Del Mar summer meet | Horse Racing Free Tips

Del Mar Purses at Record High for 2022

California's Del Mar Thoroughbred Club is set to deliver purses above $25 million for its 31-day summer meet, with the daily average purse payout of more than $800,000 the highest in the history of California racing. Overnight purses and the value of 21 of the seaside oval's stakes will be raised by a blended rate of 15%.

Among the most prominent races to see increases are the GI Bing Crosby S. and the GI Clement L. Hirsch S., both of which will climb from $300,000 to $400,000. Gross purses for all stakes will rise from $7.45 million to $8.275 million. All five of Del Mar's overnight stakes will be increased from $80,000 to $100,000 and 16 additional stakes will get $25,000 to $100,000 bumps in value.

The increase in overnight purses impacts all levels. For example, a maiden claiming race for $20,000 will have its purse climb from $25,000 to $30,000. The top-level allowance horses see purses elevated from $76,000 to $86,000. A $32,000 claiming race now will go for $51,000 instead of $45,000.

“We've been on a roll of late and based on the feedback we're receiving from local and out-of-state stables, I'm very optimistic our positive trend will continue,” said Del Mar's executive vice president for racing, Tom Robbins. “Last year we averaged a record $18.4 million a day in handle and our field size was 8.5 per race. Those are powerful numbers, not only in the West, but all across the country. We're going to try to increase them this year and I believe we've got a good chance to do so.”

Both the track's popular 12-year-old “Ship & Win” program and maiden bonuses are also enhanced. “Ship & Win”, which annually draws hundreds of out-of-state runners, will give owners and trainers a $5,000 starter bonus and a 50% purse supplement to dirt runners, as well as a $4,000 bonus and a 40% supplement to grass starters. In addition, Del Mar has upped maiden special weight purses from $70,000 to $80,000 and the maiden bonus plan (formerly the juvenile bonus) will be expanded to provide horses of any age in maiden special weight, maiden special weight Cal-Bred, and maiden claiming $62,500 and above on dirt a 25% purse bonus for qualifying stables. This means a horse shipping in to run in a maiden special weight dirt race could compete for a purse of $140,000 when the “Ship & Win” monies (50%, or $40,000) and the maiden bonus plan (25%, or $20,000) are included. On top of that, the horse's connections would be awarded a $5,000 starter fee.

A full stakes schedule for Del Mar's 83rd summer season will be released next week, with the track's premiere event–the $1-million GI TVG Pacific Classic–scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 3. The season will open with a three-day weekend Friday, July 22, and conclude Sept. 11, with racing conducted on a Thursday-Sunday schedule through the bulk of the meet.

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‘Del Mar Was Del Mar Again’: Record Wagering, Return Of Fans Highlight Summer Season

Record wagering and highly competitive, quality racing highlighted Del Mar Thoroughbred Club's eight-week summer race meet which concluded its 31-day stand on Labor Day, Sept. 6, in Del Mar, Calif.

The 82nd summer season at the seaside oval welcomed back racing fans who participated enthusiastically to help set a Del Mar record for daily average wagering of $18.38 million, the highest in the track's long history. Top-of-the-line racing flowed daily with a highly competitive jockey colony and a deeply experienced training corps putting on a show each afternoon that was enhanced by some of the sweetest weather Del Mar has experienced in many seasons.

“Terrific, simply terrific,” said Del Mar CEO Joe Harper. “We had our fans come back this year and we put on a show of shows for them. The racing was first-rate, the wagering was over the moon and Del Mar was Del Mar again in all its glory. Special, very special.”

The handle numbers raced past an impressive 2020 racing season when “stuck at home” horse players went all out and set a record for daily average handle at $17.32 million. The total handle for the 2021 meet was $569.98 million for 31 days of racing. The 2020 total handle – for 27 days of racing – was $467.60 million.

Field size, often a key driver of wagering, improved as well. In 2020, the track had an exceptional 8.36 horses per race, one of the best marks in the country. In 2021 – running four more days this year than last (31 vs. 27) – that number rose to 8.45.

“Our horsemen and horsewomen were excellent in responding to the goals we set out to bolster our Southern California horse population,” said Del Mar executive vice president of racing Tom Robbins. “We substantially increased purses and incentive bonuses and they replied in fine fashion. When you realize that other meets across the country are struggling with horse population, we feel we're fortunate to receive the strong participation form owners and trainers coming. Our core racing product was excellent.”

The track's popular “Ship & Win” program in its 11th season offered its highest engagement bonus at $4,000 in addition to 50% and 40% purse supplements. It attracted 181 horses from across the country – as opposed to 104 in 2020 – with the majority of them owned and trained by Southern Californians.

