Pick Pony Track Condition Report — Del Mar Racetrack, August 13, 2026

Weather Forecast

Del Mar should be under typical late-summer coastal conditions: warm and dry, with temperatures in the upper 70s to low 80s Fahrenheit, light west-to-onshore winds, and a low chance of precipitation.

Track Surface & Bias

Current race-day conditions list Dirt: Fast and Turf: Firm, which points to a clean, fair Del Mar profile with little weather-driven change in footing. On the main track, the expected edge is usually with tactical speed, especially horses drawn inside to middle posts that can establish position without losing ground; pure closers are less reliable unless the pace becomes unusually strong.

On turf, Del Mar commonly rewards ground-saving stalkers and well-timed closers more than wide, sustained rallies, so trips matter as much as raw ability. With both surfaces playing fast and firm, post position and early placement should be especially important, with efficient, stalking trips generally the most attractive scenario.

Handicapper’s Edge

Today's setup favors runners that can secure position early and avoid traffic or wide losses, particularly on the dirt. On turf, upgrade horses with tactical speed and the ability to save ground into the turn, since the firm course usually makes long, outside rallies harder to finish effectively.