Starting Wednesday, July 19 and concluding on Monday, September 4, the Del Mar Turf Club summer meet holds a wealth of racing and wagering action. With only a few years under it's belt since switching back to dirt, and with the Breeders' Cup coming in the fall, there are many reasons to keep a close eye on the races, but even more reasons to keep your wallett closer to the betting opportunities that will develop.

Download this FREE betting tool from TwinSpires.com, which provides the lay of the land for the 2017 Del Mar Race Meet.

Graded Stakes Schedule Overview

by Alastair Bull

As well as being a great destination, Del Mar will host some of the country’s best horses. And with the seaside track hosting the Breeders’ Cup for the first time this year, the summer meet also gives potential Breeders’ Cup contenders extra experience for the most important racedays of the fall.

The season begins with a bang with the San Diego Handicap (G2) July 22. This race has been growing in stature, and last year it was won by California Chrome after a stirring battle with Dortmund. This year it is set to feature the return of the world’s highest-rated horse, Arrogate, who has won seven straight. The San Diego Handicap will be his first start since a stirring victory in the Dubai World Cup at the end of March. The San Diego Handicap is the most important lead-up to the richest and most prestigious race of the meet, the $1 million Pacific Classic (G1) at 1 1/4 miles Aug. 19. In the past two years it has been won by champions California Chrome and Beholder, and it is a likely target for Arrogate.

The first Grade I races at Del Mar come at the end of July. The six furlong Bing Crosby Stakes, one of California’s biggest sprints, is on Saturday, July 29, and the next day features the Clement L. Hirsch Stakes. One of California’s premier races for fillies and mares, the Clement L. Hirsch was won three times by Zenyatta last decade, and its last two editions were won by Beholder and Stellar Wind.

Del Mar also hosts the first Grade I races in California for 2-year-olds, the Del Mar Debutante for fillies Sept. 2 and Del Mar Futurity the following day. Futurity winners in recent years include Nyquist and American Pharoah, while champion filly Songbird won the Debutante two years ago. Both races are at seven furlongs, and the juveniles get important leadups in the Sorrento Stakes (G2) for fillies Aug 5, and the Best Pal Stakes (G2) Aug. 12.

The Del Mar turf hosts nine graded stakes races. The most important is the Del Mar Oaks (G1) on Pacific Classic Day, Aug 19. Run over 1 1/8 miles, this attracts many of the best 3-year-old turf fillies in the country. Colts and geldings get their chance in the Del Mar Derby (G2) Sept. 3.

Also significant on the turf are two races for turf milers, the Eddie Read Stakes (G2) July 22 and the Del Mar Mile (G2) Aug 20. Midnight Storm won both races last year prior to finishing third in the Breeders’ Cup Mile. Fillies and mares are also well catered for on turf, with the Yellow Ribbon Handicap (G2) Aug. 5 and the John C. Mabee Stakes (G2) Sept. 2, while the stayers get their chance in the 1 3/8 mile Del Mar Handicap (G2) Aug. 19.

With these and several other top races, Del Mar will keep players interested throughout the meet.

