Betting the Del Mar Turf Pick 3 on Aug. 15, 2026

Del Mar will offer a pair of turf stakes for fillies and mares on Saturday’s 10-race program, and both races are part of the $3 Turf Pick 3.

I like a runner in the first leg, the restricted Solana Beach, and will take a swing at the sequence. Here’s how I will play the Turf Pick 3 ticket, with analysis below.

$3 Turf Pick 3 (races 6-8-10): 4 with 3,5,6 with 3,6,8,9 ($36)

Leg 1 – Solana Beach S. (race 6)

#4 Liberation (6-1) showed early ability over the main track, winning three starts as a juvenile, including a one-mile stakes last December, but her comeback on dirt last month proved underwhelming. The surface switch makes sense given her breeding, and she recorded a recent sharp half-mile work over the sod in preparation. 

By good turf sire Omaha Beach, Liberation counts as a sibling to multiple Grade 3 turf winner Rashima, runner-up in this year's Gamely (G1), and is closely related to another turf stakes winner. I expect her to move up on turf, and a good trip is projected for the early/presser.

Leg 2 – CTT & TOC S. (race 8)

#6 Resolve (5-1) is my top pick; she prefers longer distances, and her last start at a mile dirties up her form. I like the addition of Joel Rosario, and Resolve has shown an affinity for Del Mar.

#3 Innovative (6-1) didn’t fire when returning from a lengthy layoff two back, but she turned things around last time, recording a nose second in the 10-furlong stakes at Santa Anita, and may continue to show more for Phil D’Amato. I will also add #5 Vronti (5-2), who enters off a good second in a Saratoga allowance and would be no surprise for Graham Motion. 

Leg 3 – Allowance/optional claimer (race 10)

#3 Steak Fries (7-2) exits an encouraging effort in her first try at the distance and looks like a progressive type for Craig Lewis. She does face a class check against open rivals in this spot, and I will spread with three others. #6 Known Idea (8-1) wheels back off a fine win three back and his numbers fit. #8 Beyond Stoked (8-1) is in with a chance for Brian Lynch after squaring off against allowance rivals at Churchill Downs, and #9 Lyle The Crocodile (4-1) will look to make a serious impact from off the pace.