The prestigious summer meet at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club kicks off with massive excitement, showcasing the 2026 San Clemente Handicap as the premier turf event for three-year-old fillies during opening weekend. Fans can watch this Grade 2 event on Saturday, July 18, 2026. The race features a highly competitive field of eleven sophomores sprinting one mile on the Jimmy Durante Turf Course for a handsome $200,000 purse. Del Mar schedules the San Clemente Handicap as Race 9 on an action-packed 11-race card, with an official post time of 6:10 PM Local Pacific Time (9:10 PM Eastern Time).
If you cannot make it to the seaside oval in Southern California, you have several excellent options to catch every second of the action live. NBC provides comprehensive, on-site coverage of the entire Del Mar summer season, featuring expert analysis, paddock looks, and live race calls. Additionally, BUSR racebook offers high-definition live streaming of Del Mar races directly on its platforms. To make the most of your wagers, you need to understand the latest San Clemente Handicap betting odds and track conditions. When you bet on San Clemente Handicap, you are engaging with one of Del Mar's finest summer traditions, and watching the action unfold live makes the experience incredibly thrilling.
Del Mar, famously known as the place "where the turf meets the surf," typically delivers immaculate weather during its summer opening weekend. The forecast for Saturday, July 18, 2026, calls for gorgeous, sunny Southern California skies with temperatures hovering in the mid-70s. A gentle, cooling breeze from the Pacific Ocean will keep both the athletes and the fans comfortable throughout the afternoon. These pristine weather conditions ensure that the Jimmy Durante Turf Course remains in absolutely perfect, firm condition.
A firm Del Mar turf course favors horses with high tactical speed and strong acceleration down the short homestretch. European imports and turf specialists from across North America will find a fast, fair playing surface that allows them to showcase their true athletic abilities. If you want to get involved in San Clemente Handicap betting, you need to understand how this unique turf course plays. The firm turf typically produces blazing times, which means front-runners with high cruising speeds and deep closers with explosive late kicks will decide the outcome.
Opening weekend at Del Mar represents a massive highlight on the international racing calendar, attracting the finest horses, trainers, and jockeys in the sport. Saturday's stellar card features a double-header of graded stakes action, pairing the San Clemente Handicap with the highly anticipated $300,000 Grade 2 San Diego Handicap on the main dirt track. This spectacular combination creates massive wagering pools and offers unparalleled opportunities for horseplayers looking to hit life-changing scores.
The supporting card on Saturday includes competitive maiden special weights, high-caliber allowance matches, and lightning-fast turf sprints that will test the mettle of even the most experienced handicappers. Del Mar's deep field sizes during opening weekend consistently generate massive value, making it the perfect time to register for a new wagering account. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of San Clemente Handicap betting markets to help you build a profitable bankroll for the entire summer meet.
US Racing handicappers have released the initial San Clemente Handicap odds for this eleven-horse field, setting up what promises to be an absolute thriller of a race. Below, we analyze each filly in the lineup, analyzing their trainers, jockeys, assigned weights, and morning line odds to help you identify the best betting opportunities.
| # | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | M/L |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Raiding Party | B Curtis | B P Walsh | 3/1 |
| 2 | Wild Like the West | H I Berrios | R Baltas | 15/1 |
| 3 | Ground Support | A Beschizza | K Danner | 5/1 |
| 4 | Spirit Doll | R Hughes | S A Joseph, Jr. | 8/1 |
| 5 | Peanutbutterbombe | A Fresu | P D'Amato | 8/1 |
| 6 | Light Won Up | E Jaramillo | D F O'Neill | 10/1 |
| 7 | Marjoram | J J Hernandez | M W McCarthy | 8/1 |
| 8 | Inbox | J Rosario | P D'Amato | 8/1 |
| 9 | Lookin At Diamond | U Rispoli | L Powell | 6/1 |
| 10 | Somerset West | A Ayuso | J W Sadler | 20/1 |
| 11 | Cortina d'Amprezzo | J R Leparoux | P D'Amato | 20/1 |
Last Updated on 07/16/2026
Trainer Brendan P. Walsh brings a highly formidable Irish-bred filly to Del Mar in Raiding Party (IRE). Jockey Ben Curtis takes the mount, and the filly carries 120 pounds as the morning line favorite. The latest San Clemente Handicap odds reflect her immense talent and class, establishing her as the horse to beat at 3/1. Raiding Party possesses a devastating turn of foot that should play beautifully on the firm Del Mar turf. Brendan Walsh knows exactly how to ship turf runners to Southern California and win, making this filly an incredibly logical choice for your multi-race wagers. Wagerers who plan to bet on San Clemente Handicap should look closely at the Phil D'Amato trainees, but they must also respect this class-heavy Walsh invader.
