Del Mar Gears Up for 85th Summer Racing Season

On the back of a 2023 racing calendar which saw no racing fatalities, the 2024 summer season at Del Mar will feature among the nation's highest prize money as well as a 'robust' lineup of trackside events, the club announced Monday.

Marking a historic shift, opening day will be held on a Saturday–July 20–for the first time since the 1950s due to a scheduling adjustment with the San Diego County Fair running through July 7. Tickets for opening weekend and the summer racing season will go on sale Friday, May 10 at 10:00am. General admission will be limited and tickets are anticipated to sell out.

Del Mar will run their summer season through Sunday, Sept. 8 and the marquee contest, the GI FanDuel Pacific Classic–a Win and You're In for the Classic which will be contest over the same oval, will go Saturday, Aug. 31.

For tickets and information on the special events for the 2024 summer season, please visit their website.

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Breeders’ Cup Releases 2024 Challenge Series Schedule

The 2024 Breeders' Cup Challenge Series: Win and You're In will consist of 82 races in 12 countries and host track Del Mar will run six on a schedule with several new additions, the organization announced via release Monday.

In its 18th year, the Win and You're In (WAYI) program gives each winner an automatic qualifying position with fees paid into the corresponding race at the 2024 World Championships. In addition to the domestic schedule, forty-one international races will be held at premier tracks in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, England, France, Ireland, Japan, Peru, South Africa, and South Korea.

Newly included races this season are the G3 Korea Cup (WAYI for the GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile) and G3 Korea Sprint (WAYI for the GI Breeders' Cup Sprint), both run Sept. 8 at Seoul Racecourse. England picked up three additional races as well–the G3 Acomb S., G3 William Hill Prestige S., and the QIPCO British Champions Fillies and Mares S. They will offer berths into the GI Juvenile Turf, GI Juvenile Fillies Turf, and GI Filly & Mare Turf, respectively.

Domestically, the GIII City of Hope Mile at Santa Anita Park will offer an automatic berth into the GI FanDuel Breeders' Cup Mile for the first time. The 2024 series in the U.S. will again feature a regional qualifying program to balance divisional competition. In 10 of the 14 race divisions, there will be one Challenge Series race per region, identified as East, Midwest, and West. The Breeders' Cup also announced that it would promote these regional rivalries on the road to the World Championships. All North American races must be graded to be included.

Of the eight berths awarded for the GI Longines Breeders' Cup Classic, one has already been claimed by G1 February S. victor G1SW-Jpn Peptide Nile (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}) in Japan Feb. 19.

Purse increases for the 2024 Championships raised the Classic to a $7-million purse while the GI Longines Breeders' Cup Turf will reward $5-million.

As part of the benefits, $5,485,000 has been allocated for free entry fees as well as a $10,000 travel allowance for all starters within North America that are stabled outside of California. A $40,000 travel allowance to the connections of all Championship will be awarded to starters based outside of North America. If not already, the Challenge winner must be nominated to the Breeders' Cup program by the pre-entry deadline of Oct. 21 to receive the rewards. The Breeders' Cup will pay the entry fees and guarantee a starting position in a corresponding Championships race for all Challenge Series race winners.

A full schedule of the Win and You're In Races, as well as a list of the race winners, may be found here.

“We take great pride in seeing horsemen from around the world capitalize on the advantages provided by the Challenge Series, the premier route to securing a starting position in the World Championships,” said Dora Delgado, Executive Vice President and Chief Racing Officer of Breeders' Cup Limited.

“Our heartfelt appreciation goes out to the racing jurisdictions across five continents for their invaluable support and administration of this year's series. We encourage all horsemen to target the Challenge Series en route to the Breeders' Cup World Championships at Del Mar.”

The Challenge Series will also make a return to the television screen as NBC, FOX, and CNBC will feature five live programs in the U.S. this summer and autumn. Coverage on NBC and CNBC will be simulcast on Peacock, NBCSports.com, and the NBC Sports app. Coverage of the 2024 Challenge Series features two NBC broadcasts, two FOX broadcasts, and one CNBC program.

A complete television schedule can be viewed here.

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Peptide Nile Earns Breeders’ Cup Berth With February Surprise

With the cream of the Japanese dirt crop readying for next weekend's G1 Saudi Cup, Sunday's G1 February S. presented a golden opportunity for gallopers perhaps just a cut below the very best to shine, with a trip to the GI Breeders' Cup Classic on the line. When the dust had settled, the majority of the market leaders faltered and it was the unheralded Peptide Nile (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}) that proved the chief beneficiary at boxcar odds.

