Del Mar Handicap
| Grade II race | |
| Location | Del Mar Racetrack Del Mar, California, United States |
|---|---|
| Inaugurated | 1937 |
| Race type | Thoroughbred – Flat racing |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 1+3⁄8 miles (11 furlongs) |
| Surface | Turf |
| Track | Left-handed |
| Qualification | Three-year-olds & up |
| Weight | Assigned |
| Purse | US$250,000 (2015) |
The Del Mar Handicap is an American thoroughbred horse race run each year during the third week of August at the Del Mar Racetrack in Del Mar, California. The Grade II race is open to horses, age three and up, willing to race one and three-eighths miles on the Jimmy Durante turf course.
Since inception, the Del Mar Handicap has been contested at various distances:
- 1+1⁄16 miles : 1937–1948
- 1+1⁄8 miles : 1949–1969
- about 1+1⁄4 miles on dirt : 1976–1985
- 1+3⁄8 miles : 1970–1975, 1986–present
The Del Mar Handicap was run in two divisions in 1972.
In 1969, Figonero won the race in a world record time of 1:46.20 for 1+1⁄8 miles.
Records[edit]
Speed record: (at current distance of 1+3⁄8 miles)
- 2:11.14 – Spring House (2008)
Most wins:
- 2 – Frankly (1948, 1950)
- 2 – Arrogate (1955, 1956)
- 2 – How Now (1957, 1960)
- 2 – Navarone (1992, 1994)
- 2 – Spring House (2008, 2009)
- 2 – Big John B (2014, 2015)
- 2 – Gold Phoenix (IRE) (2022, 2023)
Most wins by an owner:
- 4 – Little Red Feather Racing (2018, 2020, 2022, 2023)
Most wins by a jockey:
- 8 – Bill Shoemaker (1950, 1953, 1954, 1971, 1976, 1982, 1983, 1987)
Most wins by a trainer:
- 8 – Philip D'Amato (2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023)
Winners[edit]
| Year |
Winner |
Age |
Jockey |
Trainer |
Owner |
Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Gold Phoenix (IRE) | 5 | Juan J. Hernandez | Philip D'Amato | Little Red Feather Racing, Sterling Stables & Marsha Naify | 2:15.34 |
| 2022 | Gold Phoenix (IRE) | 4 | Flavien Prat | Philip D'Amato | Little Red Feather Racing, Sterling Stables & Marsha Naify | 2:14.51 |
| 2021 | Astronaut | 4 | Victor Espinoza | John Shirreffs | John MB O'Connor | 2:15.97 |
| 2020 | Red King | 6 | Umberto Rispoli | Philip D'Amato | Little Red Feather Racing, G Jacobsen & P Belmonte | 2:15.75 |
| 2019 | Acclimate | 5 | Florent Geroux | Philip D'Amato | The Ellwood Johnston Trust & Timmy Time Racing | 2:12.71 |
| 2018 | Fashion Business | 4 | Flavien Prat | Philip D'Amato | Little Red Feather Racing and Naify, Marsha | 2:13.84 |
| 2017 | Hunt | 5 | Flavien Prat | Philip D'Amato | Michael House | 2:14.93 |
| 2016 | Ashleyluvssugar | 5 | Gary Stevens | Peter Eurton | Alesia/Bran Jam Stable/Ciaglia Racing | 2:16.11 |
| 2015 | Big John B | 6 | Rafael Bejarano | Philip D'Amato | Michael House | 2:16.37 |
| 2014 | Big John B | 5 | Mike E. Smith | Philip D'Amato | Michael House | 2:12.81 |
| 2013 | Vagabond Shoes | 6 | Victor Espinoza | John W. Sadler | Hronis Racing | 2:11.94 |
| 2012 | Casino Host | 4 | Joseph Talamo | Ronald W. Ellis | Gary & Mary West | 2:14.77 |
| 2011 | Celtic New Year | 4 | Victor Espinoza | John W. Sadler | Michael Jawl | 2:14.92 |
| 2010 | Champ Pegasus | 4 | Joel Rosario | Richard Mandella | Diamond A Racing/Vargas | 2:11.93 |
