🌊 DEL MAR OPENS JULY 17 — Expert picks for every card, July 17 through Labor Day.
37 Stakes · 6 Grade 1 Races · 6 Breeders’ Cup Qualifiers · July 17 – September 7
This is our Del Mar picks 2026 hub.
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Where the surf meets the turf — and the sharp money separates from the squares. Del Mar Race Course opens July 17 and runs through Labor Day, September 7 — 37 stakes, six Grade 1 races, and six Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” qualifiers that make every big race day a pivot point for the fall campaign.
For official entries and results, visit Del Mar Thoroughbred Club.
At FBG Racing, we cover Del Mar every year with full card analysis and daily best bets. This is our 2026 picks hub — bookmark it. We update it throughout the entire meet.
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Why Del Mar Is One of the Most Unique Betting Meets in the Country
Del Mar is unlike any other track in North America. The seaside location, a famously quirky turf course, high-profile two-year-old championships, and a stakes schedule loaded with Breeders’ Cup implications make it appointment viewing for serious handicappers.
⚡ The FBG Del Mar Edge
The turf course is a puzzle. Del Mar’s turf is among the most heavily used in the country during the summer meet. Rail positions, ground conditions, and pace setups on the lawn shift dramatically week to week. We track it and publish bias updates throughout the meet.
Post position varies by distance. Sprints at Del Mar have distinct post biases the casual public ignores. We factor the draw into every analysis.
The Breeders’ Cup trail runs through here. Six Del Mar stakes are “Win and You’re In” qualifiers. Trainers are running horses with a November target in mind — that changes how you evaluate the field and where the motivated connections are.
Two-year-olds close the meet. The Debutante and Futurity on the final weekend are among the most important juvenile races of the year. Getting on the right horse early pays dividends through the BC Juvenile and beyond.
The Big Races: FBG’s 2026 Del Mar Stakes Calendar
🏇 Bing Crosby Stakes — July 25, 2026
Grade 1 · $400,000The meet’s first Grade 1. A sprint specialist’s race that kicks off the major stakes season at Del Mar and feeds directly into the Breeders’ Cup Sprint picture. Finding the right pace setup in a six-furlong sprint here is where the edge lives. Our Del Mar picks 2026 for the Bing Crosby go live July 18.
🏆 Clement L. Hirsch Stakes — August 1, 2026
Grade 1 · $400,000The premier distaff race of the Del Mar meet with a direct Breeders’ Cup Distaff berth on the line. Connections running horses here are pointed at November — motivation is high and form is sharp. That creates both opportunity and a minefield for the public.
👑 Pacific Classic Day — August 22, 2026
4 Stakes · Grade 1 HeadlinerThe Pacific Classic is run by the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club — the West’s premier racing venue.
The biggest day on the Del Mar calendar. The $1 million Pacific Classic is the West’s richest race and the most direct path to the Breeders’ Cup Classic. Four stakes on the card — full FBG analysis for every race. Get our Del Mar picks 2026 for Pacific Classic Day on August 22.
⭐ Juvenile Championships — September 5–6, 2026
2 Grade 1s · Closing WeekendThe closing weekend’s Grade 1 double features the most important juvenile races on the West Coast. Debutante and Futurity winners are legit Breeders’ Cup Juvenile threats — and the Futurity regularly unearths a top Kentucky Derby prospect. Get on the right horse here first.
FBG Racing’s Del Mar 2026 Daily Picks
We publish best bets for every Del Mar card throughout the meet. Links added below each race day. Our Del Mar picks 2026 go live each race day
Subscribe to FBG Racing → to get picks delivered before post time.
📅 Daily Picks — Links Added Each Race Day
Check back July 17 for Opening Day picks. Links added throughout the meet.
July 17 (Opening Day) · July 18–19 · July 23–26 (Bing Crosby) · July 30–Aug 2 (Clement L. Hirsch) · Aug 6–9 · Aug 13–16 · Aug 20–23 (Pacific Classic Day) · Aug 27–30 · Sept 3–7 (Debutante · Futurity · Closing Day)
🗺️ Also Running: Saratoga 2026 (July 3 – September 7)
Del Mar overlaps almost entirely with the Saratoga summer meet on the East Coast — both close September 7. FBG Racing covers both meets in full. The best two months of racing in the calendar year, and we have you covered from both coasts.
→ See our Saratoga 2026 Picks Hub for full East Coast coverage
Bet Del Mar With a Real Edge This Summer
Subscribers get full card breakdowns, pace maps, morning line vs. fair odds comparisons, and our specific bets — including exotics and Breeders’ Cup trail analysis.
🎯 Get the Del Mar Picks PackageFrequently Asked Questions: Del Mar 2026
- When does Del Mar 2026 start?
- The 2026 Del Mar summer meet opens Friday, July 17, 2026.
- When does Del Mar 2026 end?
- The meet closes Monday, September 7, 2026 — Labor Day.
- What is the biggest race at Del Mar 2026?
- The Pacific Classic (Grade 1, $1 million, August 22) — the West’s richest race and a Breeders’ Cup Classic “Win and You’re In” qualifier.
- How many Grade 1 races are at Del Mar 2026?
- Six: Bing Crosby (July 25), Clement L. Hirsch (August 1), Pacific Classic and Del Mar Oaks (both August 22), Del Mar Debutante (September 5), and Del Mar Futurity (September 6).
- Are any Del Mar 2026 races Breeders’ Cup qualifiers?
- Yes — six races are “Win and You’re In” qualifiers: Bing Crosby (Sprint), Clement L. Hirsch (Distaff), Green Flash Handicap (Turf Sprint), Pacific Classic (Classic), Del Mar Handicap (Turf), and Pat O’Brien (Dirt Mile).
- Does Saratoga run at the same time as Del Mar?
- Yes — the meets overlap almost entirely, both closing September 7. FBG Racing covers both. See our Saratoga 2026 picks hub for full East Coast coverage.
- Where can I get free Del Mar 2026 picks?
- Right here at FBG Racing. We publish free best bets for every Del Mar card. For full card breakdowns and premium analysis, see our Del Mar picks package. Our free Del Mar picks 2026 publish every card day.
Fat Bald Guy Racing covers Del Mar every year with full handicapping analysis. Bookmark this page for Del Mar picks 2026 throughout the entire meet for updated picks, track bias reports, and stakes coverage.