Opening Day and Pacific Classic Day are the two biggest afternoons of the year at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, but closing weekend has always had a special place in my heart as well. Between having all the data from the previous weeks and the Grade 1 two-year-old races, it has been an enjoyable and profitable time on the calendar in the past. Hopefully, I have another good one in me in 2025.

I will be diving into the final two late Pick 5’s of the summer at Del Mar on this blog over the next few days starting with the Saturday afternoon sequence. A very playable series of races kicks off with a two-turn turf stake for 2YO fillies, includes the John C. Mabee (G2), and concludes with a full field allowance event over the sod. Let’s get to it!

Grade Descriptions: Grade A=Highest degree of confidence; Grade B=Solid Play. Grade C=Least preferred or pass; Grade X=probable winner but likely at odds too short to play.


Race 7: Del Mar Juvenile Fillies Turf
Grade: B-
Main Ticket: 8 Queen Bay; 9 Improbable U
Backups: 11 Yours Sincerely; 2 Soaring Angel

Forecast: #8 Queen Bay commanded $350k at the OBS March 2025 sale, got hammered down to 2-5-favoritism on debut in late May at Santa Anita going five furlongs, and delivered. The Charlatan filly won nicely in that first start and is out of a mare that thrived going two-turns on the grass. She looms large with the major question being the time off in published drills from late July into August and the lack of racing since the stylish victory. For that reason, I will also use #9 Improbable U on all tickets. The daughter of Improbable was run down by the impressive last-to-first winner #11 Yours Sincerely on August 16, but has plenty of room to move forward. Trainer Jonathan Thomas is 0 for 14 with 2YO first-time starters in turf routes over the last 2 years, so I am expecting big improvement off of a solid first out effort just 3 weeks ago.



Race 8:
Grade: B-
Main Ticket: 1 Wayne the Brain; 8 Clouseau
Backups: 2 Lyell’s Song; 6 Firmus

Forecast: Trainer Mark Glatt holds a strong hand in this first-level allowance over the main track. #2 Lyell’s Song fits well in here, but looked like the winner in both of his starts this summer at Del Mar yet fell short due to a massive hang job. Perhaps the addition of blinkers will help the Cairo Prince gelding seal the deal, but I prefer his stablemate #1 Wayne the Brain. The son of Mitole got a good setup in his return race, but was caught four-wide into the turn when making a move good enough to finish second beaten less than a length. If he breaks well in his second start off the 11-month layoff, he could prove tough to catch late from his inside draw. #8 Clouseau also intrigues. The 5YO gelding moves back to the main track for the first time since he was claimed by trainer George Papaprodromou this spring. He has 6 career wins over the dirt and attracts Umberto Rispoli.



Race 9: John C. Mabee (G2)
Grade: C+
Main Ticket: 4 Medoro
Backups: 6 Kentucky Gal; 7 Gimme a Nother

Forecast: The lone graded stake of the sequence is not a race I have an overly strong opinion in. #4 Medoro makes the most sense though after struggling to relax early, but pulling away late against restricted stakes company in the Osunitas during the first week of the meet. It is encouraging the Peter Eurton trainee is able to piece back-to-back races together. She should find herself in a favorable forward position in a race that lacks serious early speed. #6 Kentucky Gal is one of 4 in this year’s John C. Mabee for trainer Phil D’Amato. She might not be good enough, but the pace advantage makes her an intriguing option underneath at the very least. The move to Edwin Maldonado further enhances her chance of being sent aggressively in her second start of the form cycle.



Race 10:
Grade: B
Main Ticket: 5 Titanic Thompson
Backups: None

Forecast: I like #5 Titanic Thompson to break through for his first lifetime victory over the dirt in this state-bred first-level allowance at 6.5-furlongs. The Nick Alexander homebred had things his way, but was down on a dead rail when nailed at the wire on July 18. He returned on August 10 and did not make the lead and had traffic issues before they turned for home. The Grazen colt should make the lead easily under jockey Juan Hernandez and have plenty left late to seal the deal.



Race 11:
Grade: B-
Main Ticket: 10 Transcending
Backups: 1 Beets
Forecast: This one-mile excursion over the Jimmy Durante Turf Course for fillies and mares appears #10 Transcending’s to lose. The Helder Family Stables filly made her first start in the States and off a 13-month layoff on July 19 going 5-furlongs in what was almost certainly a prep for this spot. She finished off the board that day going far shorter than she prefers, but it was not a race flow that was remotely favorable to those coming from off the pace. The European import shook off the rust last out and should be primed for much better in the Saturday finale.