The San Diego Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually in late July/early August at Del Mar Racetrack in Del Mar, California. This Grade II race is open to horses, age three and up, willing to race one and one-sixteenth miles on the dirt. It is considered the track's key prep race for its foremost attraction, the $1-million Pacific Classic Stakes. Inaugurated in 1937, it was first run on July 3 as part of the first-ever racecard at Del Mar Racetrack. Since inception it has been contested at various distances: 6 furlongs : 1937, 1945, 1946, 1947 1 mile : 1941 miles : 1991-1993 miles : 1938, 1948–1990, 1994–present The race was not run in 1939-1940 and from 1942 through 1944. From 2007 to 2014, the race was run on a Polytrack artificial dirt surface. Records Speed record: (at current distance of miles) 1:40.00 - Windy Sands (1962) 1:40.00 - Native Diver (1965) Most wins: 3 - Native Diver (1963, 1964, 1965) Most wins by a jockey: 6 - Chris McCarron (1993, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1998, 1999) 6 - Victor Espinoza (2002, 2003, 2004, 2013, 2016, 2017) Most wins by a trainer: 5 - Charlie Whittingham (1970, 1971, 1973, 1974, 1989) 5 - Robert J. Frankel (1976, 1982, 1999, 2000, 2001) 5 - John W. Sadler (2003, 2013, 2017, 2018, 2019) Most wins by an owner: 3 - E. O. Stice & Sons (1945, 1948, 1949) 3 - M/M Louis K. Shapiro (1963, 1964, 1965) Winners † In 1976, Mark's Place finished first but was disqualified and set back to last. † In 1969, TripleTux finished first but was disqualified and set back to fourth. References The 2009 San Diego Handicap at the NTRA Del Mar Racetrack Horse races in California Graded stakes races in the United States Open mile category horse races Recurring events established in 1937