The 2026 Del Mar Handicap will be run Saturday, August 29 at Del Mar Racetrack in Del Mar, California. The Grade II race is contested at 1⅜ miles on turf for horses aged three and older with a $300,000 purse. The winner earns an automatic berth in the Breeders' Cup Turf at Keeneland.
| Date | Saturday, August 29, 2026 |
| Track | Del Mar Racetrack |
| Race | Race 10 |
| Distance | 1⅜ miles |
| Surface | Turf |
| Grade | Grade II |
| Purse | $300,000 |
| Age | 3-year-olds and up |
| Breeders' Cup | Win & You're In - Breeders' Cup Turf |
| Post Time | 6:30 PM PT |
| # | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Santa Barbarian (CA) | T J Pereira | R Hanson | 30/1 |
| 2 | Test Score (KY) | J J Hernandez | H G Motion | 3/1 |
| 3 | Nitti (IRE) | V Espinoza | A C Garcia | 12/1 |
| 4 | Gold Phoenix (IRE) | H I Berrios | P D'Amato | 5/2 |
| 5 | Atomic Age (KY) | K Kimura | P D'Amato | 20/1 |
| 6 | Maaz (FR) | R Gonzalez | M W McCarthy | 15/1 |
| 7 | Atitlan (KY) | U Rispoli | R E Mandella | 6/1 |
| 8 | Mondego (GB) | A Fresu | M W McCarthy | 6/1 |
| 9 | Old Pal (CA) | J Rosario | M Glatt | 12/1 |
| 10 | Flashiest (KY) | A Ayuso | L Powell | 12/1 |
| 11 | Packs a Wahlop (KY) | E Jaramillo | J W Sadler | 10/1 |
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The Del Mar Handicap is one of the premier long-distance turf races of the Del Mar summer meet. The Grade II event is contested over 1⅜ miles for a $300,000 purse and is part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series, with the winner earning an automatic berth in the Breeders' Cup Turf.
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The Del Mar Handicap was inaugurated in 1937 and has been contested at varying distances during its long history. The race is now run at 1⅜ miles on turf and holds Grade II status.
Gold Phoenix has dominated the recent history of the Del Mar Handicap, winning four consecutive editions from 2022 through 2025 for trainer Philip D'Amato.
Other notable winners include Acclimate, Red King and Astronaut. Acclimate produced one of the fastest modern performances when he won the 2019 edition in 2:12.71.
Gold Phoenix won the 2025 Del Mar Handicap under jockey Flavien Prat for trainer Philip D'Amato, completing the 1⅜ miles in 2:16.09.
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Gold Phoenix (IRE) | Flavien Prat | Philip D'Amato | 2:16.09 |
| 2024 | Gold Phoenix (IRE) | Kyle Frey | Philip D'Amato | 2:17.05 |
| 2023 | Gold Phoenix (IRE) | Juan J. Hernandez | Philip D'Amato | 2:15.34 |
| 2022 | Gold Phoenix (IRE) | Flavien Prat | Philip D'Amato | 2:14.51 |
| 2021 | Astronaut | Victor Espinoza | John Shirreffs | 2:15.97 |
| 2020 | Red King | Umberto Rispoli | Philip D'Amato | 2:15.75 |
The 2026 Del Mar Handicap is scheduled for Saturday, August 29 at Del Mar Racetrack in Del Mar, California. It will be run as Race 10, with post time set for 6:30 PM PT.
The Del Mar Handicap is contested at 1⅜ miles on turf at Del Mar Racetrack.
The 2026 Del Mar Handicap carries a $300,000 purse.
The Del Mar Handicap is open to Thoroughbreds three years old and upward.
Yes. The Del Mar Handicap is part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series. The nominated winner earns an automatic starting position in the 2026 Breeders' Cup Turf at Keeneland.
The 2026 Del Mar Handicap field includes four-time defending winner Gold Phoenix along with Test Score, Atitlan, Mondego and other turf contenders. Check USRacing.com for current race-day odds and updates.
The latest 2026 Del Mar Handicap odds are listed in the odds table above and will be updated as race-day prices change.
The Del Mar Handicap is a Grade II Thoroughbred turf race held annually at Del Mar Racetrack in Del Mar, California. The race is contested at 1⅜ miles for horses three years old and upward.
The Del Mar Handicap is held at Del Mar Racetrack in Del Mar, California.
You can bet online at BUSR. Create an account, fund your account, and select Del Mar and the Del Mar Handicap from the available racing markets. BUSR also offers a 10% horse betting rebate paid daily on selected wagers.
Gold Phoenix won the 2025 Del Mar Handicap under jockey Flavien Prat for trainer Philip D'Amato, completing the 1⅜ miles in 2:16.09.
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