Turf Meets the Surf at Old Del Mar Starting July 22

by Patricia Woo | Jul 20 2009

It may be called the dog days of summer to some, but for horseplayers, the opening of Del Mar on July 22 will be more like Christmas morning.

The historic track overlooking the Pacific Ocean opens for its 70th season on Wednesday, a 37-day meeting that runs until September 9.

More than $22 million in purses will be distributed during the meeting, more than $6 million in stakes races.

The marquee event of the meeting is the $1 million Pacific Classic (G1) on Sunday Sept. 6. The race is for older horses and will be a key prep race for the Breeders' Cup Classic.

Among the possible entrants for the Pacific Classic this year include last year's runner up Well Armed, Awesome Gem, and multiple Grade 1 winner Einstein.

Jockey Rafael Bejarano is back to defend the jockey title he won last year, picking up 43 wins from his 220 mounts, outdistancing runner up Joel Rosario, who won 34 races at the meeting.

Tyler Baze, Garrett Gomez, and Joe Talamo rounded out the top five in the jockey standings last summer and all five will do battle again this year.

Trainer John Sadler had an outstanding meeting last year, topping the trainer standings with 30 wins, winning at a 27% clip at the meet.

Mike Mitchell, Jeff Mullins, Doug O'Neill, and Jerry Hollendorfer completed the top five in the trainer standings last year and all will be starting horses again this summer.

Bob Baffert, a Hall of Fame inductee this year and a seven-time winner of the trainer title at Del Mar, will be a factor.

Other Hall of Fame trainers that will make Del Mar their summer home include Jack Van Berg, Ron McAnally, Robert Frankel, Neil Drysdale, and Richard Mandella.

The traditional opening day feature on Wednesday is the $100,000 Oceanside Stakes, a restricted stake for three year olds contested at 1 1/6 miles on the turf course.

This year's running drew a full field of ten along with four also eligibles.

Saturday's feature is the first graded stake of the meeting, the $350,000 Eddie Read Stakes (G1) for three year olds and upward contested at nine furlongs on the turf course.

Three horses that have earned over $1 million and a couple approaching the $1 million mark in earnings are nominated for Saturday’s race.

The top three finishers from the American Handicap (G2) on July 4 at Hollywood Park, Monterey Jazz, Artiste Royal, and Whatthescript, may face off again, along with the likes of millionaires Awesome Gem, Proudinsky, and Becrux.

Eight of this year's stakes at Del Mar are part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge "Win and You're In" series.

A victory in one of the eight "Win and You're In" races earns the winner a starting berth in the corresponding Breeders' Cup race.

The first Breeders' Cup Challenge race is the San Diego Handicap (G2) on Aug. 2, with the winner earning a starting berth in the Breeders' Cup Mile.

Other "Win and You're In" races during the meeting are the Cougar II Handicap (Marathon) on Aug. 5, John C. Mabee Handicap (Filly & Mare Turf) on Aug. 16, Del Mar Mile Handicap (Mile) on Aug. 29, Del Mar Handicap (Turf) on Aug. 30, Rancho Bernardo Handicap (Filly & Mare Sprint) on Sept. 4, and the Pat O'Brien Stakes (Sprint) and Pacific Classic (Classic) on Sept. 6.

Racing at the meet has been reduced from six days a week to five this year, running Wednesday through Sunday. Post time is 2:00 pacific time with the exception of Friday, with a 3:00 first post.

While online players will not be able to take advantage of the scenic views of the beach, the gorgeous women in sundresses, and the atmosphere, we will get to see top-notch racing, full fields, and many of the stars of the game, both equine and human.

Betting the ponies does not get any better.