Del Mar Oaks Picks — Betting Preview and Predictions (Aug 16)

Grade One action will be staged across the U.S. this weekend, which includes the 2025 running of the Alabama Stakes at Saratoga. However, in California, the attention will be on the G1 Del Mar Oaks. Fillies aged three will collide over 1 1/8 miles on the turf, and it could offer clues for major races at the Breeders’ Cup later this year.

Odds

Del Mar Oaks Recent Winners

Del Mar Oaks: Event Information

Race Preview

One of the most competitive Grade Ones of the summer will be staged at the home of the 2025 Breeders’ Cup this weekend, as the Del Mar Oaks will be staged. This weekend’s race will be run on the turf, with the fillies aged three competing over a distance of 1 1/8 miles.

Thought Process is likely to head the betting for last year’s winning trainer, Philip D’Amato. The three-year-old has been impressive over a mile this season, most notably when landing the G2 San Clemente Handicap on her latest start. Ticks plenty of boxes, and already has wins over one of the market rivals.

Lush Lips should also be a solid contender for trainer Brendan Walsh. After finishing second behind the progressive Nitrogen on back-to-back starts, the filly finally landed success in stakes company when landing the Tepin at Churchill Downs in June. Back against her own sex makes her a major player once again.

Hector Barrios is the usual rider of Thought Process, but has instead opted for Take A Breath this weekend. That is a fascinating angle for the filly, who was previously trained in the UK with William Haggas. She impressed at the start of this season, winning on back-to-back starts in competitive handicaps at Sandown and Beverley.

Edge Of Mali could be an improving filly for the Jeff Mullins team, and she may be overpriced in the betting. The three-year-old made a winning start under rules in the U.S. last month when beating Double Bay by a length over a mile. Likely to improve again now up in distance.  

Del Mar Oaks Picks

Despite the strength of the top two in the betting, this is by no means a two-horse race. A chance could be taken on Firenze Flavor to reverse the form with Thought Process.

She didn’t enjoy the smoothest of passages over an inadequate mile at Del Mar last month, but still finished within three lengths of the hot favorite. Back up in distance aids her chances this weekend after previously landing success in the G3 Honeymoon at Santa Anita. Big player at a good price.