Del Mar News & Announcements
These announcements and Press Releases are updated frequently. For Stable Notes and other race-related news, you can read our Stable News.
Huge Pick Five Carryover of $785,777 at Del Mar Sunday
Saturday, August 18th, 2018 (1 day ago)
Diversionist © Benoit Photo
Horseplayers will have a huge target to shoot at Sunday at Del Mar thanks to a surprising win by the 3-year-old gelding Diversionist Saturday afternoon in the seaside track’s 5th Race....
Strong Business Continues at Del Mar With Record-Breaking Results
Sunday, August 19th, 2018 (1 hour ago)
Overall handle has increased more than 8% after five weeks of racing at Del Mar, with two solid weeks of action still to come.
Track officials welcomed the Friday announcement of the return of Breeders’...
Kevin McFarland "Doubles Up" to Capture $50,000 Pacific Classic Betting Challenge
Saturday, August 18th, 2018 (23 hours ago)Kevin McFarland, from Solana Beach, CA, vaulted to first place on the strength of two daily double payouts on his way to earning $20,000 in prizes in the Pacific Classic Betting Challenge.
David Snyder from...
$25,969,128 Record One-Day Handle Saturday at Del Mar
Saturday, August 18th, 2018 (1 day ago)
Del Mar Paddock © Benoit Photo
Racing fans across the country established a one-day betting record at Del Mar Saturday when they wagered $25,969,128 on the stellar 11-race card highlighted by the $1-million TVG Pacific...
Accelerate Romps By Record 12 1/2 Lengths in Pacific Classic
Saturday, August 18th, 2018 (1 day ago)
Accelerate © Benoit Photo
Winning as jockey Joel Rosario pleased, Hronis Racing’s Accelerate, the 2-5 favorite, romped to an easy victory in the 28th running of the Grade I $1 million Pacific Classic, scoring by...
Del Mar Announced as Host of 2021 Breeders' Cup World Championships
Friday, August 17th, 2018 (2 days ago)
Breeders’ Cup, one of Thoroughbred horse racing’s most prestigious international events, today announced Del Mar racetrack in Del Mar, California as the host site for the 2021 Breeders’ Cup World Championships on Friday, November 5...
Sadler and Accelerate Loom Large in TVG Pacific Classic
Friday, August 17th, 2018 (2 days ago)
John Sadler © Benoit Photo
By GENE WILLIAMS
Is this the year that trainer John Sadler takes home the $1-million TVG Pacific Classic?
He’s won many of Del Mar’s premier stakes races, but it’s the...
Accelerate 8-5 Favorite Vs Seven in $1-Million TVG Pacific Classic
Tuesday, August 14th, 2018 (5 days ago)
Hronis Racing’s Accelerate drew Post 5 Tuesday afternoon and was installed the 8-5 favorite to beat seven rivals Saturday in the 28th running of the $1-million TVG Pacific Classic at Del Mar.
Post positions for...
Solo Pick Six Ticket Sunday at Del Mar Pays $139,474
Sunday, August 12th, 2018 (1 week ago)
A single ticket holder collected $139,474 for his Pick Six bet at Del Mar when his ticket was the only one to correctly select the final six winners on the track’s Sunday program.
The $3,840...
Lava Man - Star Claim, Star Runner, Star Pony & Coach
Friday, August 10th, 2018 (1 week ago)
Lava Man and Corey Nakatani win the 2006 Pacific Classic © Benoit Photo
By Julianna McDowell
Among the thousands in attendance in the first weeks of Del Mar’s 79th summer season was an old, familiar...
Solo Ticket Pays $432,286 Wednesday at Del Mar
Wednesday, August 8th, 2018 (1 week ago)
Pacific Song
There’s a horseplayer somewhere in America who is thinking things are about 1,000% better this evening.
That very good/very lucky investor played a $432 ticket Wednesday afternoon on the Pick Six at Del...
Pick Six Worth $561,865 Friday at Del Mar
Friday, August 3rd, 2018 (2 weeks ago)
Majestic Authority proved a prompt favorite in the nitecap at Del Mar Friday. The 3-year-old filly also was the only favorite in the six-race sequence known as the Pick Six on the seaside card allowing...
A Ward of San Diego and an Aide to Hall of Fame Trainers
Friday, August 3rd, 2018 (2 weeks ago)
Dan Ward, Jr. © Benoit Photo
By Hank Wesch
Every Del Mar summer season is a homecoming for Dan Ward, Jr., the top assistant to Hall of Fame trainer Jerry Hollendorfer.
Ward’s parents, Dan, Sr.,...
Dennis Montoro Goes All-in to Capture $250,000 Del Mar Challenge
Sunday, July 29th, 2018 (2 weeks ago)
Contest Organizer Chris Bahr and Challenge Winner Dennis Montoro © Benoit Photo
Dennis Montoro, 32, from New York, went all-in in the last race with a $7,000 win bet on #2, 5-1 Raven Creek, to...
Justify's Fond Farewell at Del Mar
Saturday, July 28th, 2018 (3 weeks ago)
Justify in the Del Mar Paddock © Benoit Photo
JOCKEY MIKE SMITH – “You know, it’s just a little bit sad. Now it’s real. He’s really going. Understand, I’m happy for him. He’s going to...
In Wake of Roman, A Double Wave of Impact Apprentices
Friday, July 27th, 2018 (3 weeks ago)
Heriberto Figueroa and Asa Espinoza © Benoit Photo
By Hank Wesch
A year ago, 19-year-old Evin Roman was the talk of the Southern California Thoroughbred racing circuit. The native of Puerto Rico and graduate of...
Del Mar Breaks Running With Strong Ups in Handle, Attendance
Sunday, July 22nd, 2018 (4 weeks ago)
Opening Day © Benoit Photo
Del Mar’s 79th summer racing season broke from the gate running with high quality competitive racing that provided gains in handle, field size and attendance.
The seaside oval’s numbers after...
Catapult Upset Winner of Eddie Read Stakes
Sunday, July 22nd, 2018 (4 weeks ago)
Catapult © Benoit Photo
Woodford Racing’s Kentucky-bred Catapult, given a patient ride by Drayden Van Dyke, rallied powerfully in the stretch to overhaul 3-1 favored Sharp Samurai nearing the wire and win the featured Grade...
Espinoza Suffers Fractured Vertebra in Training Spill
Sunday, July 22nd, 2018 (4 weeks ago)
Victor Espinoza © Del Mar Thoroughbred Club
Hall of Fame jockey Victor Espinoza incurred a fracture of the C-3 vertebra in his neck when thrown from his mount Bobby Abu Dhabi, who suffered an apparent...
Martine Bellocq, Heroine of San Luis Rey Fire, Wins Pincay Award; To Be Honored on TVG Pacific Classic Day with Other Fire Heroes
Saturday, July 21st, 2018 (4 weeks ago)
Martine Bellocq
Martine Bellocq, the courageous trainer who went into the fires of hell in an attempt to save her horses last December at San Luis Rey Downs training center, has been selected to be...