The San Diego Handicap (G2), held this year for the 85th time, was inaugurated in 1937 as part of the track’s first race card, so it carries significant history connected to the Del Mar oval.
It is contested at 1 1/16 miles on the main track for 3-year-olds and up and serves as a key local prep for the 1¼-mile, $1 million Pacific Classic (G1) later in the meet.
Notable winners of the San Diego Handicap include several champions and high-class performers who left their mark on Del Mar and beyond.
Native Diver, a California icon, captured the race three consecutive times from 1963 to 1965, showcasing his dominance as a multiple stakes winner and fan favorite on the West Coast.
More recently, Kentucky Derby (G1) winner and two-time Horse of the Year California Chrome added the San Diego to his résumé as a 5-year-old. Maximum Security [disqualified from first in the 2019 Derby] took home the honors during his 4-year-old campaign for Bob Baffert.
Accelerate (2017) and Catalina Cruiser (2018-2019) gave John Sadler his third, fourth, and fifth winners in the race, the latter repeating under different jockeys for the Hronis Racing stable.
Other standouts include Skimming (2000-2001), who won back-to-back for Bobby Frankel and Juddmonte Farms; Giacomo (2006), the 2005 Kentucky Derby winner; and Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G2) winners Full Serrano (2024) and Nysos (2025), continuing the tradition of top Southern California talents shining in the event.
Late Hall of Fame trainers Charlie Whittingham and Frankel are tied with Sadler with five winners each, while fellow Hall members, jockeys Chris McCarron and Victor Espinoza, have piloted six winners each.
A competitive field of seven has been set, headlined by classic winner Journalism and 2024 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile winner Full Serrano.
Classic winner Journalism (1-1) is the standout here, and the 4-year-old by Curlin, who was ranked among the top of his 3-year-old crop, reunites with jockey Umberto Rispoli, who is coming off an injury. The Curlin colt has run well this year but has yet to collect a win, though his third in the Oaklawn Handicap (G2) and Met Mile (G1) were strong.
He broke his maiden at Del Mar and returns “home” fresh off sharp works at Santa Anita. The Michael McCarthy trainee should relish the distance and track and is the top pick here.
The come backing Mirahmadi (6-1) was a strong second to Nysos in last year’s San Diego Handicap, showing his affinity for the track and distance. He hasn’t started since that race, but a return for any Bob Baffert-trained runner should not be taken lightly. Under Juan Hernandez, the Into Mischief 5-year-old will likely press the pace or sit mid-pack thanks to his tactical speed. If he has recaptured his best form, he could be a live exotic player or even challenge for a share. His works suggest he’ll be fit for the distance, so watch the tote board.
Full Serrano’s (7-2) most important career win came over Del Mar’s main track in the 2024 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile after arriving from Argentina. His recent form includes a solid third in the Pegasus World Cup (G1) and a troubled fourth in the Oaklawn Mile (G3) after a poor start. He has strong tactical speed and can stalk or press; he loves Del Mar and has trained strongly recently. While age and inconsistency are factors, he remains dangerous and could handle Journalism if at his peak. Major contender with excellent win potential.
Phil D’Amato sends out Iron Man Cal (10-1), who is primarily a turf specialist. His most recent grass form is solid but unproven on the main track at this level. He has speed and could be dangerous if he gets out on the front end early, but the surface switch and class rise against dirt routers make this an ambitious spot. D’Amato has said this is largely an experiment, and if it doesn’t work, he’ll head back to turf, so bet accordingly.
The Goat (6-1) also hails from Sadler’s barn, and the Chilean stakes winner adds intrigue, with limited North American exposure. His only start in the Northern Hemisphere produced a fourth in the Triple Bend Stakes (G3) six weeks ago. The Midshipman colt needs to improve to factor against this field, but he could be an interesting exotic player.
Expect him to be a longshot with outside chances under Emisael Jaramillo.
Mc Vay (15-1) is a consistent but not elite performer who most recently finished a distant third behind Forged Steel in the Hollywood Gold Cup (G2) at Santa Anita. The son of Constitution has shown ability in allowance and stakes company on the West Coast circuit but appears to lack the top-end talent of the headliners. He prefers a stalking trip and can grind out a placing under jockey Hector Barrios if the pace melts, but the Pete Eurton trainee appears overmatched here against Grade 1 winners and needs a career-best to contend seriously.
Cal-bred stakes winner Shea Brennan (12-1), who took the recent Bertrando Stakes at Los Alamitos, brings a nice recent victory into his first Grade 1 test. He’ll likely sit forwardly placed or mid-pack early and does have some tactical versatility, but though he has performed well in restricted company, this step up in class here may be a tough one. Also trained by D’Amato, he’s a viable longshot for a share under jockey Armando Ayuso.
| # | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | M/L |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mc Vay | H I Berrios | P Eurton | 15/1 |
| 2 | Mirahmadi | J J Hernandez | B Baffert | 6/1 |
| 3 | Shea Brennan | A Ayuso | P D'Amato | 12/1 |
| 4 | Iron Man Cal | A Fresu | P D'Amato | 10/1 |
| 5 | Journalism | U Rispoli | M W McCarthy | 1/1 |
| 6 | Full Serrano | J Rosario | J W Sadler | 7/2 |
| 7 | The Goat | E Jaramillo | J W Sadler | 6/1 |
Last Updated on 07/16/2026
The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.
