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Del Mar Picks & Predictions — August 30, 2026

August 30, 202610 racesAll Del Mar picks

Results are in — see the official Del Mar chart and payouts (our top pick won 2 of 10)→

It's a clear, sun-soaked Sunday at Del Mar — 81°F at post time, firm footing, and the kind of perfect Southern California afternoon that reminds you why they call this place "Where the Turf Meets the Surf." Ten races are on the card today, split across dirt and turf, and there's something for every type of player.

The headliner is Race 7, a Stakes mile on the dirt featuring Mohaven at 7/2 on the morning line — a race with enough intrigue to anchor your card. But don't sleep on the turf sprints and maiden events surrounding it. TrackWiz analysis has flagged some interesting pace setups and a couple of prices worth targeting before the pools catch up.

Three races are open to all readers today, giving everyone a taste of the full-card action. The remaining seven are available to TrackWiz subscribers, where we get into the details that move the needle on multi-race tickets.

Best Bets

Race 1

9:00 PM EDT

Starter Optional Claiming · 7 fur · Dirt

A heavy favorite towers over this Starter Optional Claiming field at 7 furlongs on dirt, but two live prices lurk underneath and could make the exotics interesting.

win1Howie's LawML 4/5

Howie's Law opens as the 4/5 morning-line chalk for a reason — a TrackWiz rating of 90 is the class of the field by a wide margin, and a 33% career win rate is elite for this level. Trainer Doug O'Neill has repeatedly shown he can prime horses for these starter-optional spots, and Emisael Jaramillo gives the connections a sharp pilot up front. With an average speed figure of 57, no one in this field matches the raw ability, and at seven furlongs there's room to stalk and pounce if the pace gets honest.

place4LetmeinML 8/1

Letmein is the most intriguing overlay in the field — a TrackWiz rating of 77.04 is second-best, yet the morning line sits at 8/1, suggesting the market hasn't fully caught up. Mark Glatt is one of Southern California's most respected conditioners, and Abel Lezcano gives this horse a tactical rider who can find position. The 8% career win rate tells you Letmein hasn't always closed the deal, but a place finish here is a realistic ask against this group.

show5Fumano's MagicML 5/1

Fumano's Magic at 5/1 represents a reasonable show hedge with a rating of 54.32 that slots neatly into the third tier of this field. The 7% career win rate isn't flashy, but Kyle Frey is a capable pilot who can engineer a pace trip that sets up a late run at the show spot. Including this one in your exacta and trifecta combinations adds some meat to the ticket without breaking the bank.

Race 2

9:34 PM EDT

Maiden Special Weight · 5 fur · Turf

A wide-open 13-horse maiden turf sprint where every horse in the field carries a 0% career win rate — this one comes down to whose recent workouts and breeding translate best to five furlongs on grass.

win3Chiseled in StoneML 5/2

Chiseled in Stone draws the 5/2 morning line in a field full of unknowns, and the TrackWiz model backs that confidence with a top rating of 57.5. The horse shows an average speed figure of 57, the highest among runners with recorded figures, which gives the analytical edge on raw ability. Trainer Steve Knapp and jockey Armando Ayuso are a comfortable pairing, and at five furlongs on turf, a horse with established speed figures has a meaningful advantage over debut runners with nothing on the board.

place1First Time ListingML 4/1

First Time Listing opens at 4/1 with a rating of 55 and an average speed of 56 — enough to suggest Simon Callaghan has this one ready to fire a big debut. Antonio Fresu has been sharp at Del Mar, and from the rail he'll have every chance to control position in a sprint. In a field this wide open, a horse with a proven figure from a strong barn lands comfortably in our place column.

show2Bel Air BlintzcessML 5/1

Bel Air Blintzcess at 5/1 carries a 53.33 rating and the stamp of trainer Mark Glatt, who consistently gets first-time starters ready to run. Emisael Jaramillo in the irons is never an accident — connections clearly believe in this one. No recorded speed figure makes this a projection play, but Glatt's maiden debut success rate at Del Mar makes the show spot a reasonable inclusion in your trifecta.

