Brad Free's Del Mar Horses to Watch for the week of Aug. 13-16, 2026

TESSUTO
Trainer: Peter Miller
Last race: Aug. 13, 4th
Finish: 2nd by 3 1/4
Beyer: 82
Veteran comebacker set fast pace in dirt mile, battled into lane, held second, solid return. Timely $32k Miller claim from George Papaprodromou, runs short or long, entered on Aug. 21, race 6.

OGLE
Trainer: Michael McCarthy
Last race: Aug. 14, 2nd
Finish: 1st by 2 1/4
Beyer: 63
Debut 2-year-old filly by Oscar Performance trailed maiden turf mile, split rivals three wide into stretch, ran away, strong gallop-out. Stakes race next for sib to Grade 1 winner Stark Contrast.

DOUBLE NEAT
Trainer: Hector Palma
Last race: Aug. 14, 4th
Finish: 8th by 4
Beyer: 79
Older gelding sped to lead in $32k claiming turf mile, fast pace, faltered in deep stretch. Claimed by Palma from Peter Miller, can contend with similar when he rations his speed more efficiently.

:: Play to Win at Del Mar! Get DRF Past Performances, Expert Picks and Clocker Reports

PRACTICAL JACK
Trainer: Val Brinkerhoff
Last race: Aug. 14, 5th
Finish: 2nd by 1/2
Beyer: 78
Dropper from maiden special weight to maiden-32 ran super. Sped to lead, fast pace, worn down, finished more than nine lengths clear of third. Can wire similar maiden-claiming sprint next out.

FAIR QUESTION
Trainer: Brian Koriner
Last race: Aug. 15, 4th
Finish: 9th by 11 1/2
Beyer: 29
Favorite in Cal-bred maiden turf sprint dueled four wide into turn, then caught outside a lugging-out rival, and eliminated. Draw a line through this, worth another chance at same class level.

ICANTHELPMYSELF
Trainer: Brian Koriner
Last race: Aug. 15, 7th
Finish: 2nd by 1 1/2
Beyer: 87 
Debut 2-year-old colt by Mo Forza ran super. Chased fast pace set by winner Inshallah, finished four clear, galloped out in front. Maiden would be contender in Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity on Sept. 6.

WHYNOTANOTHERONE
Trainer: Bob Hess, Jr.
Last race: Aug. 16, 6th
Finish: 1st by 5 1/2
Beyer: 66
Favored in $16k maiden-claiming route, 3-year-old ran accordingly. Broke running, crossed over, caused interference, ran away, disqualified and placed last. Short price next out vs. similar.

RUNNING SUPER
Trainer: Vladimir Cerin 
Last race: Aug. 16, 2nd
Finish: 4th by 5
Beyer: 62
Claiming mare checked and shuffled back into turn in $16,000 claiming nonwinners of three sprint. Never comfortable, finished evenly, inconclusive. Worth consideration in similar sprint.

:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.