Del Mar Picks: Grade 2 John C Stakes (9/7/2026)
Written by: Chris Adams
Published: Mon Sep 07, 2026, 11:00 am ET
Read Time: 8 minutes
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Del Mar picks are here for a 11-race card topped by the Grade 2 John C Mabee Stakes. @HandicappingT3 has all your Del Mar Picks for the 11 race card!
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Del Mar Full Card Analysis
Del Mar Picks: Grade 2 John C Stakes (9/7/2026)
Del Mar Picks – Race 1
Post Time: 1:30 PM PT; Maiden Special Weight $80k; 1 M Turf; Field of 10 runners.
- #6 ROSA'S MIRACLE (5-2): Major Player. Consistently runs above the level it faces. Numbers grade out better than the raw figures suggest.
- #3 PAVULAR (3-1): Major Player. Much better than the last line indicates. Figures fit comfortably at this level.
- #5 MS GRAINGER DANGER (5-1): Contender. Outruns the class par more often than not. Top connections on the circuit with Fresu and Papaprodromou.
- #9 ICECREAM ONTHESIDE (15-1): Contender. Ran into trouble last out and deserves another look. Runs better than the bare figures indicate once class is factored in.
Selections: 6 – 3 – 5 – 9
The Plays
Win: #6 at 5-2
Trifecta: 6,3 / 6,3,5,9 / 6,3,5,9
Del Mar Picks – Race 2
Post Time: 2:05 PM PT; Maiden Claiming $16k; 5 1/2 F Dirt; Field of 12 runners.
- #7 CHERRY CANDY (5-1): Major Player. The 73 speed rating is among the top in the group. Speed numbers are right there with the top group.
- #6 DARLIN' DUCHESS (8-1): Contender. Has been exceeding what the level demands. Recent form lines measure up to these.
- #1 FORGOTTEN MEMORIES (9-2): Contender. Ran at this level last out. Lewis and Kimura team up, and that combination wins its share.
- #9 STYLISHLY BIG (7-2): Contender. Competitive in the same class recently. Strong connections with Sadler sending out Hernandez.
Selections: 7 – 6 – 1 – 9
The Plays
Win: #7 at 2-1
Trifecta: 7,6 / 7,6,1,9 / 7,6,1,9
Del Mar Picks – Race 3
Post Time: 2:38 PM PT; Claiming $50k; 5 F Turf; Field of 10 runners.
- #6 FROG (8-1): Major Player. Has been facing this kind and holding its own. McCarthy has the barn rolling and keeps Hernandez aboard.
- #3 MY GIRL MIA (6-1): Major Player. Improving with each start. Looks good based on the 93 speed rating.
- #1 PENNY THE JET (12-1): Contender. The work tab reads like a horse ready to run, not one being educated. Has been drilling steadily into the debut.
- #5 QUEEN BAY (8-1): Contender. Meaningful class relief today. Has the numbers to be involved late.
Selections: 6 – 3 – 1 – 5
The Plays
Win: #6 at 5-2
Trifecta: 6,3 / 6,3,1,5 / 6,3,1,5
Del Mar Picks – Race 4
Post Time: 3:11 PM PT; Claiming $20k; 6 1/2 F Dirt; Field of 9 runners.
- #7 BROOKYS GAL (12-1): Contender. No class question at this level. Quick enough to matter in the closing stages.
- #1 MISS KONA (3-1): Contender. Belongs on class and should be in the mix. Form lines read well against this group.
- #4 DOTTIE HINSON (4-1): Contender. Has been knocking on the door in similar spots. Numbers are competitive with anything else entered.
- #6 STAY IN LINE (5-1): Contender. Consistent enough to be a factor at this level.
Selections: 7 – 1 – 4 – 6
The Plays
Win: #7 at 7-2
Pick 3 (Races 4-6): #7, 1,4 with #3,10,12 with #6
Trifecta: 7,1 / 7,1,4,6 / 7,1,4,6
Del Mar Picks – Race 5
Post Time: 3:44 PM PT; Maiden Special Weight $80k; 1 M Turf; Field of 10 runners.
- #3 GOING NOWHERE (7-2): Major Player. Proven competitor at this configuration.
- #10 DOING TIME (12-1): Major Player. Figures have climbed in three straight.
- #12 ROYAL RUMOR (6-1): Contender. Record over this surface and trip stands out.
- #6 LOW KEY COOL (5-1): Contender. Serious work pattern behind this first start. The morning line of works shows a horse wound up for the opener.
Selections: 3 – 10 – 12 – 6
The Plays
Win: #3 at 5-2
Exacta: 3 / 10,12
Del Mar Picks – Race 6
Post Time: 4:14 PM PT; I'M Smokin Stakes $100k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 7 runners.
