Del Mar Picks: Del Mar Handicap (8/29/2026)
Written by: Chris Adams
Published: Sat Aug 29, 2026, 8:00 am ET
Read Time: 7 minutes
horses
The racing action from Del Mar on Saturday features the Del Mar H. Presented by The Japan Racing Association. @HandicappingT3 has all the Del Mar picks for the entire card!
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Del Mar Full Card Analysis
Del Mar Picks: Del Mar Handicap (8/29/2026)
Del Mar Picks – Race 1
Post Time: 2:00 PM PT; Maiden Special Weight $100k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 5 runners.
- #1 ALA SAWAB (6-5): Best Bet of the Card. Solid breeding for this spot. Favorable class relief in this spot. Bet today's best bet with industry-leading rebates on BetOnline.
- #2 EMANCIPATE (3-1): Major Player. Like this one if a stretch duel ensues.
- #3 RICCELLI (9-5): Contender. Barn has been sending out runners. Should find today's group a bit softer than the last race.
- #5 BID (8-1): Underneath. Should still have enough in the reserves if there in the final furlong. Shouldn't be disadvantaged by the flow of the race.
Selections: 1 – 2 – 3 – 5
The Plays
Win: #1 at 1-1
Pick 3 (Races 1-3): #1 with #6,4 with #5,1
Exacta: 1 / 2,3
Del Mar Picks – Race 2
Post Time: 2:30 PM PT; Maiden Claiming $30k; 5 1/2 F Dirt; Field of 10 runners.
- #6 YAUTOWN (7-2): Prime Win Player. Strong early pace figs. Rispoli puts this one in with a chance.
- #4 SEAVER WAY (8-1): Contender. Looks to get a bit easier group here. Running well of late.
- #10 RIDE THE TIGER (4-1): Fringe Contender. Should sit a good trip. Ayuso puts this one in with a chance.
- #2 CAROLINA LEGACY (5-2): Fringe Contender. May be getting a weaker field than last out.
Selections: 6 – 4 – 10 – 2
The Plays
Win: #6 at 3-1
Exacta: 6 / 4,10,2
Del Mar Picks – Race 3
Post Time: 3:00 PM PT; Allowance Optional Claiming $81k; 1 M Dirt; Field of 6 runners.
- #5 SHARED FUTURE (5-1): Longshot Play of the Day. Could be ready for a top effort. Barn has been solid. Bet today's live longshot on MyBookie.
- #1 HIMARI (9-5): Contender. Trainer is having a great meet. Looks to get a bit easier group here.
- #2 NO CAP (4-1): Contender. Potential to have this pace fall just right. Has been running well enough recently.
- #3 COZY CURLIN KITTEN (7-2): Contender. Race conditions fit this one well. Jaramillo puts this one in with a chance.
Selections: 5 – 1 – 2 – 3
The Plays
Win: #5 at 5-1
Trifecta: 5 / 1,2 / 1,2,3
Del Mar Picks – Race 4
Post Time: 3:30 PM PT; Starter Allowance $35k; 1 M Turf; Field of 8 runners.
- #8 GRANDISIMO (7-2): Top Pick. Favorable class relief in this spot. Race sets up perfectly.
- #5 DRUIDIC (6-1): Major Player. Demonstrated success under similar conditions. Trainer is having a great meet.
- #2 CAISSON (7-2): Major Player. Barn has been sending out runners.
- #4 GOLD FOOT (3-1): Major Player. Ayuso puts this one in with a chance. Potential to get the pace of the race flow.
Selections: 8 – 5 – 2 – 4
The Plays
Win: #8 at 3-1
Exacta: 8 / 5,2,4
Del Mar Picks – Race 5
Post Time: 4:00 PM PT; Maiden Claiming $40k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 12 runners.
- #8 STILL BULLETPROOF (20-1): Top Pick. Proven competitor at this configuration. Favorable class relief in this spot.
- #6 DADDYS STAR (10-1): Major Player. Good race flow for this runner. Demonstrated success under similar conditions.
- #3 QUALITY GOLD (20-1): Major Player. May be able to find the right setup.
- #9 DELANEYS DREAMER (8-1): Contender. Trainer's horses have been running. Recent races are solid.
