Dream carries a 71.73 rating and draws Joel Rosario — one of the best jockeys on the grounds — which is never a stat to overlook when trainer Adam Kitchingman sends one out. Her average speed of 55 actually ties for the field's best, giving her a legitimate pace angle in a race where raw speed could matter early. At 3/1, she's a fair price and a sensible exotic inclusion to round out tickets.

Race 2

9:30 PM EDT

Claiming · 5 fur · Turf

Tam's Little Angel looks like a clear class standout on the TrackWiz numbers in this 5-furlong turf claimer, but two horses rated in the high 60s offer live threats, and a pace duel up front could set the table for a closer.

win6Tam's Little AngelML 7/2

Tam's Little Angel dominates this field with an 86.35 TrackWiz rating — more than 18 points clear of the second horse — and posts the field's best average speed figure at 57. Trainer Hector O. Palma sends her out with Tiago Josue Pereira aboard, and her 23% career win rate shows she knows how to close the deal. At 7/2 on the morning line, she's not a throwaway price for the value she brings, and on a short 5-furlong turf sprint, her numbers suggest she should be close throughout.

place7Invincible MollyML 4/1

Invincible Molly rates 68.32 and matches the win horse's 23% career win rate — a consistency angle that matters in a claiming field. Her average speed of 56 is solid for this company, and trainer Steve R. Knapp with Armando Ayuso up is a workmanlike combo capable of a sneaky effort. At 4/1, she's properly priced to anchor the exacta alongside the top pick.

show1Empress MatildaML 5/1

Empress Matilda has the highest career win percentage in the field at 20% and a 65.13 rating that keeps her in contention for the minor awards. Ryan Hanson sends her out with Adrian Escobedo, and her average speed of 56 ties Invincible Molly for second-best in the field. At 5/1, she's a legitimate show play and worth using in exacta and trifecta tickets underneath the top two.

Race 3

10:02 PM EDT

Maiden Optional Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

This maiden optional claiming sprint on the dirt is headlined by a TrackWiz standout, but several horses are making their first starts without speed figures on record, creating real uncertainty — pace and position could shuffle the deck.

win2I Know NothingML 4/1

I Know Nothing carries the field's top TrackWiz rating at 85.62 and is trained by Doug F. O'Neill, one of Del Mar's most active and productive conditioners. Emisael Jaramillo gets the mount, a capable rider who should keep this horse in a comfortable stalking position in a 6-furlong sprint. The 4/1 morning line is solid value for the top-rated horse in the field — usually these spots go postward at shorter prices. With an average speed of 54 matching several rivals, the advantage is primarily in the overall rating profile.

place7Pro PayneML 7/2

Pro Payne comes in at 7/2 on the morning line with a 57.29 rating — second-best in the field — and posts the field's highest average speed figure among horses with recorded figures at 55. Trainer Val Brinkerhoff runs two horses in this race, and this one draws Armando Aguilar, who should be able to sit close to the pace and make a run in the stretch. At near-even money prices for the win, he looks like the most logical second horse.

show3Blame AshleyML 3/1

Blame Ashley rates 56.67 and goes at 3/1 for trainer Hector O. Palma with Antonio Fresu in the irons — a jockey who has been consistently active at this meet. She has no average speed on record, which adds uncertainty, but her rating keeps her in the conversation for exotic inclusion. In a race with multiple first-time starters and unproven figures, she represents a known quantity at a fair price.

The first three races give us plenty to work with. Smokin Hot Stuff opens the day as a 7/5 morning-line favorite in a 6-furlong dirt maiden claimer — that TrackWiz rating of 89.42 is the highest mark among our free picks, and on a fast, dry strip with no weather interference, speed tends to hold up on this end of the card. Then we shift over to the turf for Race 2, where Tam's Little Angel at 7/2 offers some genuine value in a short five-furlong sprint — turf sprints can get hectic early, so pace scenario is everything. By Race 3 we're back on the dirt, and I Know Nothing is an intriguing 4/1 play in the Maiden Optional Claiming; that morning line suggests the market isn't fully sold, which is exactly where we like to find overlays.

The through-line connecting all three free picks: the clear, dry weather keeps both the dirt and turf playing true today — no moisture, no bias concerns. That levels the playing field and lets pure ability shine through, which is good news for horses with strong TrackWiz ratings in their corners.

