How to bet the 2026 Pat O'Brien Stakes

A well-matched field of 10 will vie in the $250,000 Pat O’Brien (G2) at Del Mar on Saturday. The seven-eighths heat on the dirt attracted a cast with very little early speed signed on for a sprint at this level, which I feel will benefit Grade 1 winner #1 Stronghold the most. Trained by Phil D’Amato, the five-year-old son of Ghostzapper is generally pretty quick from the gate, and he seems to be perfectly placed on the rail to stay close from the break in the heat. 

O’Brien Wagers

• 50-cent superfecta 1 with 2,8,10 with 2,8,10 with all ($21)
• 50-cent superfecta 1 with 2,8,10 with all with 2,8,10 ($21)

Stronghold is a very good middle-distance horse who does his best work when he is within range throughout a race, and I think that things will be ideal for him on Sunday. The Kentucky-bred has been in the exacta in all four career runs while running seven panels, and he was simply outsprinted early in the very deep Bing Crosby (G1) at six furlongs off the layoff in his latest venture. He will improve second time back and will find himself in the mix from the opening bell with regular rider Fresu in the irons. 

I’ll use a trio of contenders under my top pick for the vertical exotics, including Richard Mandella’s #8 Big City Lights. The excellent Cal-bred son of Mr. Big is two-for-two in 2026 while registering 101 Brisnet Speed ratings on each occasion, and he is another who should benefit from being in a race without a slew of pace that will allow him to stay in range throughout from a nice post slot near the outside. He does well over the Del Mar strip and might be the one to beat under Kimura. 

#10 Jimmy’s Dailys is not the most consistent horse in the field in advance of his local debut, but the Vekoma four-year-old has improved his Speed rating in each appearance this season, and the colt has run some big races in tough fields in the past, too. I don’t expect the D’Angelo trainee to win the race, but he could get a share at a big number with Jaramillo in the irons. 

I’m not in love with defending champ #2 Dr. Venkman in this particular spot, but the Glatt charge does own four wins on the surface and was also good enough to be third in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) on the oval in his 2025 finale. The Ghostzapper gelding has been very good at seven panels and could peak a third time off the shelf with Rispoli in the stirrups.