Del Mar Horse Racing Picks for Sunday 9/4/22

Starting at 4:00 p.m. ET, we have 11 races Sunday at Del Mar including the $1 million TVG Pacific Classic.

As always, check the program for scratches and changes, and monitor the weather and track conditions.

(I will reference Equibase's Speed Figure in selected races, which tells you how fast a horse has been running in each of its races -- adjusted for track, distances, and conditions).

Del Mar Betting

According to numberFire horse racing projections, these are the best bets to make at FanDuel Racing today.

1. Desert Dawn and Under the Stars, Race 5

FanDuel Racing Odds: 9/5 and 5/2
Bet Now at TVG | Bet Now at FanDuel

Race 5 is the $125,000 Torrey Pines Stakes (G3) for 3-year-old fillies going 1-mile. Desert Dawn (9/5) is the top pick by numberFire's data and the one to beat after finishing runner-up against older fillies and mares in a Grade 1 at Del Mar last month. She also won the Santa Anita Oaks (G2) in April and finished third in the Kentucky Oaks (G1).

Midnight Memories (3/1), Grace Adler (3/1) and Under the Stars (5/2) with top jockey Juan Hernandez riding are a trio of leading contenders for controversial trainer Bob Baffert. Under the Stars beat Desert Dawn in the Summertime Oaks (G2) in June.

2. Rocky Gibraltar and Stayin' Out Late, Race 6

FanDuel Racing Odds: 5/2 and 4/1
Bet Now at TVG | Bet Now at FanDuel

Race 6 is a Claiming race with 10 runners going 1-mile. Rocky Gibraltar (5/2) is the favorite and preferred pick by the numberFire data and Best Bet of Del Mar handicapper Brad Free. She has suitable speed figures to win and drops to a bottom class with good speed workouts in place. The meets leading jockey Juan Hernandez rides.

Primer Dimer (3/1) was claimed last race after finishing a half length behind the winner with a wide trip. Stayin' Out Late (4/1) is in from the Midwest with many of the highest speed figures.

3. Lieutenant Dan and Dubai Key, Race 9

FanDuel Racing Odds: 5/2 and 3/1
Bet Now at TVG | Bet Now at FanDuel

Race 9 is the $150,000 Green Flash Handicap (G3) with 11 runners sprinting 5 furlongs on the turf. Lieutenant Dan (5/2) will be tough to beat as the top pick of numberFire ahead of Maven (8/1). He's the fastest and most accomplished horse having finished runner-up in the Breeders' Cup Turf sprint at Del Mar last November.

Whatmakessammyrun (5/1) finished second behind Lieutenant Dan last race and has top turf rider Umberto Rispoli in the irons.

Dubai Key (3/1) is a talented South African runner to include in exacta and trifecta wager. He can win and is 3-for-3 this year in the U.S. looking to take this wire-to-wire. Impressive win last race over the track and a recent bullet work in place as well.