Del Mar Picks: Hollywood Derby Stakes (11/29/2025)

Horses in the Paddock at Del Mar

The racing action from Del Mar on Saturday features the Hollywood Derby. @HandicappingT3 has all the Del Mar picks for the entire card!

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Track Full Card Analysis

Del Mar Picks: Hollywood Derby Stakes (11/29/2025)

Del Mar Picks: Hollywood Derby Stakes (11/29/2025)

Del Mar Picks – Race 1

Post Time: 11:30 AM PT; Starter Optional Claiming $34k; 1 M Turf; Field of 11 runners.

  • #10 REHEARSAL (8-1): Top pick. Looks good based on the 86 speed rating which is among the top in the group. Barn has been solid.
  • #2 CAT THE CONFIDANTE (7-2): Major Player. Good race flow for this runner. Looks fast enough off previous efforts.
  • #1 SAKURA FLAVOR (8-1): Major Player. Barn has been sending out runners. May be able find the right setup.
  • #9 INFINITY DREAM (8-1): Major Player. Likely to win the battle if challenged in the stretch. May be getting a weaker field than last out.

Selections: 10 – 2 – 1 – 9

The Plays

Win: #10 at 5-1

Trifecta: 10/2,1/1,2,9

Del Mar Picks – Race 2

Post Time: 12:00 PM PT; Claiming $18k; 5 1/2 F Dirt; Field of 6 runners.

  • #3 WHATS THE BUZZ (1-1): Top pick. Odds suggest this one is ready to fire on debut. Race sets up perfectly.
  • #6 MAJESTIC PALISADES (7-5): Major Player. Top connections on the circuit with Aguilar and Barocio.
  • #4 LUCKY’S LOADED (12-1): Fringe Contender. Not likely to be short in the stretch. This one’s a fighter in the late stages.
  • #5 ONE BIG SMILE (12-1): Fringe Contender. Competitive enough in recent efforts. Race shape gives this one an edge.

Selections: 3 – 6 – 4 – 5

The Plays

Win: #3 at 6-5

Exacta: 3/6,4

Del Mar Picks – Race 3

Post Time: 12:30 PM PT; Maiden Special Weight $60k; 1 M Turf; Field of 13 runners.

  • #4 LILO LIL (12-1): Top pick. Favorable class relief in this spot. Proven competitor at this configuration.
  • #9 RAMAYANA (7-2): Major Player. Trainer is having a great meet. Demonstrated success under similar conditions.
  • #8 CHERRY CIDER (4-1): Major Player. Should find today’s group a bit softer than the last race. May be able find the right setup.
  • #5 SURFIN’ U. S. A. (5-1): Major Player. Trainer’s horses have been running. Expect this one to be able to carry the distance.

Selections: 4 – 9 – 8 – 5

The Plays

Win: #4 at 5-1

Trifecta: 4/9,8/5,8,9

Del Mar Picks – Race 4

Post Time: 1:02 PM PT; Maiden Claiming $20k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 8 runners.

  • #4 SEATTLE SURF (4-1): Top pick. Barn has been solid. Demuro puts this one in with a chance.
  • #3 DIRTY WORDS (3-1): Major Player. Speed figures match this group well.
  • #1 UNCLE EVCO (7-2): Major Player. Previous success in similar race types. Potential to have this pace fall just right.
  • #6 GRINNELL (5-2): Major Player. Fast enough on paper to compete. Trainer’s horses have been running.

Selections: 4 – 3 – 1 – 6

The Plays

Win: #4 at 4-1

Trifecta: 4/3,1/1,3,6

Del Mar Picks – Race 5

Post Time: 1:32 PM PT; Seabiscuit Handicap $200k; 1 1/16 M Turf; Field of 9 runners.

  • #9 STAY HOT (5-2): Top pick. Comes in with solid form. Solid closing kick.
  • #8 CABO SPIRIT (5-1): Major Player. Should still be running strong in the closing stages. Comes home strong.
  • #5 EL POTENTE (7-2): Major Player. Berrios puts this one in with a chance. Barn has been sending out runners.
  • #6 ASTRONOMER (10-1): Contender. Could be ready to hit a peak performance. Shouldn’t be disadvantaged by the flow of the race.

Selections: 9 – 8 – 5 – 6

The Plays

Win: #9 at 5-2

Trifecta: 9/8,5/5,6,8

Del Mar Picks – Race 6

Post Time: 2:02 PM PT; Maiden Special Weight $60k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 8 runners.

