Del Mar hosts Breeders’ Cup qualifying stakes

Del Mar’s upcoming Saturday racing card features two significant Grade II stakes races that offer automatic berths to the 2026 Breeders’ Cup.

The Del Mar Handicap, a turf race, provides the winner with a spot in the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Turf. Gold Phoenix is the heavy favorite for the event, attempting to secure an unprecedented fifth consecutive victory in this specific race. Jockey Hector Berrios, who has ridden the horse for three of its last four wins, described the horse as professional and smart.

Earlier on the card, the Pat O’Brien Stakes offers its winner a guaranteed position in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile. This seven-furlong race features a competitive field of ten horses. The event serves as a key stepping stone for contenders looking to qualify for the Breeders’ Cup Sprint or the Dirt Mile.