Trainer Richard Baltas sends out the Kentucky-bred Wild Like the West (KY) at long morning line odds of 15/1. Jockey Hector Isaac Berrios, a master of saving ground on the Del Mar turf, will guide this filly from post position 2 under a light weight of 119 pounds. While the San Clemente Handicap odds suggest a wide-open race, certain fillies possess distinct speed advantages, and Wild Like the West could surprise at a massive price. If she can secure a cozy trip along the rail, she has the tactical speed to outrun her long morning line price. This filly represents an excellent candidate for the bottom of your trifecta and superfecta tickets.
Trainer Kelsey Danner enters Ground Support (FL) with jockey Adam Beschizza in the irons. Carrying the high weight of 123 pounds, the Florida-bred filly enters the race with highly attractive morning line odds of 5/1. Ground Support has a consistent speed and a gritty running style that make her a major threat in this field. Despite conceding weight to all ten rivals, her physical toughness and competitive drive should keep her right in the mix when the field turns for home. Experienced players know that San Clemente Handicap betting requires a strong understanding of pace dynamics, and Ground Support will likely push the early pace.
The dangerous Florida-based trainer Saffie A. Joseph, Jr. ships Spirit Doll (KY) to Del Mar, assigning the mount to jockey Rasheed Hughes. Carrying 121 pounds, Spirit Doll enters the conversation with fair morning line odds of 8/1. Saffie Joseph enjoys immense success when shipping his runners across the country, and Spirit Doll has the raw speed to make things highly uncomfortable for the local California contingent. If Hughes can secure a forwardly placed position without getting caught wide around the first turn, Spirit Doll can easily run away with the prize.
Southern California turf maestro Philip D'Amato saddles Peanutbutterbombe (KY), a Kentucky-bred filly carrying 120 pounds. Regular rider Antonio Fresu takes the reins, and oddsmakers have set her morning line odds at 8/1. D'Amato holds the record as the winningest trainer in the history of Del Mar's turf stakes, and Peanutbutterbombe has shown rapid progression in her recent morning works. If you choose to bet on San Clemente Handicap this Saturday, pay close attention to trainer Phil D'Amato, as his runners always peak during the Del Mar summer meet. Peanutbutterbombe represents a major threat to win the race outright.
Local trainer Doug F. O'Neill enters the speedy Light Won Up (KY) under aggressive jockey Emisael Jaramillo. Carrying 121 pounds, this filly sits at 10/1 on the morning line. Jaramillo will almost certainly send Light Won Up straight to the front from post 6, attempting to control the race from start to finish. If the other speed elements in the race allow her to establish an easy, uncontested lead, she could easily pull off the upset. You will find highly competitive San Clemente Handicap odds at our featured online racebooks, making this speed threat a great option for exotic wagers.
Trainer Michael W. McCarthy partners with Del Mar's leading jockey, Juan J. Hernandez, to send out Marjoram (KY) at 8/1 morning line odds. Carrying 121 pounds, Marjoram enters the race in career-best form. Juan Hernandez knows every inch of the Del Mar turf, and his presence in the saddle always commands respect from horseplayers. Marjoram possesses a versatile running style, allowing Hernandez to sit just off the pace or launch a sustained bid from mid-pack. This filly deserves serious consideration on all your betting tickets.
Philip D'Amato's second entry, the Great Britain-bred Inbox (GB), lines up under world-class jockey Joel Rosario. Carrying 119 pounds, Inbox holds morning line odds of 8/1. D'Amato's European imports typically improve leaps and bounds once they adjust to the firm American turf tracks. Joel Rosario's patience and precise timing fit perfectly with this filly's late-running style. Analyzing the San Clemente Handicap odds reveals that Inbox represents one of the strongest value plays on the entire Saturday card.
