Del Mar Picks 11/24/25

Monday Racing Action at Del Mar — Bonus Day of Racing

We’ve got an unexpected Monday card at Del Mar—not a holiday, just a makeup day after Friday’s races were canceled due to weather. Always nice to get a little extra racing to kick off Thanksgiving week.

Yesterday, both of our picks landed their show bets, though the returns were modest. The best value came from our exacta with #2 Mrs. Astor and #5 Public Assembly, which returned $15.20 for a $1 exacta—solid value in a short field.

Let’s turn the page and take a look at what Monday’s Del Mar card has to offer. Here are today’s Del Mar picks:

Race 1 — 2-Year-Olds, 5 Furlongs on Turf

A wide-open juvenile sprint to kick off the card, with 5 of the 9 entrants making their first career start. This is the type of race where anything can happen, and for that reason, I’m planning to spread in the early Pick 5.

My top selection is #9 Uecker, a first-time starter for Ryan Hanson, who wins at a solid 14% with 2-year-olds. This gelding has put together a sharp and consistent workout pattern leading into his debut, suggesting he’s fit and ready to fire.

Behind him, I’ll be using several others to cover the unpredictability of this field. WIN AND SHOW BET

9-7-4-2-1

Race 9 — One Mile on Turf (Optional Claiming, Fillies & Mares 3YO+)

We close out the card with a competitive optional claiming event at the mile distance on the turf. My top selection is #4 Ambaya, a talented 3-year-old daughter of Ghostzapper who was narrowly defeated on October 30th against slightly tougher company. She’s been trending the right way, and today’s field looks like a realistic spot for her to break through.

Ambaya should be finishing strongly late, especially with Umberto Rispoli aboard—Rispoli is currently winning at a 20% clip at Del Mar, and few riders navigate the Del Mar turf course better.

With the scratch of #3 Defiance, Ambaya’s odds will likely shorten, but she still looks like the most reliable filly in the lineup. She’ll be my single in both the Late Pick 5 and the Pick 3.

For an exacta, I’ll play:

Race 9- Exacta:• 4 / 1-6-12• Reverse: 1-6-12 / 4

(Race 1)- 9 -7 -4 – 2 - 1

(Race 2)- 4-1-3

(Race 3)- 5-3-4-2-9-1

(Race 4)- 2-3-4

(Race 5)- 7-8-2-6-5-4

(Race 6) 7-1-6-4

(Race 7) 2-7-3-5-9-1

(Race 8) 3-4-2-5

(Race 9) 4/1,6 Exacta Bet

Good luck and enjoy the finale!