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Del Mar concludes the Breeders Cup weekend with a solid 9-race card featuring a mix of maiden specials, claiming races, and allowance contests. The day after Breeders Cup Saturday presents an excellent opportunity for value-seeking handicappers with competitive fields across multiple divisions.
Race Day Overview
Del Mar offers ideal racing conditions for early November, with Southern California’s coastal location ensuring perfect weather throughout the race day. The track is expected to maintain fast dirt and firm turf surfaces, with minimal wind impact from the predictable ocean breeze.
Weather and Track Conditions
Sunday’s forecast predicts sunny skies with temperatures in the mid-60s to low 70s Fahrenheit. The chance of precipitation stays very low at about 7%, almost guaranteeing fast main track and firm turf conditions all day. These steady conditions favor horses with tactical speed and the ability to perform well on firm surfaces, especially in turf races with the rail set at 30 feet.
Race-by-Race Analysis
Race 1 – Maiden Special Weight (12:30 PM)
Distance: 1 1/16 miles on turf
Purse: $60,000
Key Contenders:
Legal Heir (6) emerges as the top selection at 5/2 morning line odds with Kazushi Kimura aboard for trainer Richard Mandella. This Nyquist colt shows the breeding to handle the turf surface and distance.
Rostovsky (3) at 3/1 represents solid value with Antonio Fresu riding for Mark Glatt. The Liam’s Map colt has tactical speed that should work well on the firm turf.
Kokosan (4) brings the services of Mike Smith for John Sadler at 3/1 odds. The Unified colt offers another live option in this competitive maiden field.
Secondary Choices:
Final Edition (IRE) (5) at 7/2 offers European breeding that typically handles turf well.
Pace Analysis:
This appears to be a moderate pace setup with several horses capable of pressing early. The 1 1/16-mile distance should allow for tactical racing.
Wagering Strategy:
Legal Heir appears best, but the 5/2 odds offer minimal value. Consider Rostovsky at 3/1 for better return potential.
Selection:
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Race 2 – Claiming ($16,000) (1:00 PM)
Distance: 6 1/2 furlongs on dirt
Purse: $25,000
Key Contenders:
Doo Wop Don (4) at 5/2 with Diego Herrera for Librado Barocio represents the top choice in this claiming sprint. The 7-year-old Dialed In gelding shows consistent form at this level.
Devil Among Us (1) at 3/1 with Kazushi Kimura brings tactical speed for trainer Antonio Garcia.
Secondary Choices:
Zoffarelli (IRE) (2) at 7/2 with Armando Aguilar offers European breeding that may find this distance suitable.
Gypsy Tears (6) at 4/1 with Tyler Baze presents another live option in this competitive claiming field.
Pace Analysis:
This sprint should see honest early pace with several speed types. The 6 1/2-furlong distance favors horses with natural early foot.
Selection:
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Race 3 – Maiden Special Weight (1:31 PM)
Distance: 5 furlongs on turf
Purse: $60,000
Key Contenders:
Cactus Charlie (3) at 5/2 with Ricardo Gonzalez for Peter Miller appears best in this 2-year-old turf sprint. The Independence Hall colt shows promising breeding for the surface.
Track Tiger (1) at 3/1 with Antonio Fresu for Doug O’Neill offers tactical speed in this competitive field.
Secondary Choices:
Diaghilev (2) at 5/1 with Umberto Rispoli for Richard Mandella brings solid connections.
Charlie’s Curlin (8) at 6/1 with Geovanni Franco represents another Peter Miller trainee with upside.
Pace Analysis:
The 5-furlong turf distance should produce honest early pace among these first-time turf runners.
Selection: 3-Cactus Charlie / 1-Track Tiger / 8-Charlie’s Curlin
Race 4 – Maiden Claiming ($20,000) (2:01 PM)
Distance: 1 mile on dirt
Purse: $20,000
Key Contenders:
Ballyhooligan (6) at 6/5 with Umberto Rispoli for George Papaprodromou stands out as the clear favorite. The McKinzie colt has shown ability in previous starts.
Uncle Evco (4) at 5/2 with Hector Berrios for Hector Palma offers value in this maiden claiming field.
Brother Brother (3) at 3/1 with Juan Hernandez brings the Doug O’Neill barn to this competitive race.