| 2009 | Spring House | 7 | Alex Solis | Julio C. Canani | Randall D. Hubbard | 2:12.61 |
| 2008 | Spring House | 6 | Corey Nakatani | Julio C. Canani | Randall D. Hubbard | 2:11.14 |
| 2007 | After Market | 4 | Alex Solis | John Shirreffs | Pam & Martin Wygod | 2:13.01 |
| 2006 | T.H. Approval | 5 | Alex Solis | Eduardo Inda | Tadahiro Hotehama | 2:12.34 |
| 2005 | Leprechaun Kid | 6 | Tyler Baze | Mike R. Mitchell | Anastasi, Ukegawa, et al. | 2:12.81 |
| 2004 | Star Over The Bay | 6 | Tyler Baze | Mike R. Mitchell | G. Racing et al. | 2:12.71 |
| 2003 | Irish Warrior | 5 | Alex Solis | Wallace Dollase | Coleman, Dasaro, et al. | 2:12.28 |
| 2002 | Delta Form | 6 | Goncalino Almeida | Jenine Sahadi | Team Valor | 2:12.15 |
| 2001 | Timboroa | 5 | Laffit Pincay Jr. | Robert J. Frankel | Edmund A. Gann | 2:12.59 |
| 2000 | Northern Quest | 5 | Chris McCarron | Robert J. Frankel | 3 Plus U Stable | 2:12.65 |
| 1999 | Sayarshan | 4 | Brice Blanc | Nick Canani | Dehaven/Prestonwood | 2:14.20 |
| 1998 | Bonapartiste | 4 | Chris McCarron | Ron McAnally | Ecurie Fabien Ouaki | 2:14.00 |
| 1997 | Rainbow Dancer | 6 | Alex Solis | Jenine Sahadi | Evergreen Farm | 2:13.60 |
| 1996 | Dernier Empereur | 6 | Pat Valenzuela | Ben D.A. Cecil | Gary A. Tanaka | 2:13.80 |
| 1995 | Royal Chariot | 5 | Laffit Pincay Jr. | Edwin J. Gregson | D&V Enterprises, Inc. | 2:13.60 |
| 1994 | Navarone | 6 | Pat Valenzuela | Rodney Rash | Robert E. Hibbert | 2:14.20 |
| 1993 | Luazur | 4 | Pat Day | Robert J. Frankel | Edmund A. Gann | 2:15.00 |
| 1992 | Navarone | 4 | Pat Valenzuela | Rodney Rash | Robert E. Hibbert | 2:15.00 |
| 1991 | My Style | 4 | Kent Desormeaux | Darrell Vienna | David Milch | 2:13.20 |
| 1990 | Live The Dream | 4 | Alex Solis | Charles Whittingham | Bradley/Bradley/Chandler | 2:13.00 |
| 1989 | Payant | 5 | Robbie Davis | Charles Whittingham | Correas, Seabaugh et al. | 2:15.20 |
| 1988 | Sword Dance | 4 | Chris McCarron | John Gosden | Daniel Schwartz | 2:15.80 |
| 1987 | Swink | 4 | Bill Shoemaker | Charles Whittingham | Nelson Bunker Hunt | 2:13.80 |
| 1986 | Raipillan | 4 | Russell Baze | Warren Stute | Clement L. Hirsch | 2:14.60 |
| 1985 | Barberstown | 5 | Fernando Toro | John Gosden | Bell Bloodstock & McDermott | 1:58.00 |
| 1984 | Precisionist | 3 | Chris McCarron | L.R. Fenstermaker | Fred W. Hooper | 1:56.80 |
| 1983 | Bel Bolide | 5 | Bill Shoemaker | John Gosden | Stonechurch Stable | 1:58.20 |
| 1982 | Muttering | 3 | Bill Shoemaker | D. Wayne Lukas | Tartan Farms (James & Virginia Binger) | 1:57.00 |
| 1981 | Wickerr | 6 | Chris McCarron | Robert J. Frankel | Edmund A. Gann | 1:57.60 |
| 1980 | Go West Young Man | 5 | Ed Delahoussaye | Mary Lou Tuck | Wild Plum Farm | 1:58.20 |
| 1979 | Ardiente | 4 | Chris McCarron | Edwin J. Gregson | Jan Siegel | 1:56.80 |
| 1978 | Palton | 5 | Henry E. Moreno | Henry M. Moreno | Pinetree Stable | 1:57.60 |
| 1977 | Ancient Title | 7 | Darrel McHargue | Keith L. Stucki | Kirkland Stable | 1:55.60 |
| 1976 | Riot in Paris | 5 | Bill Shoemaker | Charles Whittingham | M. J. Bradley & Whittingham | 1:57.60 |
| 1975 | Cruiser II | 6 | Frank Olivares | Ron McAnally | Contreras, Mamakos, Stubrin | 2:14.60 |