Selections: 8 – 6 – 3 – 9
The Plays
Win: #8 at 5-1
Exacta: 8 / 6,3,9
Del Mar Picks – Race 6
Post Time: 4:30 PM PT; Maiden Special Weight $80k; 5 F Turf; Field of 14 runners.
- #10 SEAMLESS FACTOR (3-1): Top Pick. Favorable class relief in this spot.
- #6 PETITE MARIE (7-2): Major Player. Running well of late. Stamina to be in the mix late.
- #9 MAMA LOVES VEGAS (15-1): Contender. Hard to argue with the recent races. Potential to have this pace fall just right.
- #3 CADEN'S GAL (20-1): Contender. Likely to win the battle if challenged in the stretch. Race conditions fit this one well.
Selections: 10 – 6 – 9 – 3
The Plays
Win: #10 at 5-2
Exacta: 10 / 6,9,3
Del Mar Picks – Race 7
Post Time: 5:00 PM PT; Allowance Optional Claiming $81k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 12 runners.
- #8 MATT AT FIVE (5-1): Top Pick. Proven competitor at this configuration. Stamina to outlast the competition.
- #5 UNCLE CHILLY (8-1): Major Player. Ayuso and Mullins team up on this one. Productive recent form.
- #2 THIRSTY REBEL (12-1): Major Player. Previous success in similar race types. Barn has been sending out runners.
- #10 HE'S A KNOCKOUT (6-1): Major Player. Speed figs are a bit slow, but not completely hopeless against the top of the field. Shouldn't be disadvantaged by the flow of the race.
Selections: 8 – 5 – 2 – 10
The Plays
Win: #8 at 4-1
Exacta: 8 / 5,2,10
Del Mar Picks – Race 8
Post Time: 5:30 PM PT; Claiming $28k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 14 runners.
- #9 BAZOOKA CHARLIE (5-1): Top Pick. Strong early pace figs. Barn has been solid.
- #1 STANFORD DROPOUT (3-1): Major Player. Should still be running strong in the closing stages. Looks fast enough off previous efforts.
- #5 BENEFICIAL (4-1): Contender. May be able to find the right setup. Speed figs match up nicely.
- #6 JOHNLINO (20-1): Contender. Competitive enough in recent efforts. Trainer's horses have been running.
Selections: 9 – 1 – 5 – 6
The Plays
Win: #9 at 4-1
Exacta: 9 / 1,5,6
Del Mar Picks – Race 9
Post Time: 6:00 PM PT; Pat O'Brien Stakes $250k; 7 F Dirt; Field of 10 runners.
- #2 DR. VENKMAN (6-1): Top Pick. Barn has been solid.
- #3 VODKA VODKA (6-1): Major Player. Looks fast enough off previous efforts.
- #1 STRONGHOLD (6-1): Major Player. Hard to argue with the recent races. Could jump up in the figures and be dangerous.
- #5 BARTHOLDY (6-1): Contender. Race conditions fit this one well. Can compete from a speed figure standpoint.
Selections: 2 – 3 – 1 – 5
The Plays
Win: #2 at 5-1
Exacta: 2 / 3,1,5
Del Mar Picks – Race 10
Post Time: 6:30 PM PT; Del Mar H. Presented by The Japan Racing Association $300k; 1 3/8 M Turf; Field of 11 runners.
- #2 TEST SCORE (3-1): Top Pick. Love the heart this one shows in a fight. Hernandez and Motion team up on this one.
- #4 GOLD PHOENIX (5-2): Major Player. Trainer is having a great meet. Comes home strong.
- #8 MONDEGO (6-1): Major Player. Has experience at this level. Could wear these ones down late.
- #7 ATITLAN (6-1): Major Player. Recent races are solid. Expect this one to be able to carry the distance.
Selections: 2 – 4 – 8 – 7
The Plays
Win: #2 at 5-2
Exacta: 2 / 4,8,7
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Chris first got introduced to horse racing in 2009 at Canterbury Park (Shakopee, MN). Along with handicapping and betting, Chris has worked as a teller at his local track and participated in ownership partnerships. He now enjoys sharing his passion with his wife and two young daughters who love going out to the track each and every summer.
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