Del Mar Handicap

Del Mar Handicap
Grade II race
LocationDel Mar Racetrack
Del Mar, California, United States
Inaugurated1937
Race typeThoroughbredFlat racing
Race information
Distance1+38 miles (11 furlongs)
SurfaceTurf
TrackLeft-handed
QualificationThree-year-olds & up
WeightAssigned
PurseUS$250,000 (2015)

The Del Mar Handicap is an American thoroughbred horse race run each year during the third week of August at the Del Mar Racetrack in Del Mar, California. The Grade II race is open to horses, age three and up, willing to race one and three-eighths miles on the Jimmy Durante turf course.

Since inception, the Del Mar Handicap has been contested at various distances:

  • 1+116 miles : 1937–1948
  • 1+18 miles : 1949–1969
  • about 1+14 miles on dirt : 1976–1985
  • 1+38 miles : 1970–1975, 1986–present

The Del Mar Handicap was run in two divisions in 1972.

In 1969, Figonero won the race in a world record time of 1:46.20 for 1+18 miles.