Del Mar Stakes Schedule

Date	Race	Grade	Purse	Restrictions	Surface	Distance
Wednesday, Jul 19	Oceanside Stakes		$100,000	3YO	Turf	1 Mile
Friday, Jul 21	Osunitas Stakes		$75,000	F&M, 3&UP	Turf	1 1/16 Miles
Saturday, Jul 22	San Diego Handicap	Gr. II	$300,000	3&UP	Dirt	1 1/16 Miles
Saturday, Jul 22	Eddie Read Stakes	Gr. II	$250,000	3&UP	Turf	1 1/8 Miles
Sun. Jul. 23	San Clemente Handicap	Gr. II	$200,000	F3YO	Turf	1 Mile
Sun. Jul. 23	Wickerr Stakes		$75,000	3&UP	Turf	1 Mile
Wed. Jul. 26	Cougar II Handicap	Gr. III	$100,000	3&UP	Dirt	1 1/2 Miles
Fri. Jul. 28	Real Good Deal Stakes		$150,000	3YO	Dirt	7 Furlongs
Sat. Jul. 29	Bing Crosby Stakes	Gr. I	$300,000	3&UP	Dirt	6 Furlongs
Sat. Jul. 29	California Dreamin’ Stakes		$150,000	3&UP	Turf	1 1/16 Miles
Sun. Jul. 30	Clement L. Hirsch Stakes	Gr. I	$300,000	F&M, 3&UP	Dirt	1 1/16 Miles
Sun. Jul. 30	Fleet Treat Stakes		$150,000	F3YO	Dirt	7 Furlongs
Wed. Aug. 2	CTBA Stakes		$100,000	F2YO	Dirt	5 1/2 Furlongs
Fri. Aug. 4	Daisycutter Handicap		$75,000	F&M, 3&UP	Turf	5 Furlongs
Sat. Aug. 5	Sorrento Stakes	Gr. II	$200,000	F2YO	Dirt	6 1/2 Furlongs
Sat. Aug. 5	Yellow Ribbon Handicap	Gr. II	$200,000	F&M, 3&UP	Turf	1 1/16 Miles
Sun. Aug. 6	La Jolla Handicap	Gr. III	$150,000	3YO	Turf	1 1/16 Miles
Sunday, Aug 6	Graduation Stakes		$100,000	2YO	Dirt	5 1/2 Furlongs
Friday, Aug 11	Solana Beach Stakes		$150,000	F&M, 3&UP	Turf	1 1/16 Miles
Saturday, Aug 12	Best Pal Stakes	Gr. II	$200,000	2YO	Dirt	6 1/2 Furlongs
Sunday, Aug 13	Rancho Bernardo Handicap	Gr. III	$100,000	F&M, 3&UP	Dirt	6 1/2 Furlongs
Wednesday, Aug 16	CTT and TOC Handicap		$75,000	F&M, 3&UP	Turf	1 3/8 Miles
Friday, Aug 18	Green Flash Handicap		$75,000	3&UP	Turf	5 Furlongs
Saturday, Aug 19	Pacific Classic	Gr. I	$1,000,000	3&UP	Dirt	1 1/4 Miles
Saturday, Aug 19	Del Mar Oaks	Gr. I	$300,000	F3YO	Turf	1 1/8 Miles
Saturday, Aug 19	Del Mar Handicap	Gr. II	$250,000	3&UP	Turf	1 3/8 Miles
Sunday, Aug 20	Del Mar Mile	Gr. II	$200,000	3&UP	Turf	1 Mile
Wednesday, Aug 23	Harry F. Brubaker Stakes		$75,000	3&UP	Dirt	1 Mile
Friday, Aug 25	Tranquility Lake Stakes		$75,000	F&M, 3&UP	Dirt	1 Mile
Saturday, Aug 26	Pat O’Brien Stakes	Gr. II	$200,000	3&UP	Dirt	7 Furlongs
Saturday, Aug 26	Shared Belief Stakes		$100,000	3YO	Dirt	1 Mile
Sunday, Aug 27	Torrey Pines Stakes	Gr. III	$100,000	F3YO	Dirt	1 Mile
Wednesday, Aug 30	Generous Portion Stakes		$100,000	F2YO	Dirt	6 Furlongs
Friday, Sep 1	I’m Smokin Stakes		$100,000	2YO	Dirt	6 Furlongs
Saturday, Sep 2	Del Mar Debutante	Gr. I	$300,000	F2YO	Dirt	7 Furlongs
Saturday, Sep 2	John C. Mabee Stakes	Gr. II	$200,000	F&M, 3&UP	Turf	1 1/8 Miles
Sunday, Sep 3	Del Mar Derby	Gr. II	$250,000	3YO	Turf	1 1/8 Miles
Sunday, Sep 3	Del Mar Juvenile Turf		$100,000	2YO	Turf	1 Mile
Monday, Sep 4	Del Mar Futurity	Gr. I	$300,000	2YO	Dirt	7 Furlongs
Monday, Sep 4	Del Mar Juvenile Fillies Turf		$100,000	F2YO	Turf	1 Mile
Monday, Sep 4	C.E.R.F. Stakes		$75,000	F&M, 3&UP	Dirt	6 Furlongs

Juvenile Stars Come Out at Del Mar

by James Scully

Del Mar is known for 2-year-old racing, with juvenile champions American Pharoah, Songbird, Nyquist and Champagne Room competing at the seaside oval during the last three summer sessions, and the 2017 meet holds added significance with the Breeders’ Cup making its first appearance at the track this fall.

Many exciting prospects will be unveiled over the next seven weeks and a pair of centerpiece events, the Del Mar Futurity (G1) on September 4 and Del Mar Debutante (G1) two days earlier, are offered at the conclusion of the meet.

