Del Mar Picks & Predictions — September 5, 2026

High Society U sits at 69.09, essentially neck-and-neck with Cherry Cider on the ratings, and McCarthy routinely turns out first-timers who run to their workouts. Umberto Rispoli is an outstanding turf jockey who handles dirt fine, and at 4/1 morning line, High Society U could easily land on top if Cherry Cider struggles to separate. This is the natural backup in every exotic combination you build around this race.

First Or Last comes in at 5/2 and has both a 57 average speed — tied for the highest in the field — and Kazushi Kimura, who has been one of the hottest riders in Southern California. Doug O'Neill conditions this one, and he's been particularly sharp with first-time starters going short. The lower TrackWiz rating of 57.5 keeps this horse off the win ticket, but the raw speed and barn connections make First Or Last a strong show contender.

Lyle The Crocodile checks in at 70.18 on the TrackWiz scale, which is a strong secondary mark in this field, and Philip D'Amato is a trainer who regularly fires fresh horses into turf routes with purpose. Umberto Rispoli gets the call from post 2, a clean enough gate position to track the pace without getting caught wide. At 9/2, there's mild overlay value for place tickets against what could be a chalky pool.

El Rey Rey brings a 15% career win rate and Kazushi Kimura aboard, a pairing that's worth respecting on any given afternoon. Hector Palma conditions this horse, and the 54 average speed keeps El Rey Rey competitive in this pace scenario. At 7/2, the morning line is relatively short for a show pick, but the career form and jockey quality give this horse legitimate board-hitting upside in a race where the top two could get all the money.

Cigar and Espresso lacks a published average speed figure but still earns a 55.0 TrackWiz rating — the second-best mark in the field — and Victor Garcia trains this one with Umberto Rispoli up, which is a sharp combo to see in a maiden optional claimer. At 4/1, there's fair value here for place purposes, especially given the upside inherent in a horse without a clear form line that connections are still willing to run in decent company.

High Ambition shows a 56 average speed and a 53.33 TrackWiz rating, giving Hector Berrios something tangible to work with from post 10. Jose Francisco D'Angelo doesn't always saddle horses at this tier, so the appearance here suggests the connections see a path to the board. At 5/1, High Ambition is the value-minded show play in a wide-open sprint where chaos at the front could benefit a horse sitting off the pace.

Mickey comes in second on the TrackWiz scale at 69.32 with Joel Rosario aboard — that's a jockey who wins at a consistently high rate on first-time starters when a barn ships him one with upside. Val Brinkerhoff trains, and while the barn operates at a smaller volume, the 4/1 morning line suggests some confidence from the connections. Mickey's 54 average speed keeps it competitive, and in a race where the top pick absorbs most of the win action, Mickey is the natural place anchor.

Zakiel at 3/1 catches the eye as the morning-line second choice, trained by Peter Eurton and ridden by Juan Hernandez — both names that routinely appear in the money at Del Mar. The 56.67 TrackWiz rating and 54 average speed give Zakiel a solid floor, and Eurton's horses often run their best in the first couple of tries, making this a credible show option in any exotic structure. The short morning line suggests the market may push Zakiel below his fair value, so check tote odds before buying.

Observed is another horse at 100% career win rate and carries Juan Hernandez, a rider who's especially effective on the turf course at Del Mar. The 56.67 TrackWiz rating is marginally ahead of Shadow Nation, which makes this a genuine one-two puzzle — the ratings favor Observed slightly, but the morning line at 3/1 and the jockey pairing put it solidly in the place spot. In any race featuring multiple unbeaten horses, the exacta combining these two is where the smart money tends to flow.

Hoaxer is trained by Bob Baffert and ridden by Ricardo Gonzalez, a pairing that commands attention at any level — Baffert doesn't run horses without a plan. The 55.0 TrackWiz rating and 56 average speed keep Hoaxer within striking distance of the top two, and at 4/1, the morning line suggests market awareness that this one can run. In a stakes field where three horses are undefeated and the pace could set up for a closers' finish, Hoaxer's profile makes sense as the third piece of a tri.

Magnificat checks in at 86.35 with Joel Rosario up — it doesn't get more pedigreed than Mandella and Rosario in a stakes race on the Southern California circuit. The 50% career win rate is elite for a stakes horse, and the 56 average speed is one of the better marks in this field. At 7/2 morning line, Magnificat offers legitimate win upside too, so treat this as a strong place anchor while keeping it alive on top in your exacta.

Our Moonlight at 12/1 is the best longshot value on the board in this race, backed by a 70.35 TrackWiz rating that sits third in the field. Dean Pederson trains and Tiago Pereira rides, and a 22% career win percentage shows this is a horse that finds its way into the money with regularity. In a competitive stakes race where the top two might run each other into the ground, a fresh-legged closer with solid ratings could sneak into the frame at a juicy price — the show ticket at 12/1 is excellent value.

Dash earns the second-highest TrackWiz rating among confirmed starters at 55.83, and Michael McCarthy's barn is consistently formidable with turf maidens going a route. Ricardo Gonzalez rides from post 8, which sets up a clean outside trip on the turf, and the 55 average speed gives Dash a clear pace edge over most of the field. At 7/2, this is a natural place play regardless of what happens with the top selection.

Forewarn is another Richard Mandella trainee — he has two in this race — with Umberto Rispoli aboard, and the 55.0 TrackWiz rating puts this horse squarely in the mix. In turf maiden routes, Mandella horses often improve with each start and debut with tactical awareness; Rispoli knows how to position a horse for a late kick at a mile. The 4/1 morning line is fair, and if the race runs evenly up front, Forewarn is well-positioned to be running at the end.

For the Win at 12/1 is the deeper value angle in this race, carrying a 73.37 TrackWiz rating that ranks second in the field behind Free Closer. George Weaver is an accomplished trainer who travels horses to quality spots, and Emisael Jaramillo gets the mount in what could be a pace-setup scenario. A 33% career win rate adds credibility, and at 12/1, the exacta using Free Closer on top of For the Win could pay extremely well if the market ignores both horses.

Miss Monica is the 8/5 morning line favorite and carries a 100% career win rate with Bob Baffert conditioning and Juan Hernandez up — that's a hard combination to dismiss. The 56 average speed is solid, and an unbeaten record at any level commands respect. At short odds, Miss Monica isn't where the value lives, but as a show anchor in a race where our top two selections are overlays, this is the safety net that keeps the ticket alive.

Jetovator at 7/2 is the most logical beneficiary if Scene by Me is out, earning an 82.52 TrackWiz rating that towers over the remaining confirmed starters. Peter Eurton trains, Emisael Jaramillo rides, and a 17% career win rate with a 57 average speed makes this horse one of the fastest in the field on paper. In a five-furlong turf sprint, early position matters enormously, and Jetovator has the figures to be right there when it counts.

Ballyvaughan Gig is worth serious consideration as the show pick with the highest average speed in the race at 58 and a 70.63 TrackWiz rating. Kyle Frey has been active and effective at Del Mar this meet, and a 26% career win percentage for Isidro Tamayo's charge shows consistent competitiveness. At 4/1 on the morning line, Ballyvaughan Gig is well-priced for a horse with the top raw speed figure, and in a sprint that can turn into a speed duel, this closer profile could be sitting on a perfect setup.