Proletariat © Benoit Photo

Nine sophs will meet the starter Sunday at the head of Del Mar’s unique infield chute for a nine-furlong go on the Jimmy Durante Turf Course that will be this year’s 82nd edition of the Caesars Sportsbook Del Mar Derby.

The Grade II test that carries a purse of $300,000 is headed by a sleek bay gelding named Proletariat who races in the silks of the partnership of Dutch Girl Holdings and Irving Ventures. He’s conditioned by veteran Jeff Mullins and will be ridden by his regular guy, Kyle Frey, as they start from the No. 1 post in the track’s 3-year-old championship event.

The Derby will be Race 7 on a nine-race card with a post time of approximately 5 p.m.

Proletariat, a son of Raging Bull out of a Kodiac mare, has fired two bullets in his only 2026 outings, capturing an allowance race at Santa Anita at six furlongs on the turf in May, then taking down honors in the Oceanside Stakes at a mile on the lawn at Del Mar on Opening Day. He’s worked three times since locally and will be the one to beat Sunday.

Chief threat to the top one may be Secured Freedom, who races for the partnership of Amestoy, Amestoy Jr. or Beasley. The Practical Joke colt was second to Proletariat in the Oceanside and captured the Affirmed Stakes at Santa Anita prior to that.

Pavlovian goes from the Kentucky Derby to the Del Mar Derby this go round. The Reddam Racing homebred by Pavel will be making his 14th start on Sunday, the most of any horse in the lineup.

First post for the Sunday program is the regular 2 p.m.