Del Mar Handicap

Breeders' Cup Challenge Series > Del Mar Handicap

Del Mar Handicap Race Facts

  • Location: Del Mar Racetrack, Del Mar, CA
  • Inaugural Race: 1937
  • Distance: 1 & 3/8ths of a mile (11 furlongs)
  • Track Type: Left-handed, Turf
  • Age Qualifications: Three Year Olds and up
  • 2023 Purse: $300,000
  • 2023 Race Date: Saturday, September 2nd

2023 Del Mar Handicap Race Results

POST
HORSE
JOCKEY / TRAINER
WIN / PLACE / SHOW
10
Gold Phoenix (IRE)
Juan J. Hernandez / Philip D'Amato
$7.00 / $4.00 / $3.20
7
Nineeleventurbo
Ramon A. Vazquez / Neil D. Drysdale
$11.80 / $7.00
11
Cash Equity (FR)
Kent J. Desormeaux / Philip D'Amato
$7.80
4
Missed the Cut
Jose Valdivia, Jr. / John W. Sadler
9
Planetario (BRZ)
Hector Isaac Berrios / Richard E. Mandella
5
Cathkin Peak (IRE)
Antonio Fresu / Mike E. Smith
6
Offlee Naughty
Mike E. Smith / Michael W. McCarthy
3
None Above the Law
Joe Bravo / Peter Miller
1
Win the Day
Tiago Josue Pereira / Doug F. O'Neill
2
Crosby Beach
Geovanni Franco / Michael W. McCarthy

Exotic Payoffs:

  • $1.00 Exacta (10-7) Paid: $46.60
  • $0.50 Trifecta (10-7-11) Paid: $204.90
  • $0.10 Superfecta (10-7-11-4) Paid: $347.41

Watch the 2023 Del Mar Handicap

Del Mar Handicap Race History

The Del Mar Handicap is a Grade II race rune each year at the Del Mar Racetrack in Del Mar, California. The race has been run at 1 1⁄8, 1 1⁄16, and 1 1⁄4 miles in the past, but is currently contested at 1 3⁄8 miles. The current speed record at its current distance was set when Spring House turned in a time of 2:11.14 in 2008, but race historians will recall the 1969 running when Figonero set a then-world record at 1 1⁄8 miles with a time of 1:46.20.

Seven horses are currently tied for the record for most wins with two each: Frankly (1948, 1950), Arrogate (1955, 1956), How Now (1957, 1960), Navarone (1992, 1994), Spring House (2008, 2009), Big John B (2014, 2015) and Gold Phoenix (2022, 2023). After notching is eighth win in 1987, Bill Shoemaker has held the title for most wins by a jockey. With his eighth win in 2023, Phillip D'Amato surpassed Charles Whittingham to become the winningest trainer in race history.

As a part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series, the winner of the race is granted an automatic bid to race in the Breeders' Cup Turf in November.

Del Mar Handicap Past Winners

Year
Winner
Jockey / Trainer
Distance / Time
2023
Gold Phoenix (IRE)
Juan J. Hernandez / Philip D'Amato
1 3⁄8 M / 2:15.34
2022
Gold Phoenix (IRE)
Flavien Prat / Philip D'Amato
1 3⁄8 M / 2:14.51
2021
Astronaut
Victor Espinoza / John A. Shirreffs
1 3⁄8 M / 2:15.97
2020
Red King
Umberto Rispoli / Philip D'Amato
1 3⁄8 M / 2:15.75
2019
Acclimate
Florent Geroux / Philip D'Amato
1 3⁄8 M / 2:12.71
2018
Fashion Business
Flavien Prat / Philip D'Amato
1 3⁄8 M / 2:13.84
2017
Hunt
Flavien Prat / Philip D'Amato
1 3⁄8 M / 2:14.93
2016
Ashleyluvssugar
Gary Stevens / Peter Eurton
1 3⁄8 M / 2:16.11
2015
Big John B
Rafael Bejarano / Philip D'Amato
1 3⁄8 M / 2:16.37
2014
Big John B
Mike E. Smith / Philip D'Amato
1 3⁄8 M / 2:12.81