Horse Racing Picks for Sat, Aug. 22nd 2026 at Del Mar

We’ve made it to the weekend, and the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series is heating up just as the weather is as summer winds down. Thursday was another quiet day at the track for us, with only one top pick winner and three second-ranked winners in eight races. Both outcomes resulted in a negative ROI for the day. We’re still not sure what needs adjusting, so the best approach is to trust the system that has proven profitable over the years and keep posting our top-rated selections.

Today, we’re back at Del Mar in San Diego, California, where we have an 11-race card featuring two stakes races that are both Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series win-and-you’re-in events. First up is the 5th race, the Grade II Green Flash Handicap. This five-furlong turf sprint for 3-year-olds and up carries a purse of $200,000. The winner earns a spot in the Prevagen Turf Sprint here at Del Mar on the last weekend in October.

Our best of the day comes in this race with the No. 6 Motorious, who finished second here last year after winning the previous two runnings. Although he is an 8-year-old, he has consistently outperformed the other horses he’s faced in this event, which is why Fink makes him the top choice. Mr. W also likes his running style and early pace, making Motorious his top selection. That said, both cappers see the No. 9 Sorrento Sky as a possible factor and their longshot pick.

Next, we head to the 10th race for the Grade I Pacific Classic. This 1 1/4-mile dirt route for 3-year-olds and up carries a purse of $1,000,000. The winner earns a berth in the Longines Classic in October. With 11 runners and multiple Grade I winners in the field, there is plenty of experience to evaluate here.

The most recognizable horse to many is likely the No. 11 Knightsbridge, who is shipping in from the East Coast for his Del Mar debut. He’ll be joined by former Dubai World Cup winner Hit Show, who drew the No. 7 post. While Hit Show did not fare as well the last time he shipped for this race, that kind of winning experience still has to be respected in a field like this. I’ll also point out the No. 2 Forged Steel and the No. 8 British Isles, the only two horses proven at the distance, giving them the strongest experience for this race.

It should be a great day at the track, with highs in the low 80s and mostly sunny skies. The track will be fast and the turf firm, as California’s weather has not shifted in months. As they say in the horse racing world, let’s get out to where the surf meets the turf!

Happy Saturday & National Bao Day!

Need help picking winners? We've got you covered! Our (Always Free) Lundin Line's top picks and best bets are below. We use them to help narrow the field while putting our tickets together. The first post will be here soon, so don't be late -
It's time to get #InTheMoney! 💰💰💰

🏇Sat., Aug. 22ndd, 2026 @ Del Mar
First Post @ 2:00 PDT (5:00 EDT)

⭑Best Bet(s)

Ⓢtakes Race(s)

Aug.22nd / National Bao Day!

R1: 4-8-9-1

R2: 9-2-6-8

R3: 10-12-1-4

R4: 6-3-5

🏇R5Ⓢ: Green Flash H.
LL: 6-3-9-2
Fink: 6-3-9-5
Mr. W: 6-9-5-3

R6: 6-1-5-9

R7: 4-8-10-2

R8: 5-7-9-8

R9Ⓢ: 9-4-2-10

🏇R10Ⓢ: Pacific Classic S.
LL: 2-9-11-5
Fink: 3-11-7-10
Mr. W: 11-2-7-9

R11Ⓢ: 9-6-1-10

🏇= Featured Race(s)

R5: Motorious (GB) (#6)

🏇R5: 200K Green Flash H. (G2T)/BC

5 Furlongs on Turf for 3-Year-Olds & Up

BC Div.: Prevagen Turf Sprint

R9: 300K Del Mar Oaks (G1T)

1 1/8 Miles on Turf for Fillies, 3-Year-Olds.

🏇R10: 1 Mil. Pacific Classic (G1)/BC

1 1/4 Mi. on Dirt for 3-Yr.-Olds & Up

BC Div.: Longines Classic

R11: 300K Del Mar Mile. S. (G2T)

1 Mile on Turf for 3-Yr.-Olds & Up

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