Del Mar Summer Meeting
Welcome Back OPPORTUNITIES ABOUND WHERE THE TURF MEETS THE SURF
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But with vaccinations in California doing well and the state reopened, Del Mar is set for a hugely popular summer meet, which begins July 16 and runs through Sept. 6. Trevor Denman will return as Del Mar’s longtime announcer, after taking a break during the pandemic. Stakes purses have increased over last year’s COVID-restricted levels, and California-breds have a full complement of rich stakes opportunities. “Tis is one of the strongest stakes schedules in Del Mar’s history,” said David Jerkens, a Del Mar vice president and the racing secretary. “We have increased purses virtually across the board, and it will be exciting to see the level of quality we attract, especially as we are the home to the Breeders’ Cup this year.” Del Mar hosted the Breeders’ Cup for the frst time in 2017. It was such a rousing success that Breeders’ Cup is returning to the track for 2021. Te rich series will be held Nov. 5-6 at the beginning of the track’s fall meeting. Cal-breds, of course, make up a large part of the felds at Del Mar, and California owners and breeders are looking forward to being able to bring friends and relatives with them this summer. Several of the Golden State stakes will have increased purses. (For details, see page 3.) Tanks to a partnership arrangement
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RON MESAROS
el Mar will be welcoming fans back to the facility this summer after a year without them due to the pandemic. For a racetrack that revels in boisterous fans packing the grandstand, 2020 was eerily quiet.
Long a popular venue for fun in the sun, Del Mar looks forward to returning crowds following the pandemic-related restrictions of 2020
with the Toroughbred Owners of California, FanDuel Group’s TVG, and Te Stronach Group’s 1/ST Racing, Del Mar will be part of a purse enhancement program that is expected to inject up to $15 million into California Toroughbred purses and programs over the next two years. Further, Del Mar’s successful wagering numbers at its 2020 meet, despite the pandemic restrictions, added to the infux of monies going toward the upcoming racing stand. Del Mar has announced a 30% increase to its average daily overnight purses. Also, there will be an overall raise of 33% in its stakes schedule. Del Mar management believes the track will ofer more than $700,000 a day in purses over the course of the summer. Additionally, its popular “Ship and Win” program will double its oferings to horses brought in from out of state. “We’ve got all optimistic signs at Del
CALIFORNIA THOROUGHBRED ❙ July 2021 ❙ www.ctba.com
Mar for our horsemen this year,” said Tom Robbins, executive vice president for racing. “We went through a rough stretch last year because of the virus and the restrictions it required. But we nonetheless managed to do unbelievably well despite it, and now—with help from our racing partners—we’re on track to have one of the most lucrative seasons in Del Mar history.” While the track has announced plans to open at 100% seating capacity, 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. Tickets can be found at www.dmtc.com/tickets. “We are delighted to be able to welcome our fans back to Del Mar,” said Josh Rubinstein, president and COO of Del Mar. “We appreciate their patience as we have all adapted to the changing circumstances over the last 15 months.”