  • #8 TATE BATZ (5-2): Top pick. Proven competitor at this configuration. Fresu puts this one in with a chance.
  • #5 A GREAT SHAKING (3-1): Major Player. Trainer is having a great meet.
  • #1 DOTTIE HINSON (6-1): Major Player. Should find today’s group a bit softer than the last race. Previous success in similar race types.
  • #3 VIOLETS SONG (4-1): Contender. Recent races are solid. Race conditions fit this one well.

Selections: 8 – 5 – 1 – 3

The Plays

Win: #8 at 5-2

Exacta: 8/5,1

Del Mar Picks – Race 7

Post Time: 2:32 PM PT; Jimmy Durante Stakes $100k; 1 M Turf; Field of 11 runners.

  • #3 BOURBON AND GINGER (20-1): Top pick. Race may setup for this runner.
  • #4 JUST ALOOF (6-1): Major Player. Productive recent form. Looks to get a bit easier group here.
  • #6 SWEET LITTLE LILA (8-1): Major Player. Potentially ready to hit a top number. May be able find the right setup.
  • #9 HYPERGAMY (7-2): Major Player. Trainer’s horses have been running. Can compete from a speed figure standpoint.

Selections: 3 – 4 – 6 – 9

The Plays

Win: #3 at 5-1

Trifecta: 3/4,6/4,6,9

Del Mar Picks – Race 8

Post Time: 3:02 PM PT; Maiden Special Weight $60k; 5 1/2 F Dirt; Field of 8 runners.

  • #7 JOKER WENT WILD (7-2): Top pick. Barn has been solid. Proven competitor at this configuration.
  • #8 MOONSHINER (3-1): Major Player. Running well of late.
  • #6 PARNELLI JONES (5-1): Contender. Pedigree fits in this spot. Should find today’s group a bit softer than the last race.
  • #4 MONSIEUR BIG (6-1): Fringe Contender. Trainer’s horses have been running. May be getting a weaker field than last out.

Selections: 7 – 8 – 6 – 4

The Plays

Win: #7 at 7-2

Exacta: 7/8,6

Pick 3 (races 8-10): #7,8,6 with #3 with #10,7

Del Mar Picks – Race 9

Post Time: 3:32 PM PT; Hollywood Derby $300k; 1 1/8 M Turf; Field of 9 runners.

Best Bet of the Card

  • #3 TEST SCORE (5-2): Best bet of the card. Comes in with solid form. Barn has been solid. Bet today’s best bet with industry-leading rebates on BetOnline.
  • #4 SALAMIS (9-2): Fringe Contender. Can run with these.
  • #9 TOM’S MAGIC (7-2): Fringe Contender. Hard to argue with the recent races. Previous success in similar race types.
  • #8 TEMPUS VOLAT (5-1): Fringe Contender. Trainer’s horses have been running. Race conditions fit this one well.

Selections: 3 – 4 – 9 – 8

The Plays

Win: #3 at 1-1

Exacta: 3/4,9

Del Mar Picks – Race 10

Post Time: 4:02 PM PT; Allowance Optional Claiming $61k; 7 F Dirt; Field of 11 runners.

Longshot Play of the Day

Longshot Play of the Day

  • #10 COMEDY TOWN (5-1): Longshot play of the day. Strong early pace figs. Proven competitor at this configuration. Bet today’s live longshot on MyBookie.
  • #7 MADAKET ROAD (8-5): Major Player. Trainer is having a great meet. Good race flow for this runner.
  • #6 WAYNE THE BRAIN (12-1): Contender. May be able find the right setup. This one’s a fighter in the late stages.
  • #5 TESSUTO (8-1): Contender. Race conditions fit this one well. Expect this one to be able to carry the distance.

Selections: 10 – 7 – 6 – 5

The Plays

Win: #10 at 5-1

Exacta Box: 10,7,6

Del Mar Picks – Race 11

Post Time: 4:32 PM PT; Allowance Optional Claiming $61k; 1 M Turf; Field of 14 runners.

  • #7 ONE OF THESE DAYS (8-1): Top pick. Love the heart this one shows in a fight. Fits well with this group.
  • #8 BIG BET JAFINSAFA (30-1): Major Player. Speed figures match this group well.
  • #12 HOTROCKET (5-1): Major Player. Has experience at this level. Should sit a good trip.
  • #3 WE CAN (30-1): Major Player. Potential to get the pace of the race flow. Fast enough on paper to compete.

Selections: 7 – 8 – 12 – 3

The Plays

Win: #7 at 8-1

Trifecta: 7/8,12/3,8,12

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