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Full Card Analysis

Race 4

10:34 PM EDT

Claiming · 1 mi · Turf

A full field of nine goes a mile on the turf in this claimer, and TrackWiz ratings show a legitimate top three clustered above 74 — with Sand Bagger carrying the top number at nearly 88, this race has a clear leader but also a pace setup that could create drama.

win4Sand BaggerML 5/2

Sand Bagger tops this field with an 87.81 TrackWiz rating and goes as the morning-line co-second choice at 5/2, trained by Peter Miller — one of the sharpest turf trainers in Southern California. His 8% career win rate might look modest, but in a competitive claiming field at a mile on the grass, consistency and positioning matter as much as raw win frequency. Hector Isaac Berrios takes the mount, and the average speed of 54 is competitive. Our analysis flags this as the most complete horse in the race from a ratings standpoint.

place1Bee Eye GeeML 4/1

Bee Eye Gee rates 80.66 with Joel Rosario aboard — the single most important jockey angle you can play at any Southern California meet. His 10% career win rate is respectable in this company, and trainer Brian J. Koriner keeps him competitive at the claiming level. At 4/1, he represents a clear value play underneath the top pick and deserves a spot on all exotic tickets.

show6Non DomicileML 8/1

Non Domicile rates 78.69 — third-best in the field — and goes at 8/1 morning line for trainer George Papaprodromou with Antonio Fresu up. His 12% career win rate matches Prince of Del Mar and is actually better than Sand Bagger's, which tells you he fires with regularity. At double-digit prices for a horse ranked third on our sheet, he's an excellent show play and a nice trifecta component for anyone looking to leverage the top half of the field.

Race 5

11:06 PM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 5 1/2 fur · Dirt

Nine maidens go 5 and a half furlongs on the dirt, and this field is top-heavy — I'm No Swifty has a massive rating advantage, but the rest of the field is tightly bunched, making the undercard spots competitive for exotics.

win1I'm No SwiftyML 3/1

I'm No Swifty carries an 87.08 TrackWiz rating — nearly 32 points ahead of the next-best horse — which is the kind of separation that demands attention even in a wide-open maiden field. Peter Eurton trains this one, and he's a patient horseman who typically has his maidens ready to fire when they show up at Del Mar. Emisael Jaramillo has the call at 3/1 on the morning line, and with an average speed of 55, she matches the top of the field physically. This is TrackWiz's strongest-conviction win pick of the first five races.

place3Glory'z ClubhouseML 7/2

Glory'z Clubhouse rates 55.83 and draws Tyler Baze for trainer Sean McCarthy at 7/2 on the morning line — a combination that suggests connections have confidence. Her average speed of 55 keeps her right in the pack physically, and in a field where the win horse dominates but the rest are closely grouped, she's well-positioned to fight for the place spot. A straightforward exotic inclusion.

show6Running IronML 6/1

Running Iron catches the eye with the field's best recorded average speed figure at 56, giving her a legitimate early pace angle in a sprint. Victor Espinoza takes the mount for trainer Paula S. Capestro, and while this barn isn't the biggest name on the grounds, Espinoza's presence elevates any horse's profile. At 6/1 on the morning line with a 51.67 rating, she's a reasonable show play for bettors who want to cover multiple outcomes in the exacta and trifecta.

Race 6

11:38 PM EDT

Maiden Special Weight · 5 fur · Turf

This maiden special weight turf sprint is the trickiest race on the card — multiple first-time starters with no speed figures on record, barn connections carrying huge weight, and a legitimate upset candidate hiding at 8/1.

win5Make Me MoneyML 8/1

Make Me Money earns our top rating in this field at 71.01 and is the strongest-rated horse we can identify in a race full of unknowns. Edwin A. Maldonado rides for trainer Luis Mendez, and the average speed of 55 gives her a real physical baseline in a 5-furlong turf sprint where figures matter. At 8/1 on the morning line, she's the definition of a value win play — the kind of horse TrackWiz analysis consistently targets when top ratings come attached to generous odds. This is our best value play of the race.

place8DelugeML 3/1

Deluge goes at 3/1 for Bob Baffert — a trainer whose barn alone commands attention at any Southern California meet. With no average speed on record, there's genuine uncertainty about where she fits physically, but the Baffert name with Juan J. Hernandez up means this horse is likely training well. Her 56.67 rating is competitive, and in a maiden turf race with this much uncertainty, trainer prestige is a legitimate handicapping factor.

show1Golden BeeML 7/2

Golden Bee rates 55.83 and posts the field's best recorded average speed figure at 57 — a standout number in a field where many horses haven't established figures. Julien R. Leparoux gets the mount for trainer Dan Blacker, and Leparoux on a turf horse with a legitimate speed figure is never a combination to dismiss. At 7/2, she's a fair show price and a strong trifecta anchor.

