Del Mar Picks: Grade 1 Pacific Classic (8/22/2026)

Chris Adams

Written by: Chris Adams

Published: Sat Aug 22, 2026, 10:00 am ET

Read Time: 8 minutes

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The racing action from Del Mar on Saturday features the Pacific Classic Stakes. @HandicappingT3 has all the Del Mar picks for the entire card!

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Del Mar Full Card Analysis

Del Mar Picks: Grade 1 Pacific Classic (8/22/2026)

Del Mar Picks: Grade 1 Pacific Classic (8/22/2026)

Del Mar Picks – Race 1

Post Time: 2:00 PM PT; Maiden Claiming $40k; 1 M Turf; Field of 11 runners.

  • #8 FLAMBOYANT (8-1): Top Pick. Solid closing kick.
  • #3 PLETTENBERG BAY (6-1): Major Player. Demonstrated success under similar conditions. Should take a liking to the race shape.
  • #1 BOGARTS BUCCHERO (7-2): Major Player. Barn has been sending out runners. Could wear these ones down late.
  • #9 MIGHTY TORO (8-1): Contender. Trainer's horses have been running. Can compete from a speed figure standpoint.

Selections: 8 – 3 – 1 – 9

The Plays

Win: #8 at 5-1

Exacta: 8 / 3,1,9

Del Mar Picks – Race 2

Post Time: 2:32 PM PT; Claiming $28k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 14 runners.

  • #9 SHADY STRIPES (2-1): Top Pick. Barn has been solid.
  • #8 CELESTIAL SKIES (12-1): Major Player. Running well of late. Trainer is having a great meet.
  • #6 MY GIRL MIA (4-1): Major Player. May be able to find the right setup.
  • #3 VRONAWAY (12-1): Contender. Potential to get the pace of the race flow. Speed figs are a bit slow, but not completely hopeless against the top of the field.

Selections: 9 – 8 – 6 – 3

The Plays

Win: #9 at 7-5

Exacta: 9 / 8,6,3

Del Mar Picks – Race 3

Post Time: 3:03 PM PT; Allowance Optional Claiming $81k; 1 1/16 M Turf; Field of 13 runners.

  • #10 VENTRY STRAND (5-1): Top Pick. Solid closing kick. Races competitive with the top contenders.
  • #9 CHROMEFLASH (8-1): Major Player. Looks fast enough off previous efforts.
  • #11 CARDIFF CRACK (15-1): Major Player. Should sit a good trip.
  • #12 ALLEQUIN SUMMER (9-2): Contender. Could be grinding down the competition late. Likely to win the battle if challenged in the stretch.

Selections: 10 – 9 – 11 – 12

The Plays

Win: #10 at 4-1

Exacta: 10 / 9,11,12

Del Mar Picks – Race 4

Post Time: 3:35 PM PT; Maiden Special Weight $100k; 1 M Dirt; Field of 7 runners.

Longshot Play of the Day

  • #4 FLIGHT CLUB (6-1): Longshot Play of the Day. Proven competitor at this configuration. Bet today's live longshot on MyBookie.
  • #2 BOSS MAN BOLT (5-1): Major Player. Like this one if a stretch duel ensues. Likely to get forward position.
  • #6 TAKE A PICTURE (3-1): Underneath. Should find today's group a bit softer than the last race.
  • #1 WILL DO ONE (12-1): Underneath. Should still have enough in the reserves if there in the final furlong.

Selections: 4 – 2 – 6 – 1

The Plays

Win: #4 at 5-1

Trifecta: 4 / 2,6 / 2,6,1

Del Mar Picks – Race 5

Post Time: 4:10 PM PT; Green Flash Handicap Presented by Longines $200k; 5 F Turf; Field of 10 runners.

  • #6 MOTORIOUS (5-2): Top Pick. Solid closing kick. Love the heart this one shows in a fight.
  • #8 NO NAY HUDSON (5-1): Major Player. Speed figures match this group well. Trainer is having a great meet.
  • #9 SORRENTO SKY (8-1): Major Player. Has been running well enough recently. Likely to maintain its stamina reserves for a strong finish.
  • #5 SUMTER (4-1): Contender. Potential to get the pace of the race flow. Competitive enough in recent efforts.

Selections: 6 – 8 – 9 – 5

The Plays

Win: #6 at 1-1

Exacta: 6 / 8,9

Del Mar Picks – Race 6

Post Time: 4:40 PM PT; Maiden Special Weight $100k; 5 1/2 F Dirt; Field of 11 runners.

