Del Mar closes its 2026 summer meet Monday with one last juvenile stakes test, and the horse with the clearest local momentum is Net Par.
The $100,000 I’m Smokin Stakes is a six furlong sprint for California bred 2 year olds. Seven runners are entered, with Net Par listed at 8 to 5 on the morning line and Early Encore at 9 to 5.
Why Net Par is the horse to catch
Net Par has already won twice at Del Mar this summer. He broke his maiden by 7 3/4 lengths, then showed a different dimension when he came from off the pace to win the Graduation Stakes by a nose. That versatility is the main reason he enters the I’m Smokin as the morning line favorite.
Trainer Antonio Garcia keeps Juan Hernandez aboard. The pair will break from post 6, directly inside Early Encore in post 7.
The field and the pace question
The field of seven is Little King, Prime Splash, Cupid Cowboy, Fumano’s Fire, Empire of Ash, Net Par and Early Encore. Fumano’s Fire is expected to bring speed, which could give the race a more honest early tempo and create opportunities for runners who can settle just behind the first flight.
Cupid Cowboy is another recent Del Mar maiden winner, while Little King was only a neck behind him in that race. That gives the supporting cast enough recent form to make this more than a contest between two horses on paper.
When the I’m Smokin runs
The I’m Smokin is Race 6 on Del Mar’s closing day program, with an approximate post time of 4 p.m. local time. First post for the card of 11 races is 1:30 p.m.
For the other major race on the card, see our John C. Mabee Stakes preview. You can also follow the broader championship picture in the OTB Bet Race Center.
Featured photo: Taylor Sondgeroth via Unsplash.
