The Caesars Sportsbook Del Mar Derby is an American thoroughbred horse race run annually during the first week of September at Del Mar Racetrack in Del Mar, California. A Grade II race open to three-year-old horses, it is contested on turf over a distance of one and one-eighth miles (9 furlongs).
Inaugurated in 1945 as the Quigley Memorial Handicap at a distance of miles on dirt, it was renamed in 1948, modified to its present distance in 1950, and moved to turf in 1970. It was raced in two divisions in 1963, in 1970, and again in 2013. In 2013, 24 sophomores passed the entry box so the race had to be split into two divisions.
In 1968 there was a dead heat for the win.
In 2021, the race was presented for the first time by Caesars Sportsbook.
Records
Speed record: (on turf at miles) 1:45.85 – Willow O Wisp (2005)
Most wins by an owner: 3 – Howard B. Keck (1960, 1962, 1966) 3 – (Glen Hill Farm) (1973, 1979, 2011)
Most wins by a jockey: 5 – Laffit Pincay Jr. (1979, 1980, 1982, 1990, 1994) 5 – Eddie Delahoussaye (1984, 1986, 1987, 1992, 2000)
Most wins by a trainer: 4 – Julio C. Canani (1988, 1998, 1999, 2004)
Winners
* † In 1990, Tight Spot finished first, but was disqualified and set back to tenth place. That ruling was contested and later was overturned by the California Horse Racing Board and his victory reinstated.