Expert prediction
San Diego Handicap Picks – Horse Racing Odds, Betting Preview, and Del Mar Predictions (Jul 18)
- When: Saturday, July 18, 2026 @ 8:40 PM ET
- Where: Del Mar, California
- How to Watch: FanDuel TV
A high-quality afternoon of horse racing action is set for Del Mar on July 18, with the feature being the sixth race on the card and the G2 San Diego Handicap. A field of seven runners will go to post, including the 2025 Preakness winner Journalism. Find our San Diego Handicap predictions and the rest of our picks for Del Mar here.
San Diego Handicap Odds
| Horse (Draw) | Odds |
|---|---|
| Mc Vay (1) | +1500 |
| Mirahmadi (2) | +600 |
| Shea Brennan (3) | +1200 |
| Iron Man Cal (4) | +1000 |
| Journalism (5) | +100 |
| Full Serrano (6) | +350 |
| The Goat (7) | +600 |
Latest odds taken from an Offshore Sportsbook. BetOnline markets open on the day of the race.
Race Information & Records
| Stat | Information |
|---|---|
| Race Distance | 1 1/16 Miles |
| Purse | $300,000 |
| Most Successful Trainer | John Sadler, Robert Frankel, Charlie Whittingham (5) |
| Most Successful Jockey | Chris McCarron, Victor Espinoza (6) |
ALSO SEE: Spain vs. Argentina World Cup Finals Betting Preview, Odds, Predictions (Jul 19)
San Diego Handicap: Recent Winners
- 2025– Nysos (Flavien Prat/Bob Baffert)
- 2024– Dr. Venkman (Antonio Fresu/Mark Glatt)
- 2023– Senor Buscador (Geovanni Franco/Todd Fincher)
- 2022– Royal Ship (Mike Smith/Richard Mandella)
- 2021– Express Train (Juan Hernandez/John Shirreffs)
San Diego Handicap: Betting Preview
The G2 San Diego Handicap has been a springboard for proven Grade One winners in recent years, with Nysos and Senor Buscador landing the honors before later winning the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile and Pegasus World Cup, respectively.
Journalism should be hugely respected in this spot for Richard Mandella, despite having run disappointingly on all efforts this season. Last year’s Preakness winner has been unable to compete against the very best in 2026, most recently finishing four lengths behind Nysos when third in the G1 Metropolitan Handicap. Is winless since landing a modest edition of the G1 Haskell 12 months ago.
John Sadler has an excellent record in this race, and Full Serrano shouldn’t be dismissed now back up in distance. He likely needed the run last time when fourth in the G3 Oaklawn Mile over an inadequate trip. Was previously third in the Pegasus World Cup, and he has excellent course form in the book, winning the G1 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile at Del Mar.
Bob Baffert is represented by Mirahmadi this weekend. The Into Mischief offspring makes his first start this weekend since finishing second in last year’s edition of the G2 San Diego Handicap.
The Goat is also of interest despite the wide draw. The five-year-old was a multiple-time Grade One winner in Chile before finishing fourth in the G3 Triple Bend on U.S. debut.
San Diego Handicap Picks
Journalism will be short enough in the betting this weekend. John Sadler typically gets joy with his foreign imports, meaning The Goat could be a very interesting improver. The five-year-old was excellent when winning three Grade Ones during his time in Chile, and there were plenty of positives to take from his opening effort on U.S. dirt in the Triple Bend.
Free Pick:
Del Mar Picks for July 18
| Race | Pick |
|---|---|
| Race 1- Claiming | Hey Brother |
| Race 2- Maiden Special Weight | Pavular |
| Race 3- Allowance Optional Claiming | A Great Shaking |
| Race 4- Maiden Special Weight | Holmby |
| Race 5- Claiming | Kid Dynasty |
| Race 6- Maiden Special Weight | Freedom Sings |
| Race 7- Allowance Optional Claiming | El Rey Rey |
| Race 8- G2 San Diego Handicap | See Above |
| Race 9- G2 San Clemente Handicap | Inbox |
| Race 10- Allowance Optional Claiming | Vitruvian Man |
| Race 11- Maiden Special Weight | Conquer We Must |
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