Early Encore won the $100,000 I’m Smokin Stakes on Monday, September 7, giving Del Mar a confirmed juvenile stakes result on the final day of the 2026 summer meet.
The 2 year old colt finished first over Net Par in the six furlong dirt sprint, stopping the clock in 1:11.32 on a fast track. Cupid Cowboy finished third, followed by Empire of Ash.
Early Encore returned $3.80 for a $2 win wager. Net Par, who entered the race seeking a third victory at the meet, settled for second after winning both a maiden race and the Graduation Stakes earlier in the summer.
A useful closing day result
The I’m Smokin was the final juvenile stakes race of the Del Mar summer season. That gives the result added relevance as trainers begin mapping fall plans for California based 2 year olds.
For readers who followed the race before post time, the result completes the story from the OTB Bet I’m Smokin Stakes preview. The race also adds another piece to a closing weekend that included Hughes in the Del Mar Futurity and Miss Monica in the Del Mar Debutante.
Del Mar racing resumes with the Bing Crosby season in November. Until then, the West Coast focus shifts toward Santa Anita and the major fall championship path.
Primary reporting source: Del Mar Thoroughbred Club official results. Editorial image: Cauã Cardoso via Unsplash, used under the Unsplash License.