Racing fans got to see some stellar performances by potential champions across the summer. Old pro United took down the Eddie Read Stakes; Shedaresthedevil sparkled in the Clement L. Hirsch; Princess Grace took the Yellow Ribbon handily; Astronaut, Mo Forza and Going Global bested their competition on the turf course. Tripoli rose to the top in the TVG Pacific Classic. Medina Spirit made his return to racing memorable. Flightline wowed the crowd on closing weekend. Grace Adler and Pinehurst proved to be juvenile stars.

“Another amazing summer in the books”, said Thoroughbred Owners of California, Gary Fenton. “A big thank you to DMTC. After months of planning and hard work they hit a grand slam for us and continue to provide our membership with an incredible racing experience.”

Del Mar will return to action on Wednesday, Nov. 3 for the start of its 15-day Bing Crosby Season which this year will feature the 38th running of the Breeders' Cup Championships on Friday, November 5 and Saturday, November 6.

The post ‘Del Mar Was Del Mar Again’: Record Wagering, Return Of Fans Highlight Summer Season appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Full Seated Capacity for Upcoming Del Mar Meet

California's Del Mar Thoroughbred Club (DMTC) will open its 2021 summer race meet Friday, July 16, with 100% capacity in its seating areas. All attendees must obtain a seating package, which will include admission and parking passes, in advance. Seats will be on sale online Friday, June 18, with a pre-sale available Thursday, June 17. Reserved seating packages will also be available by phone (858-792-4242) beginning Monday, June 21.

Under current California Department of Public Health guidelines, fans will be required to wear masks at Del Mar, except when eating or drinking in designated areas. However, California Governor Gavin Newsom is scheduled to issue revised guidance June 15 and track officials will adjust requirements if necessary.

General admission access will be determined over the next several weeks. The first two weeks of the season will feature Friday-through-Sunday three-day weekends. For the remainder of the meet, racing will be conducted on a Thursday-through-Sunday basis. Del Mar's 82nd season will close Labor Day, Sept. 6.

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Del Mar To Open Summer Meet With 100% Capacity In Seating Areas

Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in Del Mar, Calif., has announced plans to open its 2021 summer race meet with 100% capacity for fans in its seating areas throughout its facility. This decision was made in accordance with state and county public health guidelines effective June 15, 2021.

Del Mar's 82nd racing season will open on Friday, July 16, and run through Labor Day Monday, September 6.

All fans wishing to attend must obtain a seating package in advance of their arrival. Admission tickets and parking passes will be included in the package. The track will put seats on sale online on Friday, June 18 (go to DMTC.com/tickets) with a pre-sale available on Thursday, June 17, for those that sign up at the Del Mar website (DMTC.com/2021).

“We are delighted to be able to welcome our fans back to Del Mar,” said DMTC president and COO Josh Rubinstein. “We appreciate their patience as we have all adapted to the changing circumstances over the last 15 months. We also appreciate the thoughtful guidance and cooperation we have received from the California Department of Public Health, the San Diego County Department of Public Health along with Dr. Ghazala Sharieff, Chief Medical Officer of Scripps Health, and her expert staff.”

Under current California Department of Public Health guidelines, fans will be required to wear masks when visiting Del Mar, except when eating or drinking in designated areas. However, California Gov. Gavin Newsom is scheduled to issue revised guidance on June 15th and track officials will adjust requirements on face coverings based on the new guidelines.

Del Mar will offer seating in its Stretch Run (Grandstand), Clubhouse, Turf Club, Skyrooms, Luxury and Celebrity Suites and its five major restaurants. Total seating at the track is 14,994. Track officials will have more to say about General Admission access over the next several weeks.

“We will continue to monitor public health guidelines and adjust our plans as the state makes additional progress and updates its recommendations,” said Rubinstein.

Besides the sale and pre-sale arrangements online, Del Mar will be offering the purchase of reserved seating packages by phone (858 792-4242) starting on Monday, June 21.

First post daily at the seaside oval will be 2 p.m. on all days except Fridays. Opening Day Friday will have a 2 p.m. post, but then Fridays thereafter will see a 4 p.m. start with the exceptions of the last two Fridays of the meet (August 27 and September 3) when things get started at 3:30 p.m. The first two weeks of the season will feature Friday-through-Sunday three-day weekends. For the remainder of the meet, racing will be conducted on a Thursdays-through-Sunday basis with Closing Day on Labor Day Monday.

The post Del Mar To Open Summer Meet With 100% Capacity In Seating Areas appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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