Note: Honor the Cat was scratched from this race.
Selection: 6-Ballyhooligan / 4-Uncle Evco / 3-Brother Brother
Race 5 – Allowance Optional Claiming (2:31 PM)
Distance: 5 furlongs on turf
Purse: $61,000
Key Contenders:
Bacio (5) at 8/5 with Juan Hernandez for Wesley Ward emerges as the slight favorite in this 2-year-old turf sprint. The Maclean’s Music colt has shown promise for these connections.
Rogue Legend (GB) (2) at 9/5 with Umberto Rispoli for Wesley Ward offers European breeding well-suited to turf.
Secondary Choices:
Opus Uno (4) at 5/1 with Hector Berrios for Peter Miller represents solid value.
Pace Analysis:
This should develop into an honest pace with quality 2-year-olds stepping up in class.
Selection: 5-Bacio / 2-Rogue Legend (GB) / 4-Opus Uno
Race 6 – Claiming ($16,000) Fillies (3:01 PM)
Distance: 5 1/2 furlongs on dirt
Purse: $25,000
Key Contenders:
Thirsty Trickster (7) at 2/1 with William Antongeorgi III for Robert Hess Jr. appears best in this filly claiming sprint.
Saint Mihiel (1) at 7/2 with Tyler Baze offers value for trainer Edward Freeman.
Secondary Choices:
Sensational Z Z (2) at 4/1 with Kazushi Kimura presents another live option.
Selection: 7-Thirsty Trickster / 1-Saint Mihiel / 2-Sensational Z Z
Race 7 – Allowance Optional Claiming (3:31 PM)
Distance: 1 3/8 miles on turf
Purse: $63,000
This competitive allowance optional claiming event at the marathon 1 3/8-mile distance on turf presents an evenly matched field of older horses where tactical positioning and stamina will prove decisive.
Race Conditions and Field Analysis
The race is restricted to three-year-olds and upward that have never won $21,000 twice other than maiden, claiming, or starter races, or have never won three races, with a $100,000 claiming option. The distance demands proven route ability on turf, making recent form and class evaluation crucial.
Key Contenders
Balnikhov (IRE) (#5) – 2/1 ML Favorite
Jockey: Umberto Rispoli
Trainer: Philip D’Amato
Weight: 121 lbs
This Irish-bred 6-year-old gelding emerges as the deserving favorite based on his consistent form and trainer connections. Philip D’Amato has enjoyed tremendous success at Del Mar in 2025, capturing multiple stakes races and establishing himself as a dominant force at the seaside track. D’Amato’s operation is “loaded” with talent and he specifically gears up for the second half of the year at Del Mar. Balnikhov’s European breeding provides the stamina foundation needed for this marathon distance, and Rispoli’s tactical skills make this combination formidable.
Spycatcher (#1) – 3/1 Second Choice
Jockey: Abel Lezcano
Trainer: Mark Glatt
Weight: 123 lbs (2 lb penalty)
The 6-year-old gelding brings proven Del Mar form to this contest, having “won at Del Mar and placed in all other attempts this campaign” according to expert analysis. Mark Glatt continues his rise as a leading trainer, sharing top billing at the current meet with six wins. Glatt won his first Del Mar training title last fall and represents a consistently improving operation. Spycatcher’s proven ability at the track and distance gives him excellent winning credentials, though he carries 2 additional pounds due to his recent success.
Twirling Point (#2) – 7/2 Third Choice
Jockey: Hector Berrios
Trainer: Jonathan Thomas
Weight: 121 lbs
This 4-year-old gelding represents solid value at 7/2 morning line odds with proven turf form. Berrios has been among the leading jockeys at the current Del Mar meet, scoring multiple stakes victories early in the session. The combination offers tactical speed that could prove effective in the marathon distance.
Secondary Contenders
Aligato (#6) – 4/1
Jockey: Juan Hernandez
Trainer: Mark Glatt
Weight: 121 lbs
The 8-year-old veteran provides Mark Glatt with a second legitimate chance in this competitive field. Juan Hernandez leads all riders at the current Del Mar meet with 12 wins from 43 starts and tops the earnings chart with $2,808,212. This experienced gelding could provide exacta value underneath the top choices.