| 1974 | Redtop III | 5 | Fernando Toro | Evan S. Jackson | Daniel Schwartz | 2:16.00 |
| 1973 | Red Reality | 7 | Braulio Baeza | MacKenzie Miller | Cragwood Stables | 2:17.00 |
| 1972 | Hill Circus | 4 | Fernando Toro | John H. Adams | El Peco Ranch | 2:16.00 |
| 1972 | Chrisaway | 4 | Robert Howard | Paul R. Fout | Beverly R. Steinman | 2:16.20 |
| 1971 | Pinjara | 6 | Bill Shoemaker | Charles Whittingham | Howard B. Keck | 2:15.60 |
| 1970 | Daryl's Joy | 4 | Johnny Sellers | Charles Whittingham | Robert K. C. Goh | 2:15.60 |
| 1969 | Figonero | 4 | Álvaro Pineda | Warren Stute | Clement L. Hirsch | 1:46.20 |
| 1968 | Quicken Tree | 5 | Bill Hartack | Clyde Turk | Rowan & Whitney | 1:46.60 |
| 1967 | Native Diver | 8 | Jerry Lambert | Buster Millerick | M/M Louis K. Shapiro | 1:46.60 |
| 1966 | Old Mose | 4 | Donald Pierce | Joseph Manzi | Robert E. Hibbert | 1:47.20 |
| 1965 | Terry's Secret | 3 | Alex Maese | Carl A. Roles | Poltex Stable | 1:47.00 |
| 1964 | Viking Spirit | 4 | Kenneth Church | Jim Nazworthy | Thomas E. Brittingham III | 1:48.00 |
| 1963 | Mr. Consistency | 5 | Kenneth Church | Jim Nazworthy | Ann Peppers | 1:47.00 |
| 1962 | Crazy Kid | 4 | Alex Maese | John G. Canty | Vista Hermosa Stable | 1:47.60 |
| 1961 | Scotland | 5 | Merlin Volzke | Charles Whittingham | W. M. Ingram | 1:46.80 |
| 1960 | How Now | 7 | Edward Burns | Cecil Jolly | George C. Newell | 1:46.60 |
| 1959 | Twentyone Guns | 4 | George Taniguchi | Fred M. Smith | M/M John Eyraud | 1:47.20 |
| 1958 | Noredski | 5 | Donald Pierce | Reggie Cornell | Jacques Braunstein | 1:47.60 |
| 1957 | How Now | 4 | Raymond York | Cecil Jolly | George C. Newell | 1:47.60 |
| 1956 | Arrogate | 5 | Johnny Longden | Reggie Cornell | M/M Dick Griegorian | 1:47.00 |
| 1955 | Arrogate | 4 | Johnny Longden | Reggie Cornell | M/M Dick Griegorian | 1:47.60 |
| 1954 | Stranglehold | 5 | Bill Shoemaker | Red McDaniel | M/M N. Gordon Phillips | 1:48.60 |
| 1953 | Goose Khal | 4 | Bill Shoemaker | Willie F. Alvarado | Harry Brown | 1:48.60 |
| 1952 | Grantor | 4 | Johnny Longden | William B. Finnegan | Louis B. Mayer | 1:47.60 |
| 1951 | Blue Reading | 4 | Bill Pearson | Red McDaniel | M/M Clement L. Hirsch | 1:48.60 |
| 1950 | Frankly | 5 | Bill Shoemaker | Buster Millerick | Frank Frankel | 1:48.60 |
| 1949 | Top's Boy | 5 | Ralph Neves | William Molter | Kinsey Ranch | 1:48.80 |
| 1948 | Frankly | 3 | Jack Westrope | Buster Millerick | Frank Frankel | 1:42.60 |
| 1947 | Iron Maiden | 6 | William Parnell | Charles T. Leavitt | Ellwood B. Johnston | 1:43.20 |
| 1946 | Olhaverry | 7 | Melvin Peterson | Anthony E. Silver | Pan de Azucar Stable | 1:43.20 |
| 1945 | Texas Sandman | 4 | Melvin Peterson | Earl H. Sorrell | W. David Rorex | 1:43.20 |
| 1941 | Royal Crusader | 4 | Lester Balaski | Paul Meredith | R. C. Stable | 1:43.60 |
| 1940 | Big Flash | 3 | Eugene Rodriguez | Clyde Phillips | French Lick Springs St | 1:43.00 |
| 1939 | Wedding Call | 3 | Willis Ward | Charles E. McClain | W. C. Gaffers & J. H. Sattler | 1:44.00 |
| 1938 | Ligaroti | 6 | Willie Moran | Lindsay C. Howard | Binglin Stable | 1:43.80 |
| 1937 | Sally's Booter | 5 | Tim Sena | Joe Luddy | Anthony Puccinelli | 1:44.80 |