Trainer Leonard Powell brings Lookin At Diamond (KY) to the party, securing the services of elite turf jockey Umberto Rispoli. Carrying 118 pounds, this Kentucky-bred filly sits at appealing morning line odds of 6/1. Rispoli excels at navigating tight turf courses like Del Mar, and Powell always prepares his runners impeccably. Before you bet on San Clemente Handicap, make sure to evaluate the pedigree of these European imports, but do not ignore a well-bred local horse like Lookin At Diamond with Rispoli in the irons.
Legendary California trainer John W. Sadler sends out Somerset West (KY) with jockey Armando Ayuso. Carrying a light weight of 117 pounds, this filly sits at long morning line odds of 20/1. While she faces a massive step up in class, Sadler's stable always commands respect at his home track. If a brutal, contested speed duel develops on the front end, Somerset West could pick up the pieces and crash the exotic payouts at a massive price.
Rounding out the field is Philip D'Amato's third entrant, Cortina d'Amprezzo (IRE). Ridden by veteran turf pilot Julien R. Leparoux and carrying just 117 pounds, this Irish-bred filly offers tempting morning line odds of 20/1. D'Amato has won this race multiple times with longshot turf fillies, and Cortina d'Amprezzo possesses the elite breeding to shock this field. Many sharp handicappers approach San Clemente Handicap betting by focusing on turf pedigree, and this filly offers exactly that at a huge price.
The San Clemente Handicap boasts a rich and illustrious history, serving as a critical stepping stone to the Grade 1 Del Mar Oaks later in the summer. In recent years, trainer Philip D'Amato has completely dominated this event, showcasing his masterclass in developing elite turf fillies. In 2024, D'Amato won the race with the brilliant Iscreamuscream, who covered the mile in a swift 1:35.87 under jockey Hector Berrios. D'Amato followed that up with another spectacular victory in 2025, sending out Thought Process to capture the Grade 2 title in 1:36.24, once again with Berrios in the irons.
Other notable past winners include the sensational Anisette (GB) in 2023, who won under Umberto Rispoli for trainer Leonard Powell before going on to achieve multiple Grade 1 victories. In 2022, D'Amato captured the race with Bellabel (IRE), proving that European imports thrive under his meticulous care. Looking back further, champions like Madone (2021) and Laura's Light (2020) have graced the Del Mar turf, cementing the San Clemente Handicap as one of the premier summer turf races in the nation. To master your San Clemente Handicap betting campaign, we suggest exploring exotic wagers, as past results show that favorites and mid-priced contenders regularly construct highly lucrative exacta and trifecta payouts.
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Thought Process | Hector Berrios | 1:36.24 |
| 2024 | Iscreamuscream | Hector Berrios | 1:35.87 |
| 2023 | Anisette (GB) | Umberto Rispoli | 1:34.84 |
| 2022 | Bellabel (IRE) | Umberto Rispoli | 1:35.32 |
| 2021 | Madone | Juan Hernandez | 1:35.28 |
When formulating your wagering strategy for Saturday's showcase event, pace will dictate everything. With speedy fillies like Light Won Up (KY) and Ground Support (FL) in the lineup, we expect an incredibly hot, contested pace from the opening bell. This projected speed duel will work perfectly in favor of the off-the-pace runners and deep closers. Therefore, we highly recommend focusing your primary wagers on the fillies who can relax behind the early speed before unleashing a devastating late run down the lane.
Our top selection for the race is Raiding Party (IRE). Brendan Walsh has her primed for a massive effort, and her explosive turn of foot will prove too much for her rivals to handle. We will pair her in exactas with Philip D'Amato's Inbox (GB) and the tactical Marjoram (KY). Keep an eye on the shifting San Clemente Handicap odds as post time approaches to ensure you get the absolute best value. Because these San Clemente Handicap odds will fluctuate, lock in your value early by placing your bets on our recommended, high-paying wagering platforms. Make sure to claim your $1,000 welcome bonus before you bet on San Clemente Handicap to maximize your starting bankroll.
The 2026 San Clemente Handicap promises to deliver a spectacular afternoon of world-class turf racing, elite athletic performances, and massive payout opportunities. With a highly competitive field of eleven talented fillies, this race offers the perfect canvas for smart horseplayers to turn a massive profit. Create your account today at BUSR racebook to access exclusive promotions and the best horse racing rebates, secure the best odds, and receive a $1,000 sign-up bonus when you place your wagers on this weekend's spectacular Del Mar action.
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.
