Novemebr 23rd - Del Mar Picks

Sunday at Del Mar — November 23, 2025

We’re rolling into a busy Thanksgiving week with family and friends in town, and Del Mar has added a rare Monday card (Nov. 24) to make up for Friday’s weather cancellation. Today’s Sunday program features a few lighter fields, but there are still several competitive races on tap where I expect a couple of favorites to be tough to beat.

Let’s dig in and break down what looks like another solid day of racing at Where the Turf Meets the Surf.

Here are my Del Mar horse racing picks for 11/23/25:

R1) 4-2-1-6-3

R2) 1- 5 (Exacta Box 1 and 5)

Race 3 — #2 Night Out (4-1)Night Out gets a positive rider upgrade with Umberto Rispoli taking the reins for Phil D’Amato, a trainer-jockey combination that has been consistently productive at Del Mar. This 4-year-old colt comes off a strong runner-up effort in his last start, where he went off as the post-time favorite and closed well through the lane.

He’s shown an affinity for the Del Mar surface with 4 starts resulting in 2 seconds and a third, and today’s group may offer the right opportunity to secure that second career victory.

It’s a competitive field, but Night Out profiles as a major player if he repeats or improves off his most recent effort. WIN / SHOW

R4) 2-3-4

Race 5 — #8 Dare to Fly (4-1) Dare to Fly comes into this spot in sharp form after just missing by a nose in her latest start for trainer Phil D’Amato. Umberto Rispoli has been aboard for her last three outings, and the pair has worked well together as this 3-year-old daughter of Daredevil continues to progress.

Since switching surfaces, she has shown steady improvement in her speed figures, suggesting she’s starting to put it all together. With another forward move, she’s a serious threat to break through and find the winner’s circle today.

This is a competitive field, and for those spreading in deeper tickets, I also give consideration to 2, 6, 9, and 11 as live contenders.

R6) 8-7-3

R7) 2 / 4-5-6

R8) 2-6-3-9-8

R9) 8-10-7-1-4-13

Good Luck and Thanks for stopping by.