Here is a preview of 2-year-olds with racing experience who may be pointing toward Del Mar, listed by trainer:

Bob Baffert

No race is more deserving of Bob Baffert’s namesake than the Del Mar Futurity. The Hall of Fame trainer has posted a remarkable 13 wins in the important 7-furlong test, including victories by Triple Crown hero American Pharoah and Hall of Famer Silver Charm, and he has 35 horses nominated to the

2017 edition. Along with 24 nominees to the Debutante, Baffert could have more than 50 2-year-olds in action at Del Mar. Here are a few prominent runners who have started:

DIAMONDSANDPEARLS: With $1.7 million price tag, Congrats filly brought lofty expectations into debut and didn’t disappoint, rolling to 6 ¼-length maiden tally at Santa Anita in early June. August 5 Sorrento (G3) up next.

SERENGETI: By Algorithms, front-running colt blitzed foes posting 11-length maiden second-time out in late June. August 12 Best Pal (G2) likely target but also nominated to July 22 Sanford (G2) at Saratoga.

ZULFIKHAR: Romped making initial appearance at Los Alamitos on July 7, drawing off to 3 ¾-length decision. $750,000 Bodemeister colt headed to Best Pal.

Doug O’Neill

Both of Doug O’Neill’s Kentucky Derby winners, I’ll Have Another and Nyquist, raced at Del Mar as juveniles and accomplished conditioner is expected to feature another deep roster of 2-year-olds this year.

HONEYMOONZ OVER: Second to Run Away and third to Serengeti, Congrats ridgling appears poised to graduate if he remains in maiden company.

SAUDI CHROMA: California-bred daughter of Lucky Pulpit drew off to smart 3 ¼-length tally when debuting in late May.

TYFOSHA: Gray filly bet down to 1-2 in debut but wound up a clear second to Surrender Now, who came back to win Landaluce by eight lengths. By Flatter, Tyfosha shows recent 6-furlong bullet work for second start."
Jeff Bonde

ISMELUCKY: After a runner-up effort, Lucky Pulpit filly rolled to easy win over open rivals when making second start at Santa Anita in mid-May.

Simon Callaghan

RUN AWAY: Bet down to odds-on in a pair of starts, Run Away and Hide colt has displayed high speed while easily defeating foes on the front end, most recently annexing the July 3 Santa Anita Juvenile by a 1 ½-length margin. Best Pal figures to be on his agenda.

Michael Machowsky

RUNAWAY GHOST: After just missing versus Argosy Fleet, front-running Ghostzapper colt drew off to sharp maiden tally the second-time out at Santa Anita in June.

Alfredo Marquez

BIG BOY CANDY: Twirling Candy colt rolled to an 8 ¼-length debut win and exits a third in the Santa Anita Juvenile.

Peter Miller

SURRENDER NOW: From the first crop of Morning Line, speedy filly displayed a dynamic turn of foot drawing away to eight- length score in July 2 Landaluce. Sorrento is next.

Kristin Mulhall

SIR VALENTINE: Made short work of state-bred foes at Santa Anita in May and Heat Shield colt shows fast series of works in preparation for stakes bow.

Gary Sherlock

EMPRESS OF LOV: Convincing maiden winner two back, Empire Way filly exits a fourth in Landaluce. Eligible to be a major factor in California-bred stakes.

Eddie Truman

ARGOSY FLEET: A game debut winner in May, Mineshaft colt exits runner-up finish in Santa Anita Juvenile."

Handicapping Del Mar With BRIS All-Ways Data

by Ed DeRosa

If there’s one race type you want to pay attention to this summer at Del Mar when using Brisnet.com Past Performances, let it be turf sprints.

Unfortunately, turf sprints have made up less than 10% of all races since 2012, so a half dozen such races per week seems to be the absolute max, but the proprietary data found in Brisnet PPs such as Speed Ratings and Prime Power performs well in these types of races, so you should make the most of these opportunities.

Since 2012, there have been 119 turf sprints at Del Mar. The top-ranked horse by last-out Speed Rating has won “only” 28% of those races, but the return on investment is a robust +22.5%. Another positive ROI category among the top-ranked horses is Quirin Points, which supports handicapper Scott Shapiro’s thought that when in doubt in these turf sprints, take the horse who’s likely to make the lead. The top-ranked Quirin horse wins “only” 27% of the time, but the ROI is an even more robust 46.5%.

