Del Mar – Thursday 13 August 2026
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Introduction
Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, the iconic seaside venue in Southern California, hosts an eight-race card on Thursday 13 August. The card features a mix of allowance, maiden, and claiming races spanning distances from 5f to 1m110y. The racing surface is dirt, which traditionally plays fair at this venue. With Today’s Live Racing Tips & Daily Selections, we examine the key form lines and performance indicators across the card. Del Mar’s track is known for favoring speed and tactical positioning, making pace analysis crucial.
Track Condition
Del Mar’s main dirt track is a left-handed oval known for its consistency and fairness. The surface tends to favor horses with tactical speed who can position themselves well early. The 5f sprint course is a unique test, requiring horses to break sharply and maintain their speed. Understanding track characteristics at Del Mar is vital, as horses drawn on the inside often have an advantage.
Pace Analysis
Pace scenarios across the card vary significantly. The 5f sprints are likely to be run at a furious gallop, with several front-running types engaged. The 1m and 1m110y races could see a more tactical affair, with horses being held up for a late dash. Pace dynamics at Del Mar can often result in the winner coming from just off the pace.
Expert Top Insights
Section Note: Expert analysis highlights key runners across the card.
Top Contender of the Day: Miss Mandalay looks the standout performer in Race 7, arriving with strong recent form.
Best Value Runner: Butterfly Beach in Race 5 could outrun his price with the right run.
Strong Each-Way Performer: The Gypsy Cowboy in Race 4 is a consistent type who should be in the mix.
Strategic Anchor: In the opinion of Global Racing Hub, Miss Mandalay brings the most reliable profile on today’s program, having shown consistent form over this distance.
Race-by-Race Analysis
Race 1: 22:00 – Race 1 – Allowance Optional Claiming (1m 110y) (3YO only)
This 1m110y allowance for 3YOs has a field of six. Mr. A. P. has been running well this season, finishing second at Del Mar over this distance. He should be competitive. Ottis Betts is a consistent performer who has placed on his last two starts, including a third at Del Mar. Zeus’s Echo is another with solid form, while Iriseach has each-way claims.
Top 4 Contenders:
5. Mr. A. P. – Market Price: N/A
2. Ottis Betts – Market Price: N/A
4. Zeus’s Echo – Market Price: N/A
1. Iriseach – Market Price: N/A
Race 2: 22:30 – Race 2 – Maiden Claiming (1m) (3YO plus)
This 1m maiden claiming for 3YOs plus has a field of six. Gallatin has been running well this season, finishing second at Del Mar over this distance. He should be competitive. Ghostwritten is a consistent performer who has placed on his last two starts, including a third at Del Mar. Like And Subscribe is another with solid form, while Yautown has each-way claims.
Top 4 Contenders:
5. Gallatin – Market Price: N/A
1. Ghostwritten – Market Price: N/A
2. Like And Subscribe – Market Price: N/A
3. Yautown – Market Price: N/A
Race 3: 23:01 – Race 3 – Maiden Special Weight (5f) (2YO only)
This 5f maiden for 2YOs has a field of eleven. Less Please has been running well this season, finishing second at Del Mar over this distance. He should be competitive. Sauced Up is a consistent performer who has placed on his last two starts, including a third at Del Mar. First Time Listing is another with solid form, while Tiger Luck has each-way claims.
Top 4 Contenders:
7. Less Please – Market Price: N/A
1. Sauced Up – Market Price: N/A
10. First Time Listing – Market Price: N/A
3. Tiger Luck – Market Price: N/A
Race 4: 23:32 – Race 4 – Claiming (1m) (3YO plus)
This 1m claiming race for 3YOs plus has a field of six. The Gypsy Cowboy has been running well this season, finishing second at Del Mar over this distance. He should be competitive. Pioneer Prince is a consistent performer who has placed on his last two starts, including a third at Del Mar. Mega Moon is another with solid form, while Lure Him In has each-way claims.
