Best Horse Racing Bets Today | Del Mar, August 31

The signature race of the year at Del Mar is upon us, and with the Southern California track hosting the Breeders’ Cup this year, the $1 million Pacific Classic holds even more importance. Joining a recent trend, the Bob Baffert-trained Adare Manor will test the boys for the first time as the likely favorite in the 1 1/4-mile, Grade 1 test. If she is to win, she will need to defeat eight males on Saturday.

The Pacific Classic is the big one, but four other graded stakes races will make this a top-notch afternoon of racing. The Grade 2 Del Mar Handicap at 1 3/8-miles and the Grade 2 Del Mar Mile have attracted competitive fields and both turf races will have Breeders’ Cup implications. I will also handicap the Grade 3 Torrey Pines for 3-year-old fillies to begin my selections. Without further ado, let's get to my picks and plays on this excellent card racing at Del Mar.

Race #4 Torrey Pines Stakes (Grade 3) $150,000 1-Mile Dirt - 6:00 pm EST

Twice a Grade 2 winner already, Nothing Like You will look to return to her winning ways as the one to beat among a field of eight sophomore fillies in Saturday’s Grade 3 Torrey Pines Stakes at Del Mar.

Trained by Bob Baffert, the daughter of Malibu Moon won the Starlet Stakes at 2, and more recently accounted for the Santa Anita Oaks in April. In the latter, she was able to come from fourth to finish for a strong win. That ability to pass horses should suit her well in a field loaded with speed. Most recently a well-beaten second in the Grade 2 Summertime Oaks, she should be in a good position to win her fourth career stakes race.

Chief among her competition is her stablemate and race favorite Hope Road. The Quality Road filly showed some ability last summer at Del Mar and has come back running in 2024. Two easy wins while sprinting make her the up and comer in the field and a real threat to Nothing Like You. The expected fast early pace could make things tougher on this talented filly. 

Of the rest, Desert Rhapsody could be the biggest threat. Improving with every start for trainer Doug O’Neill, the daughter of Cairo Prince has really improved since stretching out to 8 1/2- furlongs and one mile in her last two starts. Because of the strong early pace, Nothing Like You is my top pick.

My Play

• $20 Win & Place - Nothing Like You = $40

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Race #5 Del Mar Handicap (Grade 2) $300,000 1 3/8-Miles Turf - 6:30 pm EST

Gold Phoenix, the defending race champion, is back to defend his title in what looks to be a wide-open edition of the Grade 2 Del Mar Handicap. The 11-furlong test on the turf has attracted eight older males looking to establish themselves as contenders for this fall’s Breeders’ Cup Turf.

Trained by Phil D’Amato, the Irish-bred son of Belardo collected both the Del Mar Handicap and the Grade 2 Eddie Read last summer at Del Mar. This year, the 6-year-old gelding has only won once in three starts. After scoring in the Grade 2 Charles Whittingham two starts back, he lacked running room in the Eddie Read. With more real estate in this one, he should make his presence felt on Saturday. 

Several others in the field are in with a realistic shot. Among them is another Irish-bred trained by Phil D’Amato. The late-running 5-year-old has been very solid in his last three races. First he was a flying third in the Grade 3 San Francisco, before going east to win the Grade 3 Dinner Party at Pimlico. Last out, he was a strong finishing third in the Eddie Read at Del Mar. He should be coming late in this one as well.

Another who could run a big race here is the South American import, El Encinal. The youngest in the field, he has not run yet this year but closed out last year with an impressive Group 1 victory going 12-furlongs on the turf in his native land. Making his U.S. debut on Saturday, he should fit with this group. Having said that, it’s hard to look past the defending champion. Gold Phoenix is my top pick.

My Play

• $10 Exacta Box - Gold Phoenix, Balnikhov, and El Encinal = $60

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Race #10 Pacific Classic (Grade 1) $1,000,000 1 1/4-Miles Dirt - 9:00 pm EST

After strong races by Thorpedo Anna and Caitlinhergrtness in big races against males last weekend, Adare Manor will look to get in on the action when she takes on eight older males in the $1 million Pacific Classic on Saturday at Del Mar. 

The classy 5-year-old daughter of Uncle Mo has never been better as she takes on the boys for the first time. She will likely be a big favorite here on the strength of an impressive three-race winning streak at Oaklawn Park, Santa Anita, and Del Mar. Last out the Bob Baffert-trainee rolled home an easy winner of the Grade 1 Clement Hirsch, her second victory in the Del Mar race.

Dr. Venkman is a strong second choice on the morning line after stretching out to 8 1/2-furlongs last time to win the Grade 2 San Diego for trainer Mark Glatt. In winning the local prep, the talented son of Ghostzapper merits serious respect, but will now need to prove that he can carry his speed the full 10 furlongs of the Pacific Classic.

Another horse which I believe to be a must-play on Saturday is the Eastern-based Il Miracolo. Trained by Antonio Sano, he has been racking up a lot of good performances on the Eastern half of the United States, and comes in off a sneaky good second-place finish in the Grade 2 Iselin Stakes at Monmouth Park. He also should have little trouble with the distance here. Given the value, he will be my top pick to pull off the upset.

My Play 

• $20 Win & Place - Il Miracolo = $40

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Race #11 Del Mar Mile (Grade 2) $300,000 1-Mile Turf - 9:30 pm EST

A Grade 1 winner earlier this season for trainer Bob Baffert, Du Jour will look to defend his title when he takes on nine older turf males going one mile in Saturday’s Grade 2 Del Mar Mile.

A 6-year-old son of Temple City, the consistent performer rarely has thrown in a bad race in 17-lifetime turf attempts. Most recently, however, he finished sixth, beaten four lengths in the Grade 2 Eddie Read. Still, the earner of over $1.1 million is the class of the race and has proven tough at the one mile trip. His Grade 1 win this year came in the Kilroe Mile at Santa Anita.

Chief among his opposition in the $300,000 affair will be the Mark Glatt-trained First Peace. A 4-year-old gray son of Funtastic, he comes into this race off a sharp win over the course and distance last time in the Wickerr Stakes. Another very consistent runner, he has more early speed than the morning line favorite.

A Grade 1 winner last year, Exaulted will look to find his best form again from the outside post in this one. His two races so far this year for trainer Peter Eurton leave plenty to be desired, but his back class is undeniable and he offers the value after the top two. Du Jour is the one to beat, however, and is my top pick.    

My Plays

• $10 Exacta Part Wheel - Du Jour over First Peace and Exaulted = $20

• $10 Exacta Part Wheel - First Peace and Exaulted over Du Jour = $20

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