Prime Power is better for landing on standouts than action plays. The top-ranked horse by Prime Power in turf sprints wins just 23% of the time and is overbet with an ROI of -17%. However, when the edge is at least 7 points the win percentage balloons to 32% with a +1% ROI.

The big Prime Power gaps are powerful across all race types. In dirt sprints, it’s 54% winners when the gap is at least seven, however, the ROI is -2%. This is beating the wagering public, but it does mean these horses get crushed. Better as singles in multi-race wagers than win candidates.

Dirt and turf routes fare better in the ROI category with more than 50% winners AND a positive ROI with a gap of at least 6 points.

In 2,131 races at Del Mar since 2012, the best last-out Brisnet.com Speed Rating has won 25% while the top Prime Power is at 26%. These numbers suggest that favorites could be more vulnerable here than at most tracks. Of course, they win their fair share, but if a horse is close in ability to the favorite, it appears more lucrative to take the longer price.

You can find All-Ways data products here.

 

Del Mar Race Meet Statistics and Information for Handicapping

Top Jockeys and Top Trainers of the Past 3 Years

 

DEL MAR JOCKEYS 2016

JOCKEY STARTS 1ST 2ND 3RD WIN % EARNINGS

1. Rafael Bejarano 175 38 34 23 22% $2,545,394

2. Flavien Prat 215 38 32 29 18% $2,431,351

3. Santiago Gonzalez 221 31 34 21 14% $1,508,387

4. Kent Desormeaux 145 25 28 21 17% $1,702,510

5. Tyler Baze 195 23 25 35 12% $1,442,848

6. Norberto Arroyo Jr. 127 19 13 17 15% $1,038,782

7. Stewart Elliott 109 17 10 9 16% $652,590

8. Victor Espinoza 79 15 10 12 19% $1,641,910

9. Tiago Pereira 104 13 12 10 13% $664,490

10. Gary Stevens 68 11 8 2 16% $1,004,431

DEL MAR TRAINERS 2016

JOCKEY STARTS 1ST 2ND 3RD WIN % EARNINGS

1. Phil D’Amato 108 23 14 13 21% $1,503,154

2. Peter Miller 115 21 16 16 18% $1,069,206

3. Richard Baltas 94 20 18 11 21% $1,223,188

4. Bob Baffert 77 19 17 8 25% $1,691,775

5. Doug O’Neill 135 11 18 24 8% $894,438

6. John Sadler 62 11 8 11 18% $810,080

7. Mark Glatt 60 11 11 10 18% $478,581

8. James Cassidy 53 10 4 8 19% $525,319

9. Michael Machowsky 24 9 0 3 38% $279,122

10. Richard Mandella 33 7 6 1 21% $779,592

DEL MAR JOCKEYS 2015

JOCKEY STARTS 1ST 2ND 3RD WIN % EARNINGS

1. Rafael Bejarano 223 39 42 30 17% $2,470,590

2. Flavien Prat 194 30 29 26 15% $2,222,694

3. Joe Talamo 196 27 18 16 14% $1,603,448

4. Tyler Baze 216 26 28 32 12% $1,727,242

5. Mario Gutierrez 143 26 16 14 18% $1,614,256

6. Santiago Gonzalez 183 23 18 24 13% $1,366,186

7. Kent Desormeaux 108 21 13 14 19% $1,147,144

8. Martin Garcia 142 18 15 17 13% $1,310,580

9. Corey Nakatani 89 16 11 4 18% $768,816

10. Tiago Pereira 109 14 9 8 13% $600,510

DEL MAR TRAINERS 2015

JOCKEY STARTS 1ST 2ND 3RD WIN % EARNINGS

1. Jerry Hollendorfer 104 22 12 15 21% $1,535,072

2. Peter Miller 141 20 22 17 14% $1,375,276

3. Doug O’Neill 110 17 21 13 15% $1,521,300

