Eddie Read the Sunday Spotlight at Del Mar; Analysis, Odds, Picks

The $250,000 Eddie Read Stakes (G2), set for Sunday at Del Mar, is the feature on a highly bettable and quality-filled 11-race card.

Race History and Notable Winners

First run in 1974 as the Eddie Read Handicap (named for Del Mar’s longtime publicity director Eddie Read), it was a Grade 1 from 1988–2015 before dropping to Grade 2. It is contested at 1⅛ miles on the Jimmy Durante Turf Course and serves as a key West Coast event for older turf horses, many pointing toward the Breeders’ Cup.

Notable multiple winners include United (2020-2021), Acclamation (2011-2012), Special Ring (2003-2004), Fastness (1995-1996), and Wickerr (1981-1982). Other standouts include Kotashaan (1993), Horse of the Year and Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) winner; Aragorn (2006) course/stakes record-setter), Jeranimo, Gabriel Charles, Midnight Storm, Hunt, Catapult, Bowies Hero, Gold Phoenix , Johannes (2024), and Formidable Man (2025).

Trainer Bobby Frankel holds the record with seven wins and jockey Corey Nakatani has five.

Eddie Read Betting: Formidable the One to Beat

Formidable Man (7-5) is the defending champion and clear standout in the nine-runner field. The 5-year-old City of Light horse, trained by Michael McCarthy, is a multiple Grade 1 winner with a strong Del Mar record, including the Eddie Read as well as the Del Mar Mile (G2) and Hollywood Derby (G1). He also owns wins in Santa Anita’s Kilroe Mile (G1) and also the Shoemaker Mile (G1), which is his only 2026 start after finishing second in the 2025 Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1). He typically races mid-pack or stalks before closing with a strong late kick; his tactical versatility and course affinity make him the one to beat. Hall of Famer John Velazquez will be in town and will be back in the irons.

Gold Phoenix (3-1) is the durable 8-year-old Belardo gelding and the 2023 Eddie Read winner. A multi-millionaire, the Phil D’Amato trainee is clearly a course specialist having won the last four Del Mar Handicaps (G2) in addition to a handful of other graded stakes like the Kilroe Mile in 2023. He is a classic stalker/closer who settles mid-to-rear and surges late. Jockey Hector Berrios knows him well, and he remains competitive at the distance despite his age and some recent mixed results in higher-level spots.

Mondego (8-1), also from the powerful McCarthy barn, is a 6-year-old Lope de Vega gelding who has found his best form this year. After minor awards in graded company, he broke through in the San Marcos Stakes (G3) earlier this year and then took the Charles Whittingham (G2) at 1¼ miles, both with Emisael Jaramillo aboard. The shorter trip here is a slight question, but he brings recent momentum and is a patient stalker who saves ground and grinds home.

Cabo Spirit (12-1), trained by George Papapadromou, finished second in the 2025 Eddie Read and is a consistent local graded performer who typically shows early speed or presses the pace. He has the class to hit the board again if he can control or sit close without overdoing it under jockey. Mike Smith, he could be a factor for a share at the wire.

Stay Hot (10-1) has not won a race in over a year but was third in the 2025 Eddie Read. He’s struggled a bit this year and hasn’t raced since a fourth-place finish in the San Marcos at Santa Anita in February. He has back class to compete with this group, but he has to find it to be effective. The Pete Eurton trainee is typically a mid-pack or stalking type who can finish strongly when the pace sets up and will have Armando Ayuso back aboard.

Almendares (8-1), a second D’Amato runner who will be ridden by Antonio Fresu, was second to Formidable Man in the 2026 Shoemaker Mile and also won the American Stakes (G3) in April. He’s a competitive graded stakes runner who prefers to settle and finish with a rush and could benefit from a contested pace.

Seal Team (8-1) is winless in exclusively stakes company (all but one graded) in nearly three years. The Richard Mandella-trained son of War Front is competitive and picks up checks, though, and with his best from farther back early, he could pick up another under Joel Rosario.

Astronomer (20-1) doesn’t like to win a lot but has shown some competitiveness in graded stakes throughout his career. The Simon Callaghan trainee is likely part of the early pace scenario under jockey Julien Leparoux but would need a career effort to upset the top choices.

Mi Hermano Ramon (20-1) completes the field as a longer-priced contender. He won the Seabiscuit Handicap (G2) over this course back in late 2024, which was his last win. The Mark Glatt trainee is Grade 1-placed but struggles to win and needs a career-best here.

The picks 1 Formidable Man 2 Gold Phoenix 3 Mondego

US Racing Team

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.

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