- #6 NET PAR (8-5): Best Bet of the Card. Clearly moving forward off the last two. Best late pace figure in the field at 86. Bet today's best bet with industry-leading rebates on BetOnline.
- #7 EARLY ENCORE (9-5): Major Player. Has been beating the par for the class.
- #2 PRIME SPLASH (20-1): Contender. Excuse for the finish position last time. Barn has been solid with this exact move.
- #5 EMPIRE OF ASH (6-1): Contender. May be able to take advantage of the pace. The Papaprodromou barn strikes at a healthy clip in this spot.
Selections: 6 – 7 – 2 – 5
The Plays
Win: #6 at 8-5
Exacta: 6 / 7,2
Del Mar Picks – Race 7
Post Time: 4:44 PM PT; Claiming $20k; 5 F Turf; Field of 13 runners.
- #1 A GREAT SHAKING (12-1): Major Player. Has handled this exact setup before.
- #9 BESSIE COLEMAN (5-1): Major Player. Pedigree says the surface switch is worth a try.
- #12 WE THE HOBBY (8-1): Contender. Consistently runs above the level it faces. Berrios takes the mount for Miller, which is worth noting.
- #3 CLUBHOUSE BRIDE (12-1): Contender. Figures fit comfortably at this level.
Selections: 1 – 9 – 12 – 3
The Plays
Win: #1 at 5-2
Exacta: 1 / 9,12
Del Mar Picks – Race 8
Post Time: 5:14 PM PT; Maiden Special Weight $100k; 5 1/2 F Dirt; Field of 10 runners.
- #8 IMPERIAL HONOR (5-2): Major Player. A well-meant first-time starter against a group that has not run to par. Nothing in here has run to the class par, which leaves the door open for a newcomer.
- #2 MIXIT (8-1): Major Player. Enough recorded works to trust the fitness. Bred to be effective on this surface right away.
- #1 BOLD TYPE (8-1): Contender. The page says this one should handle the trip first time out. Connections are as strong as any in the race.
- #5 MOONFLIGHT (12-1): Contender. Pedigree ratings support an immediate run. Family suggests precocity at this distance.
Selections: 8 – 2 – 1 – 5
The Plays
Win: #8 at 5-2
Exacta: 8 / 2,1
Del Mar Picks – Race 9
Post Time: 5:44 PM PT; Grade 2 John C Stakes $250k; 1 1/8 M Turf; Field of 10 runners.
- #4 THOUGHT PROCESS (8-5): Major Player. Course and distance record is the strongest here.
- #5 CANTO DELLA TERRA (12-1): Major Player. Numbers grade out better than the raw figures suggest.
- #2 PURA VIDA PRINCESA (12-1): Contender. Ran at this level last out.
- #7 MEDORO (7-2): Contender. Knows the surface and the trip, which counts for plenty.
Selections: 4 – 5 – 2 – 7
The Plays
Win: #4 at 5-2
Trifecta: 4,5 / 4,5,2,7 / 4,5,2,7
Del Mar Picks – Race 10
Post Time: 6:14 PM PT; Starter Allowance $20k; 6 1/2 F Dirt; Field of 13 runners.
- #9 WHISKYGINANDBRANDY (12-1): Longshot Play of the Day. Has done its best running under these exact conditions. Bet today's live longshot on MyBookie.
- #3 HARD TO FIGURE (7-2): Major Player. Competitive in the same class recently. Trainer angle here has been profitable.
- #10 JOINT VENTURE (6-1): Contender. Outruns the class par more often than not.
- #11 SMOKEM EZ (15-1): Contender. On a steady upward trend. Connections hit at a strong rate in this spot.
Selections: 9 – 3 – 10 – 11
The Plays
Win: #9 at 7-2
Trifecta: 9,3 / 9,3,10,11 / 9,3,10,11
Del Mar Picks – Race 11
Post Time: 6:44 PM PT; Maiden Special Weight $80k; 1 1/16 M Turf; Field of 14 runners.
- #10 TAIF (4-1): Major Player. Runs better than the bare figures indicate once class is factored in.
- #3 GO RALPH (6-1): Major Player. Has been facing this kind and holding its own.
- #4 CONSTITUTION ANDI (6-1): Contender. No class question at this level.
- #9 PARKER'S CANDY (5-1): Contender. Belongs on class and should be in the mix.
Selections: 10 – 3 – 4 – 9
The Plays
Win: #10 at 5-2
Trifecta: 10,3 / 10,3,4,9 / 10,3,4,9
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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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