Race 3

10:08 PM EDT

Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

A competitive six-furlong dirt claiming race featuring a pair of sharp contenders with near-identical speed figures setting up a potential pace duel, and a well-weighted runner off the pace who could steal the show.

win8Miz ClubcaliML 3/1

Miz Clubcali leads our analysis with the top TrackWiz rating in the field at 87.08, and trainer Ian Kruljac has her pointed at just the right spot. A 21% career win rate is solid for claiming company, and Tiago Pereira is an aggressive pilot who likes to put horses in good position early at six furlongs. The morning line of 3/1 reflects genuine market respect, and the speed figure of 55 pairs nicely with her overall profile as a horse capable of rating near the pace and grinding opponents down.

place1Chasing KatML 5/1

Chasing Kat is the other elite figure in the race with an 87.08… wait — the rating sits at 83.72, second overall, and trainer George Papaprodromou has quietly been one of Del Mar's more dangerous conditioners in claiming races. A 21% career win rate mirrors Miz Clubcali's, and Roxane Liegeois has shown she can handle tight quarters in a contentious sprint. If these two hook up early, Chasing Kat's grit from the inside post could be the difference.

show3Lady GregoryML 5/1

Lady Gregory at 5/1 morning line brings a 76.15 rating and a 33% career win rate that is legitimately impressive for this level. Steve Knapp sends her out with Emisael Jaramillo, a pairing that suggests connections think a big effort is coming. She's a horse that could benefit if the speed duel up front gets heated — her profile as a stalker sets her up to scoop a show spot at a fair price.

Today's three free previews cover Races 1, 2, and 3 — a nice cross-section of the card. Race 1 is a Starter Optional Claiming sprint on the dirt where Howie's Law opens as the heavy 4/5 morning-line favorite, and our TrackWiz rating of 90 backs up that confidence. This horse looks like a cut above in this spot. Race 3 brings Miz Clubcali into a 6-furlong dirt Claiming affair at 3/1 — a price with some meat on the bone for a horse rated 87-plus by our model.

In between, Race 2 heads to the turf for a 5-furlong Maiden Special Weight where Chiseled in Stone lands at 5/2 on the morning line. Turf sprints for maidens can be chaotic, and the 57.5 TrackWiz rating reflects a genuinely open field — this one's worth watching the tote before committing. Collectively, these three free races give you a dirt-speed angle in the opener, a playable turf lottery, and a solid mid-card value on the claiming side.

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Full Card Analysis

Race 4

10:38 PM EDT

Allowance Optional Claiming · 1 mi · Turf

An Allowance Optional Claiming mile on turf shapes up around a clear top-rated contender from a powerhouse barn, though the depth of the field means price horses have a legitimate path to the board.

win4Cortina d'AmprezzoML 3/1

Cortina d'Amprezzo tops the TrackWiz ratings at 87.08 and draws a 3/1 morning line that looks fair given the Philip D'Amato connection — one of Southern California's elite turf trainers. A 33% career win rate on the grass and an average speed figure of 55 give this one the credentials to handle Allowance Optional Claiming company at a mile. Antonio Fresu, one of the most underrated turf riders at Del Mar, gets the call, and this combo should be respected as the race's primary threat.

place8Mia FamiliaML 5/1

Mia Familia at 5/1 carries an 80.33 rating — second-best — and trainer Jose Francisco D'Angelo has her primed for a sharp effort at a distance that suits. Emisael Jaramillo takes the mount, and a 12% career win rate understates the form when you consider the caliber of fields she's run against. At a mile on turf, a closer with her figure profile can sit comfortably off a contested pace and hit the board at a very workable price.

show2LiberationML 4/1

Liberation opens at 4/1 with a 75.11 rating and an exceptional 42% career win rate that screams class. Juan Hernandez is one of the best tactical riders on the Southern California circuit, and the John Sadler barn rarely sends horses to the post unprepared. The show spot here is almost a formality given the win percentage — if Cortina d'Amprezzo and Mia Familia fire, Liberation should be knocking on the door for third.

Race 5

11:09 PM EDT

Maiden Special Weight · 6 fur · Dirt

With the early scratch of The Chosen Bride, this six-furlong dirt maiden special weight tightens up around a surprising top-rated overlay and a pair of well-connected closers who could make the pace scenario pivotal.

win3Sauced UpML 8/1

Sauced Up is the value bomb of the card — an 8/1 morning line attached to a TrackWiz rating of 79.79 that is the best figure in the field by a healthy margin. Trainer Felix Rondan has this one showing an average speed of 55, and Alfredo Bautista takes the mount with something to prove. In a maiden sprint where everyone carries a 0% win rate, the horse with the strongest speed figures and the biggest ratings gap is exactly the type of play the TrackWiz model was built to surface — don't let the price scare you off.

place8Her StrutML 7/2

Her Strut draws a 7/2 morning line from trainer George Papaprodromou, who has a strong record getting debut runners ready to fire at Del Mar. Antonio Fresu is a polished, patient rider who excels at finding position in big maiden fields — a significant asset at six furlongs with a full gate. The 55.83 rating slots her neatly as our place pick, and her profile as a horse who figures to rate off the pace could be ideal if the early fractions get fast.

show9Sono VeloceML 4/1

Sono Veloce opens at 4/1 with a 55.00 rating and the services of Juan Hernandez, which is never a throwaway detail in Southern California maiden racing. Trainer Brendan Galvin doesn't send horses to Del Mar without believing they belong, and the morning line suggests the barn has legitimate confidence. No recorded speed figure means we're trusting pedigree and trainer form here, but the rider/trainer combination makes Sono Veloce a credible show inclusion in your trifecta tickets.

