Del Mar Racetrack News and Preview – Saturday, July 26, 2025
Saturday’s card at Del Mar Racetrack is a marquee day featuring top-level stakes action, deep fields, and high anticipation within the racing community. Headlined by the prestigious Grade 1 Bing Crosby Stakes—a critical “Win and You’re In” qualifier for the Breeders’ Cup Sprint—the day also features the Grade 2 San Diego Handicap and the lightning-fast Daisycutter Handicap for filly and mare turf sprinters. With ideal summer weather forecasted, fans and bettors can expect a competitive, fast-paced afternoon by the Pacific.
Track News & Weather Conditions
A festive summer crowd is expected, with the weather set to cooperate—clear skies and temperatures in the comfortable high 70s to low 80s. The main track is listed as fast, and the turf course is rated firm, favoring horses with tactical early speed or stalking ability. Del Mar’s racing office has assembled large, competitive fields throughout the day, ensuring outstanding betting opportunities on each race.
Trainer & Jockey Notes
This year’s Del Mar meet continues to showcase top West Coast trainers including Phil D’Amato, Mark Glatt, Peter Miller, and Bob Baffert, all fielding strong contenders. Jockeys riding today’s card include meet leaders Juan Hernandez and Umberto Rispoli, both riding multiple favorites and live price plays. Juan Hernandez reunites with a key speed horse in the feature turf sprint, and Antonio Fresu picks up promising mounts for various barns across the card, looking to build on his recent momentum.
Key Race Previews and Analysis
Bing Crosby Day brings together a blend of high-profile stakes and deep allowance events. Here is a breakdown of several highlight races with expert picks and predictions:
Race 5: Allowance Optional Claiming (Turf Sprint)
Summary: A highly competitive turf dash featuring lightly raced fillies and mares.
- Young Love could have big upside. The filly goes second off the layoff and figures to use her tactical speed to great effect. Her conditioner is firing this meet, and she draws well for a pressing trip.
- Top Pick: Young Love
- Likely top threats: Classy Kitten, Lady Hamilton. Both have the right running style and should be charging late.
- Prediction: Look for Young Love to sit just off a contested pace and take over mid-stretch.
Race 7: Daisycutter Handicap (Turf Sprint, Fillies/Mares)
Summary: The Daisycutter brings together some of the fastest fillies and mares on the circuit, each relishing the trip down the lush Del Mar turf.
- Horses with outside draws and tactical speed often hold an edge here, with riders looking to avoid traffic into the turn.
- Key players: Pushiness (early foot, well-drawn), She’s Our Charm (formidable on her best day), and Dance Routine (draws a favorable stalking post).
- Top Pick: Pushiness, reunited with Juan Hernandez, figures to carve out the trip and may prove difficult to reel in late.
Race 8: San Diego Handicap (G2, Dirt Route)
Summary: Standing as the primary local prep for the Pacific Classic, the San Diego Handicap always attracts elite older dirt routers eager to stamp their ticket for the summer’s signature race.
- The pace scenario is wide open with several front-runners and a few proven closers.
- Hall of Fame makes a notable ship from the East and possesses the back-class to upset the likely favorite, Nysos, if that one stubs his toe.
- Veteran campaigners like Express Train and Tripoli, if entered, would seek to capitalize on a contested pace.
- Top Pick: Hall of Fame (upside on the ship, sneaky value)
- Contenders: Nysos (logical if he brings his best), Express Train (back class, proven Del Mar form)
Race 9: Allowance/High-Level Claiming (Turf Sprint)
Summary: A wide-open turf sprint with value to be found for sharp handicappers.
- Granny Budgie offers significant price appeal with an outside draw and reliable one-turn turf efforts.
- Pushiness (if running back in this spot) possesses dangerous early speed, and her prior wins with today’s rider inspire confidence.
- Top Pick: Granny Budgie (stalk and pounce)
- Secondary Picks: Pushiness, Chasing Stardom (late-running threat)
Race 10: Bing Crosby Stakes (G1, Dirt Sprint, Main Feature)
Summary: The Bing Crosby, a “Win and You’re In” qualifier for the Breeders’ Cup Sprint, is a hotly contested renewal with no returning champion and no divisional standout, creating a wide-open wagering event.
- The departure of The Chosen Vron and retirements of Straight No Chaser and Raging Torrent leave the sprint division ready for new faces to emerge. Several emerging speedsters and tough older runners face off.
- Top contenders: Several with early pace, but watch for a stalker to take advantage if the speed duel gets too hot.
- Top Pick: Hall of Fame (sharp form, proven class)
- Live Outsider: A deep-closing type, especially if a speed collapse occurs
- Betting Tip: Spread in vertical exotics; the potential for a big-priced winner or upset is high.
Race Day Notes and Additional Information
Post time for today’s 11-race card is 2:00 P.M. Pacific. Admission gates open at noon, with fans encouraged to arrive early and enjoy the festive on-track events. Given the deep, competitive fields, multi-race wagers like the Pick 4 and Pick 5 could yield significant returns for those able to solve the puzzle.
As always, monitor for late scratches and potential track bias as the card develops. Many barns are sending out well-meant horses second off layoffs or off sharp recent works, reflecting trainers’ intent to win at this important summer meet.
