Horse Racing Picks for Sat, Aug. 29, 2026 at Del Mar
Horse racing picks and best bets for Sat, Aug. 29th,, 2026 at Del Mar from Turtle Sports’ Lundin Line. Get expert analysis, free tips, and stakes-race insights to help you cash in on today’s card in sunny San Diego.
HORSE RACING
- Fink
The coast-to-coast action for Turtle Sports continues as we head to the West Coast for your lunchtime racing fix. Saratoga is already underway, with many races in the books and plenty more to come. This Del Mar card will carry us through dinner on the West Coast and beyond. Today’s program features 10 races, two stakes, and both are Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” races.
Race 9 brings the Pat O’Brien Stakes, a $250,000 Grade 2 dirt sprint for 3-year-olds and up at seven furlongs. It’s another unusual distance at a different track, and the winner punches a ticket to the Dirt Mile right back here in October. The field is loaded with proven names, including the top two finishers from last year’s race. Dr Venkman earned his Breeders’ Cup berth with a half-length win over Stronghold, and those two drew the rail and the two hole this time around. Will we see a repeat of last year’s showdown, or will another runner steal the spotlight?
The feature race of the day is the Grade 2 Del Mar Handicap, a $300,000 turf route at 1 3/8 miles for 3-year-olds and up. Last year’s winner, Gold Phoenix, returns for his 8-year-old season and looks to earn a spot in the Longines Turf for a second straight year. Horses this old don’t win many races, but both of our cappers think he’s up to the challenge, and the track capper agrees, listing him as the morning-line favorite. The weather should be a bit warmer than usual, with highs in the mid-80s under mostly sunny skies. The track should be fast and the turf firm for a strong afternoon of racing.
Happy Saturday & National Chop Suey 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. 29th, 2026 @ Del Mar
First Post @ 2:00 PDT (5:00 EDT)
⭑Best Bet(s)
Ⓢtakes Race(s)
Aug.29th / National Chop Suey Day!
3 Theories on the origin of Chop Suey:
Chinese-American invention: Chinese immigrants in 19th-century America supposedly created chop suey from leftover vegetables and meat to serve local customers.
Taishan/Hakka roots: The dish may have evolved from traditional southern Chinese stir-fries brought by immigrants from Guangdong, especially the Taishan region.
The 1896 Li Hongzhang story: A popular legend claims that Chinese diplomat Li Hongzhang requested a mixed dish during a visit to the United States, though historians consider this unlikely.
R1: 2-3-5
R2: 2⭑-4-6-10
R3: 2-1-6
R4: 2-4-1-5
R5: 4-7-10-12
R6: 6-8-10-9
R7: 6-4-9-8
R8: 1-9-3-11
🏇R9Ⓢ: Pat O'Brien S.
LL: 9-6-8-2
Fink: 1-2-8-9
Mr W: 9-3-6-4
🏇R10Ⓢ: Del Mar H.
LL: 8-4-2-10
Fink: 4⭑-7-2-9
Mr. W: 4⭑-8-2-10
🏇= Featured Race(s)
R2: Carolina Legacy (#2)
R10: Gold Phoenix (IRE) (#4)
🏇R9: 250K Pat O'Brien S. (G2)/BC
7 Furlongs on Dirt for 3-Year-Olds & Up
BC Div.: Dirt Mile
🏇R10: 300K Del Mar H.
7 Furlongs on Dirt for 3-Year-Olds & Up
BC Div.: Longines Turf