What is the Del Mar Handicap?
The Del Mar Handicap is a prestigious Grade 2 Thoroughbred horse race held annually at Del Mar Racetrack in Del Mar, California. It is open to horses three years old and up, running a distance of 1 3/8 miles on turf.
When is the Del Mar Handicap in 2024?
The Del Mar Handicap is scheduled to take place on August 31st. This race is a key event in the Del Mar summer racing season and attracts top turf horses from around the country.
Del Mar Handicap Winners
Notable winners of the Del Mar Handicap include Celtic New Year, who won in 2011, and Casino Host, who took the title in 2012. These horses have demonstrated exceptional performance, further cementing the race’s importance in the world of thoroughbred racing.
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Owner | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Gold Phoenix (IRE) | Kyle Frey | Philip D'Amato | Little Red Feather Racing, Sterling Stables & Marsha Naify | 2:17.05 |
| 2023 | Gold Phoenix (IRE) | Juan J. Hernandez | Philip D'Amato | Little Red Feather Racing, Sterling Stables & Marsha Naify | 2:15.34 |
| 2022 | Gold Phoenix (IRE) | Flavien Prat | Philip D'Amato | Little Red Feather Racing, Sterling Stables & Marsha Naify | 2:14.51 |
| 2021 | Astronaut | Victor Espinoza | John Shirreffs | John MB O'Connor | 2:15.97 |
| 2020 | Red King | Umberto Rispoli | Philip D'Amato | Little Red Feather Racing, G Jacobsen & P Belmonte | 2:15.75 |
The Del Mar Handicap is significant for online horse betting as it serves as a 2024 Breeders' Cup Challenge "Win and You're In" race. This means that the winner of the Del Mar Handicap earns an automatic entry into the Breeders' Cup Turf, one of the most prestigious races in the 2024 Breeders' Cup Challenger Series. This adds to the excitement for bettors who are looking to place wagers on horses with a chance to compete in the Breeders' Cup.
