The 2026 Pat O'Brien Stakes will be run Saturday, August 29 at Del Mar Racetrack in Del Mar, California. The Grade II race is contested at 7 furlongs on dirt for horses aged three and older with a $250,000 purse. The winner earns an automatic berth in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile at Keeneland.
| Date | Saturday, August 29, 2026 |
| Track | Del Mar Racetrack |
| Race | Race 9 |
| Distance | 7 furlongs |
| Surface | Dirt |
| Grade | Grade II |
| Purse | $250,000 |
| Age | 3-year-olds and up |
| Breeders' Cup | Win & You're In - Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile |
| Post Time | 6:00 PM PT |
| # | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stronghold (KY) | A Fresu | P D'Amato | 6/1 |
| 2 | Dr. Venkman (KY) | U Rispoli | M Glatt | 6/1 |
| 3 | Vodka Vodka (CA) | K J Desormeaux | A Ordonez | 6/1 |
| 4 | Gold Sweep (KY) | R Gonzalez | J Haran | 20/1 |
| 5 | Bartholby (KY) | T Baze | J F D'Angelo | 6/1 |
| 6 | Iron Man Cal (KY) | J Rosario | P D'Amato | 8/1 |
| 7 | Moonlight (KY) | V Espinoza | P Miller | 10/1 |
| 8 | Big City Lights (CA) | K Kimura | R E Mandella | 7/2 |
| 9 | March of Time (KY) | J J Hernandez | B Baffert | 5/1 |
| 10 | Jimmy's Dailys (KY) | E Jaramillo | J F D'Angelo | 20/1 |
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The Pat O'Brien Stakes is one of Del Mar's premier dirt sprints for older horses. The Grade II race is contested over 7 furlongs for a $250,000 purse and is part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series, with the winner earning an automatic berth in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile.
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The Pat O'Brien Stakes was first run in 1980 and returned in 1986 as a 7-furlong dirt sprint at Del Mar. The race is named in honor of actor and Del Mar Racetrack co-founder Pat O'Brien.
The race received Grade III status in 1994 and was upgraded to Grade II in 1999. It held Grade I status from 2009 through 2011 before returning to Grade II.
Lit de Justice holds the dirt record at the current 7-furlong distance, winning the 1995 edition in 1:20.06. Catalina Cruiser is one of the race's multiple winners, taking consecutive editions in 2018 and 2019.
Recent winners include C Z Rocket in 2020, Ginobili in 2021, Laurel River in 2022, Anarchist in 2023, Raging Torrent in 2024 and Dr. Venkman in 2025.
Dr. Venkman won the 2025 Pat O'Brien Stakes under jockey Umberto Rispoli for trainer Mark Glatt, completing the 7 furlongs in 1:21.53.
The 2026 Pat O'Brien Stakes is scheduled for Saturday, August 29 at Del Mar Racetrack in Del Mar, California. It will be run as Race 9, with post time set for 6:00 PM PT.
The Pat O'Brien Stakes is contested at 7 furlongs on dirt at Del Mar Racetrack.
The 2026 Pat O'Brien Stakes carries a $250,000 purse.
The Pat O'Brien Stakes is open to Thoroughbreds three years old and upward.
Yes. The Pat O'Brien Stakes is part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series. The nominated winner earns an automatic starting position in the 2026 Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile at Keeneland.
The 2026 Pat O'Brien Stakes field includes defending champion Dr. Venkman along with Stronghold, Iron Man Cal, Big City Lights and other established dirt sprinters. Check USRacing.com for current race-day odds and updates.
The latest 2026 Pat O'Brien Stakes odds are listed in the odds table above and will be updated as race-day prices change.
The Pat O'Brien Stakes is a Grade II Thoroughbred dirt race held annually at Del Mar Racetrack in Del Mar, California. It is contested at 7 furlongs for horses three years old and upward.
The Pat O'Brien Stakes 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 Pat O'Brien Stakes from the available racing markets. BUSR also offers a 10% horse betting rebate paid daily on selected wagers.
Dr. Venkman won the 2025 Pat O'Brien Stakes under jockey Umberto Rispoli for trainer Mark Glatt, completing the 7 furlongs in 1:21.53.
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