Race 6

11:41 PM EDT

Claiming · 5 fur · Turf

An 11-horse turf sprint at the claiming level where three horses in the 79-81 rating range are separated by razor-thin margins — pace shape and post position could be the tiebreakers in a race that sets up for a wild finish.

win5Otto the ConquerorML 6/1

Otto the Conqueror leads the TrackWiz ratings at 81.4 and opens at 6/1 — that's a number that deserves a long look given the quality of trainer Vladimir Cerin on the grass. A 30% career win rate is strong for claiming company, and Juan Hernandez is as reliable as it gets in short-field turf sprints. The speed figure of 56 is right in the mix, and in a race where the top contenders are so closely matched, Otto's overall profile gives him a slight but meaningful edge.

place7GazonML 6/1

Gazon at 6/1 brings a 79.65 rating and the Sadler-Rosario combo — one of the most respected pairings in California racing. A 12% career win rate may seem modest, but Gazon's average speed of 57 is tied for the highest in the race, suggesting raw ability that hasn't always converted. Joel Rosario is a master at getting horses into the right position in five-furlong turf sprints, and this one profiles as a classic second horse who hits the board at a very fair price.

show11Regal PatriotML 6/1

Regal Patriot at 6/1 is a horse to reckon with thanks to a 42% career win rate — the second-best figure in the field — paired with a top average speed of 58. Doug O'Neill sends him out with Emisael Jaramillo in the irons, and the claiming conditions here feel tailor-made for a horse with this win percentage to fire. Even at 6/1, the show spot offers real value when you're dealing with a horse whose lifetime record suggests he rarely runs a bad race.

Race 7

12:12 AM EDT

Stakes · 1 mi · Dirt

A seven-horse stakes mile on dirt features a fascinating puzzle: the morning-line favorite has a 100% win rate but a middling TrackWiz rating, while a 7/2 shot with a 42% win rate and the field's best rating looks like the sharp play.

win5MohavenML 7/2

Mohaven is our top pick with the field's best TrackWiz rating of 86.35 and a 42% career win rate that is exceptional for stakes company. John Sadler is one of California's premier trainers at a mile on dirt, and Emisael Jaramillo gets a horse that clearly has the most upside on the board. At 7/2, you're getting a fair number for what amounts to the analytical standout — this is a case where the ratings model and the morning line are telling the same story, and we're listening.

place2She's No QuantML 3/1

She's No Quant carries the remarkable statistic of a 75% career win rate, which in any other field might make her the automatic favorite. Trainer Edward Freeman sends her out at 3/1 with Antonio Fresu, a jockey who thrives in tactical mile races, and the 73.81 rating makes her a legitimate threat to hit the board. Her profile as a horse who clearly knows how to win makes the place bet appealing — even if Mohaven fires, She's No Quant should be right there fighting for second.

show7Wolf HillML 8/1

Wolf Hill at 8/1 is a genuine longshot angle worth noting — a 71.17 rating that ranks third in the field, paired with the services of Joel Rosario who rarely takes a stakes mount unless there's something to work with. Trainer Leonard Powell has shown a knack for finding spots where his horses outrun their morning lines, and a 0% career win rate in prior tries means the market is discounting this one. In a stakes race with a legitimate pace scenario, a closer with Rosario aboard at 8/1 deserves a place in your exotics.

Race 8

12:43 AM EDT

Maiden Special Weight · 1 mi · Turf

A ten-horse maiden special weight mile on turf sees one horse dominate the TrackWiz ratings by an eye-opening margin, setting up a scenario where the analytical play and the best-price combo could deliver a strong ticket.

win4Marla HoochML 5/1

Marla Hooch is the clear standout with a TrackWiz rating of 84.17 — a full 21 points clear of the field's second-best — and trainer Philip D'Amato is the gold standard for maiden turf runners at Del Mar. Antonio Fresu gets the call from D'Amato, who consistently pairs his best runners with his most trusted riders, which tells you a lot about expectations. An average speed figure of 56 and a 5/1 morning line make this a horse that profiles as both the analytical selection and a legitimate betting opportunity.