  • #6 FURIOSITY (7-2): Top Pick. Proven competitor at this configuration.
  • #9 SEA'S NO JOKE (4-1): Major Player. Well bred for this race. Demonstrated success under similar conditions.
  • #1 CHASEHER (20-1): Contender. The 74 speed rating is among the best in the field. Should find today's group a bit softer than the last race.
  • #11 THEBEACHISBACK (8-1): Contender. Race conditions fit this one well. Trainer's horses have been running.

Selections: 6 – 9 – 1 – 11

The Plays

Win: #6 at 3-1

Exacta: 6 / 9,1,11

Del Mar Picks – Race 7

Post Time: 5:10 PM PT; Allowance Optional Claiming $82k; 1 M Turf; Field of 14 runners.

  • #5 AMERICAN HOPE (8-1): Top Pick. Love the heart this one shows in a fight. Solid closing kick.
  • #8 LONESOME STEW (6-1): Major Player. Trainer is having a great meet. Expected to maintain its energy reserves into the final stretch.
  • #10 FIRST PEACE (7-2): Major Player. Barn has been sending out runners.
  • #1 ADIOS COLE (12-1): Major Player. Potential to get the pace of the race flow. Ran at this level last out.

Selections: 5 – 8 – 10 – 1

The Plays

Win: #5 at 5-1

Exacta: 5 / 8,10,1

Del Mar Picks – Race 8

Post Time: 5:40 PM PT; Allowance Optional Claiming $81k; 1 M Dirt; Field of 9 runners.

  • #7 MAGNIFY (3-1): Top Pick. Decent form of late. Proven competitor at this configuration.
  • #9 SANTARENA (5-1): Major Player. Expected to maintain its energy reserves into the final stretch. Looks fast enough off previous efforts.
  • #5 PURE MADNESS (5-1): Major Player. Ayuso and Koriner team up on this one. Potential to have this pace fall just right.
  • #6 FROSTY INDULGENCE (15-1): Major Player. Race shape gives this one an edge. Rispoli and Davis team up on this one.

Selections: 7 – 9 – 5 – 6

The Plays

Win: #7 at 5-2

Exacta: 7 / 9,5,6

Del Mar Picks – Race 9

Post Time: 6:10 PM PT; Del Mar Oaks Presented by Keeneland Sales $300k; 1 1/8 M Turf; Field of 10 runners.

  • #9 KENSINGTON LANE (3-1): Top Pick. Comes in with solid form. Looks good based on the 92 speed rating which is among the top in the group.
  • #3 TAM TAM (4-1): Major Player. Potentially cycling to a top performance. May be able to take advantage of the pace.
  • #6 INBOX (10-1): Major Player. Previous success in similar race types. Speed figs match up nicely.
  • #7 PEANUTBUTTERBOMBE (12-1): Contender. Shouldn't be disadvantaged by the flow of the race. May be getting a weaker field than last out.

Selections: 9 – 3 – 6 – 7

The Plays

Win: #9 at 5-2

Pick 3 (Races 9-11): #9,3,6 with #11 with #12,9,7

Exacta: 9 / 3,6,7

Del Mar Picks – Race 10

Post Time: 6:43 PM PT; Pacific Classic Stakes $1000k; 1 1/4 M Dirt; Field of 11 runners.

  • #11 KNIGHTSBRIDGE (5-2): Best Bet of the Card. Barn has been solid. Proven competitor at this configuration. Bet today's best bet with industry-leading rebates on BetOnline.
  • #7 HIT SHOW (6-1): Underneath. May be able to take advantage of the pace. Geroux and Cox team up on this one.
  • #2 FORGED STEEL (5-1): Underneath. Should find today's group a bit softer than the last race. Barn has been sending out runners.
  • #9 NAVAJO WARRIOR (8-1): Underneath. Recent races are solid. Race shape gives this one an edge.

Selections: 11 – 7 – 2 – 9

The Plays

Win: #11 at 1-1

Exacta: 11 / 7,2,9

Del Mar Picks – Race 11

Post Time: 7:18 PM PT; Del Mar Mile Stakes $300k; 1 M Turf; Field of 12 runners.

  • #12 EL POTENTE (7-2): Top Pick. Race sets up perfectly. Looks good based on the 97 speed rating which is among the top in the group.
  • #9 KING OF GOSFORD (5-1): Major Player. Demonstrated success under similar conditions. Top connections on the circuit with Rispoli and Damato.
  • #7 ALMENDARES (6-1): Major Player. Hard to argue with the recent races. Likely to maintain its stamina reserves for a strong finish.
  • #1 CABO SPIRIT (8-1): Contender. Solid turn of foot. Smith and Papaprodromou team up on this one.

Selections: 12 – 9 – 7 – 1

The Plays

Win: #12 at 3-1

Exacta: 12 / 9,7,1

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Chris Adams
Chris Adams

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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