4. Richard Baltas 79 17 6 14 22% $932,956

5. Phil D’Amato 91 14 13 12 15% $1,055,582

6. Bob Baffert 66 13 13 8 20% $1,083,920

7. Mike Puype 79 12 4 10 15% $671,302

8. John Sadler 60 11 6 6 18% $645,734

9. Bob Hess 59 11 4 10 19% $395,842

10. Richard Mandella 42 8 6 9 19% $1,588,626

DEL MAR JOCKEYS 2014

JOCKEY STARTS 1ST 2ND 3RD WIN % EARNINGS

1. Rafael Bejarano 196 42 33 30 21% $2,629,022

2. Kent Desormeaux 174 32 31 25 18% $2,256,606

3. Elvis Trujillo 199 30 24 30 15% $1,848,932

4. Mike Smith 122 27 13 14 22% $2,773,584

5. Tyler Baze 212 21 27 25 10% $1,697,990

6. Drayden Van Dyke 181 20 24 23 11% $1,151,268

7. Victor Espinoza 133 19 14 17 14% $1,787,076

8. Joe Talamo 212 19 27 25 9% $1,751,994

9. Fernando Perez 152 17 12 11 11% $859,302

10. Corey Nakatani 88 15 7 13 17% $1,269,114

DEL MAR TRAINERS 2014

JOCKEY STARTS 1ST 2ND 3RD WIN % EARNINGS

1. Jerry Hollendorfer 96 20 20 11 21% $1,996,986

2. Peter Miller 132 20 15 19 15% $1,153,054

3. John Sadler 112 17 11 19 15% $1,231,918

4. Doug O’Neill 134 16 19 21 12% $1,312,766

5. Bob Hess 62 15 9 7 24% $595,560

6. Bob Baffert 71 12 9 8 17% $1,116,490

7. Phil D’Amato 71 11 5 14 15% $987,970

8. Vann Belvoir 47 9 3 3 19% $233,040

9. Mark Glatt 63 8 13 10 13% $666,152

10. Richard Baltas 52 8 7 4 15% $549,192

Del Mar At A Glance From the 2016 Bing Crosby Full Meet

Avg. Winning Odds: 5.02 - 1
Favorite Win%: 33%, Favorite Itm%: 66%
EXOTICS	PAYOFF
Quinella	41.18
Exacta	78.68
Daily Double	77.11
Trifecta	611.60
Pick 3	571.64
Superfecta	3,641.34
Pick 4	3,937.05
Pick 5	17,531.08
Pick 6 Jackpot	59,791.94
Place Pick All	3,457.84
Super High Five	18,440.67

 

TRACK BIAS MEET(11/11 - 12/04)
Distance	# Race	% Wire	Best Style	Best Posts
6.0fDirt	19	42%	E	Mid/Out
6.5fDirt	14	43%	E	Mid/Out
1 MileDirt	23	48%	E	Inside
1 1/16mDirt	2	0%	E/P	Inside
Turf Sprint	10	40%	E	Outside
Turf Routes	38	18%	S	Outside

 

TRACK BIAS WEEK(11/28 - 12/04)
Distance	# Race	% Wire	Best Style	Best Posts
6.0fDirt	5	20%	E/P	Outside
6.5fDirt	3	100%	E	Rail
1 MileDirt	6	50%	E	Inside
1 1/16mDirt	2	0%	E/P	Inside
Turf Sprint	4	25%	P	Outside
Turf Routes	10	20%	S	Outside

 

Who's HOT, Who's NOT
HOT TRAINERS	Starts	Wins	Place	Show	Avg. Odds	Winning Favorites	'15-' 16 Win%
Miller Peter	24	10	3	4	5.11	7	19%
Motion H. Graham	8	4	1	0	6.09	1	16%
Sadler John W.	11	4	1	1	10.42	1	16%
Morey William E.	3	3	0	0	3.50	1	19%
Gaines Carla	5	2	0	0	5.42	1	11%
HOT JOCKEYS	Starts	Wins	Place	Show	Avg. Odds	Winning Favorites	'15-' 16 Win%
Desormeaux Kent J.	20	5	2	2	8.30	0	17%
Stevens Gary L.	8	2	0	0	14.08	0	15%
COLD TRAINERS	Starts	Wins	Place	Show	Avg. Odds	Beaten Favorites	'15-' 16 Win%
Eurton Peter	14	0	1	1	17.30	2	15%
Belvoir Vann	12	0	2	1	38.08	0	9%
Dollase Craig	10	0	0	0	25.68	0	10%
Puype Mike	10	0	1	1	5.00	2	14%
COLD JOCKEYS	Starts	Wins	Place	Show	Avg. Odds	Beaten Favorites	'15-' 16 Win%
Pereira Tiago Josue	17	0	3	2	21.25	1	11%

 

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