Race 7

12:10 AM EDT

Allowance Optional Claiming · 6 1/2 fur · Dirt

Six allowance-optional claimers go 6 and a half furlongs on the dirt in what shapes up as a genuine pace battle — three horses share a 28% career win rate, and the top two TrackWiz ratings are separated by more than five points, setting up a clear but contestable top selection.

win1Speedy WilsonML 3/1

Speedy Wilson tops this field with an 87.08 TrackWiz rating and goes at 3/1 morning line under Joel Rosario for trainer Philip D'Amato — a powerhouse combination at Del Mar. His 28% career win rate ties the field's best, and a 56 average speed puts him right at the top of the pack. D'Amato has a strong record at this meet and knows when to spot a horse in a spot they can win; this 6.5-furlong dirt distance looks tailor-made for a forwardly-run horse with Rosario guiding.

place5The Last StrawML 5/1

The Last Straw rates 81.83 — second in the field — and goes at 5/1 for Hall of Fame trainer Richard E. Mandella, with the legendary Mike E. Smith in the saddle. That jockey-trainer combination alone is worth a significant bump in your confidence level, as both men know how to plot a route. His 28% career win rate and 56 average speed match the top pick, and at 5/1, this is a genuine value play to land on top of the exacta or as a singled-horse spread.

show6Simple SongML 5/2

Simple Song rates 74.96 and goes at 5/2 morning line for trainer Mark Glatt — arguably the best price-to-rating ratio in the race among the horses finishing off the podium in ratings. Antonio Fresu has the mount, and a 28% career win rate shows this horse is consistent. At 5/2, she won't offer much show return, but she belongs in the trifecta and makes an excellent exacta partner with either of the top two picks.

Race 8

12:42 AM EDT

Maiden Special Weight · 1 mi · Turf

The final race of the night is a massive 14-horse maiden special weight mile on the turf — heavy with first-time starters and horses without speed figures, making this a classic 'trainer and pedigree' puzzle where our ratings identify a clear value standout hiding well off the morning-line chalk.

win13Sauced UpML 8/1

Sauced Up carries a 79.79 TrackWiz rating — the highest in this deep field — and goes at 8/1 morning line despite that status, which is a compelling overlay situation. Alfredo L. Bautista picks up the mount for trainer Felix Rondan, and with a 55 average speed in a mile turf route, the raw figures are respectable. In a 14-horse maiden field, finding the top-rated horse at 8/1 is exactly the kind of spot our analysis targets — the market hasn't caught up to the number, and that's your edge.

place4Just Work It OutML 8/5

Just Work It Out goes as the morning-line favorite at 8/5 for trainer John W. Sadler — one of the most accomplished horsemen at this meet — with Joel Rosario piloting. His 59 rating is second in this race and the 55 average speed is consistent, but what really stands out is the Sadler-Rosario axis on a turf route at Del Mar, where both have thrived for decades. Even at a short price, he's a safe place horse and a logical ticket anchor for larger exotics.

show14Tiger LuckML 4/1

Tiger Luck rates 55 and goes at 4/1 for trainer Tim Yakteen with Juan J. Hernandez in the irons — a jockey with strong turf credentials at this circuit. The 56 average speed is the best recorded figure among the horses in the mid-tier of this field, which matters in a mile route where sustained pace is rewarded. At 4/1, he offers a real show return and fits nicely as a trifecta component underneath the top two selections.

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Today's a card worth playing top to bottom — good weather, genuine pace diversity, and a few spots where the morning line leaves money on the table. Smokin Hot Stuff in Race 1, Tam's Little Angel in Race 2, and I Know Nothing in Race 3 are your free best bets to get started. The full story — pace scenarios, exotic breakdowns, and every race on the card — is all available to TrackWiz subscribers. Good luck out there, and let's make Friday count.

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