Away cleanly from stall nine, Peptide Nile raced prominently through the early stages as the hulking Don Frankie (Jpn) (Daiwa Major {Jpn})–a son of dual Grade I-winning juvenile filly Weemissfrankie (Sunriver)–led from 29-10 second favorite Wilson Tesoro (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}). Tracking four wide on the turn while traveling well within himself, Peptide Nile was held together into the long straight and went up to challenge Don Frankie for the lead about five off the inside with a bit more than 200 metres to travel. Wilson Tesoro was still plugging away between the two of them, but Peptide Nile proved not for catching from there and scored comfortably in the finish. Gaia Force (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}) ran home gamely for second in his first go on the dirt, while Sekifu (Jpn) (Henny Hughes) came from well back to win a photo for third. Wilson Tesoro faded to eighth, while the unexposed Omega Guiness (Jpn) (Logotype {Jpn}) beat just two home as the 21-10 chalk.

“The pace was tough, but he ran a great race,” said jockey Yusuke Fujioka, winning his second Group 1 on the JRA. “We were able to sit in a better position than expected, but I didn't imagine he would take over the lead that early and that easily. The wire seemed very far today. His last start didn't turn out as hoped, but as long as he's able to run in good rhythm as he did today, I'm sure we can look forward to solid performances in the future.”

Pedigree Notes:

A member of the third-last crop of the outstanding King Kamehameha, Peptide Nile is one of 100 of his black-type winners and became the 68th to strike at group level. He is a 15th elite-level winner for King Kamehameha and fourth of those on the dirt, joining Hokko Tarumae (Jpn), Chuwa Wizard (Jpn) and Jun Light Bolt (Jpn).

Queen Olive has a 3-year-old filly by King Kamehameha's G1 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby)-winning son Rey de Oro (Jpn) and a yearling colt by top dirt sire Sinister Minister. She is due to Drefong this term.

Sunday, Tokyo, Japan
FEBRUARY S.-G1, ¥233,160,000, Tokyo, 2-18, 4yo/up, 1600m, 1:35.70, ft.
1–PEPTIDE NILE (JPN), 128, h, 6, by King Kamehameha (Jpn)
1st Dam: Queen Olive (Jpn), by Manhattan Cafe (Jpn)
2nd Dam: Olive Branch (Jpn), by Machiavellian
3rd Dam: Sopranino, by Theatrical (Ire)
1ST GROUP WIN, 1ST GROUP 1 WIN. O-Kazuhiko Numakawa; B-Kineusu Farm; T-Hidenori Take; J-Yusuke Fujioka; ¥123,612,000. Lifetime Record: 20-8-1-1, ¥262,596,000. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Gaia Force (Jpn), 128, h, 5, Kitasan Black (Jpn)–Natale (Jpn), by Kurofune. 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK-TYPE. (¥30,000,000 Wlg '19 JRHAJUL). O-KR Japan; B-Oiwake Farm; T-Haruki Saugiyama; J-Yoshihito Nagaoka; ¥49,032,000.
3–Sekifu (Jpn), 128, h, 5, Henny Hughes–Siyabona, by Kingmambo. 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK-TYPE. O-Akira Nakatsuji; B-Bamboo Farm; T-Koshiro Take; J-Yutaka Take; ¥30,516,000.
Margins: 1 1/4, NK, NO. Odds: 37.00, 12.00, 47.20.
Also Ran: Tagano Beauty (Jpn), King's Sword (Jpn), Red le Zele (Jpn), Mick Fire (Jpn), Wilson Tesoro (Jpn), Don Frankie (Jpn), Alpha Mom (Jpn), Igniter (Jpn), Dura Erede (Jpn), Speedy Kick (Jpn), Omega Guiness (Jpn), Karate (Jpn), Champagne Color (Jpn). Click for the JRA chart.

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Good Magic’s ‘Rising Star’ Muth Tops Baffert Exacta in American Pharoah

Zedan Racing Stable's 'TDN Rising Star' Muth (c, 2, Good Magic–Hoppa, by Uncle Mo), second as the heavy favorite after pressing a blistering pace in the GIII Best Pal S. Aug. 13, showed a new dimension by coming off the pace while making his two-turn debut in style in Saturday's 'Win and You're In' GI American Pharoah S. at Santa Anita. It was 3 3/4 lengths back to his Bob Baffert-trained stablemate Wine Me Up (Vino Rosso) in second. Be You (Curlin) was third.

Muth becomes a record-extending 12th American Pharoah winner for Baffert. He's captured five out of the past six runnings of the race named in honor of his 2015 Triple Crown winner.

