There is a high-quality weekend of racing action at Del Mar set to take place this weekend, with two Grade 2s and two Grade 1s on the card of action. Some of the brightest equine stars will be show in the featured races but which picks with the best horse racing sportsbooks should be made this weekend?
Del Mar Mile (Grade 2)
We will start with a look at one of the Grade 2s that is taking place at Del Mar this weekend. The Del Mar Mile is a race for horses aged three and older, and the field race across one mile on the turf. This looks set to be a two-horse race, with Mo Forza and Smooth Like Strait the two outstanding horses in the field.
The latter of those was second in the Eddie Read on his last start, but has already won in Grade 1 company this season, with his victory in the Shoemaker. However, he is 2-2 at Del Mar, with his last victory here coming in the La Jolla in 2020.
Mo Forza has the least questions to answer. The five-year-old for Peter Miller won this 12 months ago, and certainly saves his best form of the season for this meeting. It will be his season reappearance at Del Mar, but he is five from six in his illustrious career.
Pick: Mo Forza
Del Mar Oaks (Grade 1)
The Del Mar Oaks is one of two huge races for the fillies this weekend, with the other taking place in the form of the Alabama Stakes at Saratoga. The Del Mar Oaks is run over 1 1/8 miles, and looks to be an open affair.
Going Global is certainly the horse that stands out from the crowd. She should have the beating of this field after winning four from five. She has already recorded wins in the Honeymoon, Providencia and Sweet Life Stakes this season. However, she was beaten on her last start in the San Clemente Stakes by Madone, who also lines up in this race.
We would be willing to take a chance on Fluffy Socks for Chad Brown in this race. She was second in the Lake George on her last start, but produced the best run of her career at Del Mar previously when winning the Jimmy Durante.
Pick: Fluffy Socks
Pacific Classic (Grade 1)
The big race of the day at Del Mar is the Pacific Classic, which is run on the dirt over 1 ¼ miles. This is a very high quality field going to post for this race, which means a case can easily be made for many.
Express Train could be the standout horse. His only defeat this season came when losing to Royal Ship in the Hollywood Gold Cup, but he bounced back from that by beating the same horse in the San Diego Handicap. The difference between the two is form at Del Mar. Express Train is three from four, while Royal Ship is winless in three.
However, we would be keen for better value. Tizamagician could be that horse. Richard Mandella trains this competitive entry, who won at Del mar in the Cougar II Handicap on his last start. He was beaten by Express Train in the San Pasquel, but we wouldn’t rule out a strong run.
Pick: Tizamagician
