Del Mar Horse Racing Picks for Sunday, August 16, 2026

Below is a table for each race of the day. The table is ordered by our algorythmically calculated expected order of finish. Our program takes into account past performances, workout times, speed ratings, recency, and breeder/jockey data amoung other data points.

Using the “Expected” column, the lower number is better. When there is a clear lowest value, we like that horse best to win. In situations where many horses share low numbers, we like those horses equally well. If no horse is under 3, the results are less clear to us and bettors should examine the race more closely.

Using the “Value” column, we present the minimum payout we would recommend betting the particular horse. Look for higher-paying odds than those listed if you like that horse.

Scratches are notated and will be updated as available.

RACE NUMBER 1 (Maiden Special Weight) – Maiden Special Weight

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
5 5 Going Nowhere 0.00 1 2-1
1 1 Royal Rumor 0.00 1 2-1
2 2 Doing Time 0.00 1 2-1
3 3 Big Vengeance 0.00 1 2-1
4 4 Bull Shoals 0.00 1 2-1
6 6 Chalky’s Gold 0.00 1 2-1

RACE NUMBER 2 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
6 6 Running Super 0.00 1 2-1
5 5 Chasing Kat 0.00 1 2-1
8 8 Lovely Medaglia 0.00 1 2-1
4 4 Pretty Cecy 0.00 1 2-1
1 1 Stars Hollow 0.00 1 2-1
7 7 Jasmina 0.00 1 2-1
2 2 Bear’s Board 0.00 1 2-1
3 3 How Lovely (IRE) 0.00 1 2-1

RACE NUMBER 3 (Maiden Special Weight) – Maiden Special Weight

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
7 7 Repo 0.00 1 2-1
5 5 Little King 0.00 1 2-1
6 6 Vern Gosdin 0.00 1 2-1
4 4 Scam Alert 0.00 1 2-1
2 2 Empire of Ash 0.00 1 2-1
3 3 Is That You Wing 0.00 1 2-1
1 1 Angel’s Ember 0.00 1 2-1
10 10 Goodtimesntanlines 0.00 1 2-1
9 9 Olympian Thirst 0.00 1 2-1
8 8 Cupid Cowboy 0.00 1 2-1

RACE NUMBER 4 (Allowance Optional Claiming) – Allowance Optional Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
7 7 Kerry Gold 0.00 1 2-1
3 3 Disko Tribute 0.00 1 2-1
8 8 Hacking It Up 0.00 1 2-1
6 6 Piper’s Causeway 0.00 1 2-1
1 1 Its a Cinch 0.00 1 2-1
5 5 Scene by Me 0.00 1 2-1
4 4 I’m a Bad Boy 0.00 1 2-1
2 2 Arkadelphia 0.00 1 2-1

RACE NUMBER 5 (Rancho Bernardo S.) – Rancho Bernardo S.

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
5 5 Sweet Azteca 0.00 1 2-1
1 1 Thermal 0.00 1 2-1
6 6 Sweet Gal of Mine 0.00 1 2-1
4 4 Fire Ban 0.00 1 2-1
2 2 Catalina Cocktail 0.00 1 2-1
3 3 Antifona (FR) 0.00 1 2-1

RACE NUMBER 6 (Maiden Claiming) – Maiden Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
10 10 Cano for the Win 0.00 1 2-1
11 11 Rapid Ascent 0.00 1 2-1
7 7 Whynotanotherone 0.00 1 2-1
8 8 H Q Wilson 0.00 1 2-1
12 12 Disillusioned 0.00 1 2-1
1 1 Elusive Con 0.00 1 2-1
4 4 War Artist 0.00 1 2-1
9 9 Low Tox 0.00 1 2-1
2 2 Hoosick Falls 0.00 1 2-1
13 13 Sigma Boy 0.00 1 2-1
3 3 King of Success 0.00 1 2-1
5 5 My Man Joe Roldan 0.00 1 2-1
6 6 Texas Wildcat 0.00 1 2-1

RACE NUMBER 7 (Allowance Optional Claiming) – Allowance Optional Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
6 6 Ima Joker 0.00 1 2-1
4 4 Cipriani 0.00 1 2-1
3 3 Misleading 0.00 1 2-1
2 2 Miso Phansy 0.00 1 2-1
1 1 Goodies 0.00 1 2-1
7 7 Midnight Horizon (IRE) 0.00 1 2-1
5 5 Yoga Master (GB) 0.00 1 2-1

RACE NUMBER 8 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
9 9 Leyas Candy 0.00 1 2-1
7 7 Shortman 0.00 1 2-1
10 10 Cupid’s Crusader 0.00 1 2-1
8 8 Cowboy Mike 0.00 1 2-1
2 2 Big Juanito 0.00 1 2-1
11 11 Duran 0.00 1 2-1
4 4 Levon 0.00 1 2-1
1 1 Mongolian Max 0.00 1 2-1
6 6 Smiling Jojo 0.00 1 2-1
5 5 Tariff 0.00 1 2-1
3 3 Cathal (IRE) 0.00 1 2-1

RACE NUMBER 9 (Allowance Optional Claiming) – Allowance Optional Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
1 1 Nasty Habit 0.00 1 2-1
5 5 Double Jab 0.00 1 2-1
4 4 Del Mar Jerry 0.00 1 2-1
2 2 Private Gem 0.00 1 2-1
10 10 Sir Rocket 0.00 1 2-1
11 11 Bullwhacker 0.00 1 2-1
7 7 The Rabbi 0.00 1 2-1
9 9 Gabaldon 0.00 1 2-1
3 3 Legal Heir 0.00 1 2-1
8 8 Gettinby 0.00 1 2-1
6 6 Dhitjari (GB) 0.00 1 2-1

RACE NUMBER 10 (Maiden Claiming) – Maiden Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
7 7 Palace Mischief 0.00 1 2-1
4 4 Little Sandy Bee 0.00 1 2-1
10 10 She’s Back 0.00 1 2-1
13 13 Let It Begin 0.00 1 2-1
1 1 Joy the Image 0.00 1 2-1
11 11 Southern Riff 0.00 1 2-1
2 2 Melba Montgomery 0.00 1 2-1
3 3 Champagnia 0.00 1 2-1
8 8 List My Biz 0.00 1 2-1
9 9 Stylishly Big 0.00 1 2-1
6 6 Remember April 0.00 1 2-1
12 12 Diva Dazzle 0.00 1 2-1
5 5 Willow in the Wind 0.00 1 2-1
14 14 Awesome Olga 0.00 1 2-1

Picks are based on historical performance and match-up. Keep up to date on late scratches and other changes – those are not taken into consideration. Sports from the Basement provides no warranty on these suggestions and readers should make picks at their own risk.