Del Mar Picks: Grade 2 Del Mar Derby (8/23/2026)
Written by: Chris Adams
Published: Sun Aug 23, 2026, 8:00 am ET
Read Time: 6 minutes
horses
The racing action from Del Mar on Sunday features the Caesars Sportsbook Del Mar Derby. @HandicappingT3 has all the Del Mar picks for the entire card!
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Del Mar Full Card Analysis
Del Mar Picks: Grade 2 Del Mar Derby (8/23/2026)
Del Mar Picks – Race 1
Post Time: 2:00 PM PT; Claiming $32k; 5 1/2 F Dirt; Field of 8 runners.
- #5 BABY NEEDS SHOES (4-1): Top Pick. Strong early pace figs. Race may setup for this runner.
- #8 DUSTEM TOO (5-1): Major Player. Demonstrated success under similar conditions. Expected to maintain its energy reserves into the final stretch.
- #1 COTTA RIDE (5-1): Major Player. Not likely to be short in the stretch. Previous success in similar race types.
- #7 MISCHIEVOUS BEV (7-2): Major Player. Trainer's horses have been running.
Selections: 5 – 8 – 1 – 7
The Plays
Win: #5 at 3-1
Exacta: 5 / 8,1,7
Del Mar Picks – Race 2
Post Time: 2:30 PM PT; Claiming $25k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 8 runners.
- #8 PERFECT LIFE (8-1): Longshot Play of the Day. Kimura puts this one in with a chance. Shouldn't have trouble getting the distance. Bet today's live longshot on MyBookie.
- #3 ELTONSINGSANOTHER (7-2): Major Player. Likely to get forward position. Good race flow for this runner.
- #7 BAYTOWN BUTTERFLY (5-2): Contender. Barn has been sending out runners. Speed figs match up nicely.
- #1 BUDS N SUDS (5-1): Contender. Expect this one to be able to carry the distance. Race conditions fit this one well.
Selections: 8 – 3 – 7 – 1
The Plays
Win: #8 at 5-1
Trifecta: 8 / 3,7 / 3,7,1
Del Mar Picks – Race 3
Post Time: 3:00 PM PT; Claiming $36k; 1 M Dirt; Field of 7 runners.
- #6 JOINT VENTURE (5-2): Top Pick. Stamina to outlast the competition. Strong early pace figs.
- #7 HARD TO FIGURE (2-1): Major Player. Top connections on the circuit with Rosario and Yakteen. Demonstrated success under similar conditions.
- #2 HABEAS (6-1): Contender. Previous success in similar race types. Speed figs match up nicely.
- #3 MIGHTY KAI (4-1): Contender. Race conditions fit this one well.
Selections: 6 – 7 – 2 – 3
The Plays
Win: #6 at 2-1
Exacta: 6 / 2,3
Del Mar Picks – Race 4
Post Time: 3:30 PM PT; Maiden Claiming $30k; 5 F Dirt; Field of 12 runners.
- #8 BO DIDDLEY (3-1): Best Bet of the Card. Baze and Miyadi team up on this one. Shouldn't have trouble getting the distance. Bet today's best bet with industry-leading rebates on BetOnline.
- #10 JOHNNY B (5-2): Contender. Likely to take a step forward. Likely to get forward position.
- #4 WINSOR GEORGE (4-1): Contender. Jaramillo puts this one in with a chance. Could jump up in the figures and be dangerous.
- #6 MRSAINTPATRICK (6-1): Fringe Contender. May be getting a weaker field than last out.
Selections: 8 – 10 – 4 – 6
The Plays
Win: #8 at 5-2
Pick 3 (Races 4-6): #8,10 with #13 with #8,3
Exacta: 8 / 10,4,6
Del Mar Picks – Race 5
Post Time: 4:00 PM PT; Maiden Special Weight $80k; 5 F Turf; Field of 14 runners.
- #13 SACRED SOUND (5-2): Prime Win Player. Favorable class relief in this spot. Race may setup for this runner.
- #11 MAGGLES MCGEE (7-2): Contender. Comes home strong. Speed figures match this group well.
- #14 FIRST LIGHT (12-1): Fringe Contender. Could wear these ones down late. Hard to argue with the recent races.
- #8 UNUSUAL EXCHANGE (6-1): Underneath. Speed figs are a bit slow, but not completely hopeless against the top of the field. May be getting a weaker field than last out.
Selections: 13 – 11 – 14 – 8
The Plays
Win: #13 at 2-1
Exacta: 13 / 11,14
Del Mar Picks – Race 6
Post Time: 4:30 PM PT; Claiming $27k; 1 M Dirt; Field of 10 runners.
- #8 HONDO CROUCH (7-2): Prime Win Player. Stamina to outlast the competition. Looks good based on the 89 speed rating which is among the top in the group.
- #3 CHE (4-1): Contender. Looks fast enough off previous efforts. Demonstrated success under similar conditions.
- #4 BAKO COUNTRY (6-1): Fringe Contender. Previous success in similar race types. Has experience at this level.
- #7 SUNK COST FALLACY (12-1): Fringe Contender. Trainer's horses have been running. Race conditions fit this one well.
Selections: 8 – 3 – 4 – 7
The Plays
Win: #8 at 3-1
Exacta: 8 / 3,4,7
Del Mar Picks – Race 7
Post Time: 5:00 PM PT; Caesars Sportsbook Del Mar Derby $300k; 1 1/8 M Turf; Field of 9 runners.
- #7 JORDI BEAR (8-1): Top Pick. Solid closing kick.
- #3 SECURED FREEDOM (8-1): Major Player. Good race flow for this runner. Demonstrated success under similar conditions.
- #5 BUST OUT (8-1): Major Player. Should sit a good trip. Hard to argue with the recent races.
- #1 PROLETARIAT (9-5): Major Player. Race conditions fit this one well. Could be grinding down the competition late.
Selections: 7 – 3 – 5 – 1
The Plays
Win: #7 at 5-1
Trifecta: 7 / 3,5 / 3,5,1
Del Mar Picks – Race 8
Post Time: 5:30 PM PT; Maiden Claiming $27k; 6 1/2 F Dirt; Field of 11 runners.
- #7 DARLIN' DUCHESS (12-1): Top Pick. Favorable class relief in this spot.
- #4 SOPHIA MIJA (4-1): Major Player. Potentially cycling to a top performance. Trainer is having a great meet.
- #10 BIG WHOOSH (8-1): Major Player. Should find today's group a bit softer than the last race. Barn has been sending out runners.
- #3 SALTY SISS (12-1): Major Player. Shouldn't be disadvantaged by the flow of the race.
Selections: 7 – 4 – 10 – 3
The Plays
Win: #7 at 5-1
Trifecta: 7 / 4,10 / 4,10,3
Del Mar Picks – Race 9
Post Time: 6:00 PM PT; Allowance Optional Claiming $81k; 1 M Turf; Field of 14 runners.
- #9 SYNTAX (4-1): Prime Win Player. Fits well with this group. Barn has been solid.
- #12 ORANGE THUNDER (8-1): Contender. Hernandez and Lewis team up on this one. Speed figures match this group well.
- #8 NEWPORT DREAMZ (20-1): Contender. Should sit a good trip.
- #3 WE THE HOBBY (8-1): Contender. Race conditions fit this one well. Trainer's horses have been running.
Selections: 9 – 12 – 8 – 3
The Plays
Win: #9 at 3-1
Exacta: 9 / 12,8,3
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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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