“I love the way Muth settled,” Baffert said. “When I saw that I thought, 'well, we'll see how good he is,' and I think (jockey) Juan (Hernandez) just helped him a lot today. It is nice when you have two nice colts. (Wine Me Up) definitely earned his way into the Breeders' Cup. We still have (Best Pal and GI Del Mar Futurity winner) Prince of Monaco (Speightstown), too. We just have to keep them healthy.”

The 2-5 favorite, purchased by Amr Zedan for a sale-topping $2 million earlier this year at OBS March, rated kindly in an inside fourth as his aforementioned stablemate led through fractions of :23.30 and :46.49. Muth was ridden to take on Wine Me Up approaching the quarter pole, took over with authority in the stretch and drew clear late to win for fun.

Muth romped by 8 3/4 lengths in front-running fashion on debut at Santa Anita June 18 prior to finishing 4 1/4 lengths adrift stablemate Prince of Monaco in the six-furlong Best Pal at Del Mar.

“He surprised me the way he relaxed today because he is normally a really aggressive horse,” Hernandez said. “Out of the gate he's fast. Bob and his team have been working with him trying to get him to relax.”

He added, “I think this is the best horse I've ever ridden so far, I mean Cave Rock was one of the best, but this one is pretty close. Hopefully we can stay healthy and we can get him in the Breeders' Cup.”

Pedigree Notes:

Muth becomes the third winner at the top level and eighth graded stakes winner overall for his young sire Good Magic, who is also the sire of this year's GI Kentucky Derby winner Mage. Broodmare sire Uncle Mo is now responsible for eight graded winners, including GISW and leading GI Breeders' Cup Classic contender Geaux Rocket Ride (Candy Ride {Arg}).

The first foal out of the winning Don Alberto homebred Hoppa (Uncle Mo), Muth brought $190,000 from the Gladwell family's pinhooking partnership out of the Hill 'n' Dale Sales Agency consignment on day seven of last year's Keeneland September sale. Muth was the buzz horse of OBS March after delivering a :9 3/5 bullet breeze and a sensational gallop out for Top Line Sales during the under-tack show.

As profiled by Steve Sherack in our special American Pharoah Preview Edition, Zedan also purchased fellow GISWs 'TDN Rising Star' Arabian Knight (Uncle Mo) ($2.3 million OBS April) and 'TDN Rising Star' Princess Noor (Not This Time) ($1.35 million OBS April) off of Top Line Sales at 2-year-old sales in Ocala.

Muth's breeder Don Alberto purchased Handoverthecat (Tale of the Cat), with Hoppa in utero, for $170,000 at the 2015 Keeneland November sale. Hoppa's yearling filly by Violence was purchased by Rigney Racing for $385,000 at Keeneland September. Hoppa was bred back to Good Magic after producing a filly by Tacitus this year.

Saturday, Santa Anita Park
AMERICAN PHAROAH S.-GI, $301,500, Santa Anita, 10-7, 2yo, 1 1/16m, 1:42.45, ft.
1–MUTH, 122, c, 2, by Good Magic
                1st Dam: Hoppa, by Uncle Mo
                2nd Dam: Handoverthecat, by Tale of the Cat
                3rd Dam: Frayne, by Red Ransom
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN, 1ST GRADE I WIN. 'TDN Rising Star'. ($190,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP; $2,000,000 2yo '23 OBSMAR). O-Zedan Racing Stables, Inc.; B-Don Alberto Corporation (KY); T-Bob Baffert; J-Juan J. Hernandez. $180,000. Lifetime Record: 3-2-1-0, $256,600. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Wine Me Up, 122, c, 2, Vino Rosso–Deanaallen'skitten, by Kitten's Joy. 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE, 1ST G1 BLACK TYPE. ($115,000 Wlg '21 KEENOV; $300,000 2yo '23 OBSOPN). O-Michael E. Pegram, Karl Watson and Paul Weitman; B-Kenneth L. Ramsey & Sarah K. Ramsey (KY); T-Bob Baffert. $60,000.
3–Be You, 122, c, 2, Curlin–Jacaranda, by Congrats. 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE, 1ST G1 BLACK TYPE. ($320,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP). O-Repole Stable; B-Alpha Delta Stables, LLC (KY); T-Todd A. Pletcher. $36,000.
Margins: 3 3/4, 5 1/4, 3 1/4. Odds: 0.40, 9.00, 5.10.
Also Ran: Raging Torrent, Rothschild, Indispensable, Next Level, El Magnifico.
Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs.

VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

 

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