place9ImpressionisticML 5/1

Impressionistic opens at 5/1 with a 63.25 rating and the Leonard Powell-Joel Rosario combination, which has been a reliable tandem in maiden turf routes all meet long. An average speed of 55 is respectable, and Rosario's ability to rate a horse at a mile on grass — settling them early and asking at the right time — is a genuine asset in this kind of race. This one projects as the most likely to benefit if Marla Hooch controls the tempo, closing late for the place.

show6Janz JoyML 7/2

Janz Joy breaks from post 6 for the Mark Glatt barn with Abel Lezcano, and at 7/2 she's clearly the public's idea of the second choice. A 55.83 rating and average speed of 55 are solid enough to compete at this level, and Glatt's maiden win rate at Del Mar with first-off-the-bench grass runners is a legitimate positive. Whether or not she wins, she's the type of horse you need in your trifecta given the rider, trainer, and morning-line support.

Race 9

1:15 AM EDT

Allowance Optional Claiming · 1 mi · Dirt

A deep nine-horse Allowance Optional Claiming mile on dirt is anchored by two Bob Baffert runners with very different profiles, while a Mark Glatt contender in between could be the horse the sharp money lands on.

win7PrivmanML 3/1

Privman is our top selection with the race's highest TrackWiz rating of 87.08 and a standout 42% career win rate that belongs at the top of an AOC field. The Bob Baffert-Juan Hernandez combination is one of the most formidable in California at a mile on dirt, and the 3/1 morning line reflects genuine market respect. An average speed of 54 is competitive here, and a horse who wins 42% of the time for Baffert rarely needs much of an excuse to hit the board.

place6Lyell's SongML 5/1

Lyell's Song at 5/1 brings a 75.63 rating and a 33% career win rate, backed by the steady hand of trainer Mark Glatt and the tactical ability of Antonio Fresu at a mile. An average speed of 54 mirrors several horses in the field, but Glatt's selection of Fresu — a jockey who excels at rating horses in route races — suggests this is a horse meant to close from a tracking position. The 5/1 place price on a horse with this win rate and trainer is worth playing.

show5The GoatML 6/1

The Goat opens at 6/1 with a 51.67 rating for the powerful John Sadler operation, and Joel Rosario doesn't accept mounts at this level without believing the horse can compete. The 0% career win rate is a flag, but Sadler horses frequently outrun that number in class-condition spots like Allowance Optional Claiming. As a show play, The Goat offers a credible hedge — Sadler and Rosario in a mile dirt race at Del Mar is never a combination to dismiss lightly.

Race 10

1:45 AM EDT

Starter Optional Claiming · 1 mi · Turf

A sprawling 14-horse Starter Optional Claiming mile on turf is highlighted by a morning-line co-favorite who is also the TrackWiz ratings leader — and a pair of double-digit prices lurking underneath that could blow the trifecta wide open.

win1Midway LaneML 3/1

Midway Lane draws the 3/1 morning line and the top TrackWiz rating at 83.15, making him the clear analytical selection in a big, contentious field. A 33% career win rate for the John Sadler barn is exactly the kind of consistency you want in a starter optional claiming spot at a mile on turf, and Emisael Jaramillo takes the mount with plenty of confidence. The average speed of 54 is fair for this class, and with Sadler's record of getting horses ready at Del Mar, this is a horse who should be controlling the upper part of the ticket.

place4Burning RubberML 8/1

Burning Rubber at 8/1 is the value play underneath — a 76.65 rating that is second-best in the field, paired with the highest average speed figure among the contenders at 57. Juan Hernandez gets the call for trainer Sean McCarthy, and a 18% career win rate at this level suggests there's enough ability to hit the board consistently. The gap between Burning Rubber's rating and her morning line is one of the wider discrepancies on the card, making her a prime place bet candidate.

show8DynodaveML 12/1

Dynodave at 12/1 is our show play with a 73.96 rating — third-best in the race — and an average speed of 55 that keeps him competitive at the mile turf distance. Trainer Charles Treece pairs him with Hector Berrios, and a 16% career win rate in starter optional claiming fields is respectable enough to suggest he can hit the board when conditions set up right. At 12/1, even a show payoff here could be substantial in a field this large, making Dynodave the right name to slot into your trifectas.

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Bottom line for August 30 at Del Mar: Howie's Law is the strongest top-rated selection on the card and makes a solid win-bet anchor in Race 1. Miz Clubcali offers a bit more price in Race 3, and the Stakes in Race 7 around Mohaven is the race of the day. For the pace scenarios, exotic plays, and the full seven-race premium breakdown — including that intriguing 8/1 shot in Race 5 — TrackWiz subscribers have everything they need. Enjoy the racing, play within your bankroll, and good luck out there.

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