Reiquist (#3) – 5/1
Jockey: Kazushi Kimura
Trainer: Tim Yakteen
Weight: 121 lbs
The 5-year-old gelding brings Tim Yakteen’s expertise to this route turf event. Kimura continues making his mark on the Southern California circuit and provides solid riding. At 5/1 odds, this combination offers potential value for handicappers seeking an overlay.
Flashiest (#4) – 15/1
Jockey: Armando Ayuso
Trainer: Leonard Powell
Weight: 121 lbs
The 7-year-old gelding represents the longest shot in the field at 15/1 morning line odds. While his recent form suggests he faces a difficult task against this quality field, his veteran experience at route distances could produce surprise value in exotic wagers.
Pace Analysis
The 1 3/8-mile distance on Del Mar’s turf course should produce measured early fractions with tactical racing throughout. The extended trip allows horses to establish position early without excessive pressure, favoring those with proven stamina and tactical speed. The firm turf conditions expected for Sunday should play to horses with tactical versatility rather than pure speed.
Trainer and Jockey Angles
Philip D’Amato’s success at Del Mar in 2025 cannot be ignored, as his stable has been “geared up for the second half of the year” with Del Mar being a primary target. His two Del Mar training titles (2022, 2023) demonstrate his mastery of the track.
Mark Glatt’s dual entry strategy with Spycatcher and Aligato provides multiple winning opportunities and excellent exacta potential. Glatt shares the current training lead with six wins and continues his upward trajectory.
The jockey colony features several proven riders, with Hernandez leading in both wins and earnings, while Rispoli and Berrios have scored multiple stakes victories.
Wagering Strategy
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Race 8 – Maiden Optional Claiming (4:01 PM)
Distance: 6 furlongs on dirt
Purse: $35,000
Key Contenders:
Debby’s Gal (5) at 5/2 with Juan Hernandez for Richard Baltas appears best in this 2-year-old filly maiden race.
Mimi’s Memory (2) at 3/1 with Edwin Maldonado for George Papaprodromou offers solid value.
Secondary Choices:
Wolf Hill (3) at 4/1 with Diego Herrera represents another live option.
Selection: 5-Debby’s Gal / 2-Mimi’s Memory / 3-Wolf Hill
Race 9 – Allowance Optional Claiming (4:31 PM)
Distance: 5 furlongs on turf
Purse: $61,000
Key Contenders:
Flyover (6) at 7/2 with Juan Hernandez for John Sadler emerges as a solid choice in this turf sprint.
Tigerhon (FR) (8) at 9/2 with Umberto Rispoli for Peter Miller offers European breeding suited to the surface.
Secondary Choices:
Proof He Rides (3) at 5/1 with William Antongeorgi III presents value.
Shady Tiger (1) at 5/1 with Hector Berrios represents another live option.
Selection: 6-Flyover / 8-Tigerhon (FR) / 3-Proof He Rides
Jockey Notes and Insights
Umberto Rispoli continues his successful Del Mar meet with multiple mounts throughout the card, including key chances in Races 1, 4, 5, and 7. Juan Hernandez brings strong form to several competitive spots, particularly in Races 5, 7, 8, and 9. Kazushi Kimura represents solid value with mounts in multiple races including the opening event.
Trainer Notes and Insights
Wesley Ward saddles two horses in Race 5, giving him excellent chances in the 2-year-old turf allowance. Peter Miller has multiple runners throughout the card, including strong chances in Races 3 and 9. Mark Glatt trains two contenders in Race 7, providing multiple win opportunities in the route turf allowance. Richard Baltas brings Debby’s Gal to Race 8 with strong winning potential.
Best Wagering Strategies
Focus on horizontal wagers connecting races with clear standouts. Consider Daily Doubles linking Race 4 (Ballyhooligan) with Race 5 (Bacio/Rogue Legend) for solid value. The Pick 3 covering Races 7-8-9 offers opportunity with Balnikhov leading into the maiden and allowance finales.
Single ticket players should target overlays in competitive maiden races where favorites may be vulnerable. Race 1 presents value with Rostovsky at 3/1 against the chalk. Race 9 offers multiple live longshots in a wide-open turf sprint finale.
The Late Pick 5 beginning in Race 5 provides the day’s best multi-race opportunity with several competitive races offering value plays throughout the sequence.