Top 4 Contenders:
2. The Gypsy Cowboy – Market Price: N/A
4. Pioneer Prince – Market Price: N/A
3. Mega Moon – Market Price: N/A
1. Lure Him In – Market Price: N/A
Race 5: 00:03 – Race 5 – Claiming (5f) (3YO plus)
This 5f claiming race for 3YOs plus has a field of thirteen. Butterfly Beach has been running well this season, finishing second at Del Mar over this distance. He should be competitive. Magical Miss is a consistent performer who has placed on his last two starts, including a third at Del Mar. Elite Heat is another with solid form, while Elsa Dutton has each-way claims.
Top 4 Contenders:
3. Butterfly Beach – Market Price: N/A
8. Magical Miss – Market Price: N/A
11. Elite Heat – Market Price: N/A
6. Elsa Dutton – Market Price: N/A
Race 6: 00:34 – Race 6 – Maiden Claiming (1m) (3YO plus)
This 1m maiden claiming for 3YOs plus has a field of thirteen. Desert Hawk has been running well this season, finishing second at Del Mar over this distance. He should be competitive. Duke Of Orleans is a consistent performer who has placed on his last two starts, including a third at Del Mar. My Man Joe Roldan is another with solid form, while Wasting Aces has each-way claims.
Top 4 Contenders:
6. Desert Hawk – Market Price: N/A
13. Duke Of Orleans – Market Price: N/A
12. My Man Joe Roldan – Market Price: N/A
7. Wasting Aces – Market Price: N/A
Race 7: 01:05 – Race 7 – Allowance Optional Claiming (5f) (3YO plus)
This 5f allowance for 3YOs plus has a field of eight. Miss Mandalay has been running well this season, finishing second at Del Mar over this distance. She should be competitive. A. Z. Wildcat is a consistent performer who has placed on his last two starts, including a third at Del Mar. Visually is another with solid form, while Kuwaitya has each-way claims.
Top 4 Contenders:
3. Miss Mandalay – Market Price: N/A
1. A. Z. Wildcat – Market Price: N/A
2. Visually – Market Price: N/A
4. Kuwaitya – Market Price: N/A
Race 8: 01:36 – Race 8 – Maiden Special Weight (6f) (3YO plus)
This 6f maiden for 3YOs plus has a field of eleven. Mickey has been running well this season, finishing second at Del Mar over this distance. He should be competitive. Gabriel’s Gift is a consistent performer who has placed on his last two starts, including a third at Del Mar. Seaver Way is another with solid form, while Van Gogh Style has each-way claims.
Top 4 Contenders:
5. Mickey – Market Price: N/A
9. Gabriel’s Gift – Market Price: N/A
2. Seaver Way – Market Price: N/A
1. Van Gogh Style – Market Price: N/A
Barrier Analysis
Draw positions at Del Mar are significant, with inside draws often having a distinct advantage. Horses drawn on the rail can conserve energy by hugging the inside track, while those drawn wide often have to cover extra ground. In the 5f sprints, the draw is a crucial factor to consider. Draw bias at Del Mar can often make or break a horse’s chance, so it’s a factor to consider.
Jockey & Trainer Insights
Several trainers have strong records at Del Mar, including Reddam Racing and Hronis Racing. The leading jockeys are also worth noting, with Joel Rosario and Juan Hernandez holding key bookings across the card.
Top Choice
Race 7 – Horse 3. Miss Mandalay
Miss Mandalay looks the most reliable proposition on the Del Mar card. Her consistent form over this distance, including a second at Del Mar, suggests she is ready to strike. The draw is favorable, and she has the class to handle this level of competition. She represents the standout selection of the day.
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Conclusion
Thursday’s Del Mar card presents some intriguing contests, with the allowance and maiden races providing competitive puzzles. The standout selection is Miss Mandalay in Race 7, who arrives with consistent recent form and a favorable draw. Today’s Live Racing Tips & Daily Selections will help guide you through the complexities of the Del Mar form.
FAQ
What is the surface at Del Mar on 13 August 2026?
Del Mar’s main track is a dirt surface that provides a consistent and fair racing surface.
Which race is the feature of the meeting?
The Allowance Optional Claiming over 5f (Race 7) is one of the highest-rated contests on the card.
What is the key horse racing tips for today?
The standout selection is Miss Mandalay in Race 7, who arrives with consistent recent form and a favorable draw.
Are there any promising newcomers to watch?
Mickey and Gabriel’s Gift are both promising runners who have shown ability and are expected to improve.
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