Del Mar Picks & Predictions — August 28, 2026

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.