Del Mar racing briefs for opening week: Owners given lounge by one Del Mar trainer, TVG, Jim Cassidy...
The largest crowd in Del Mar history of 46,588 turned out Wednesday, July 20, for the opening day card at the seaside oval in Southern California. Attendance exceeded the record set a year ago on opening day when 45,309 were on hand. Total pari-mutuel handle for the opener this year was $13,234,590 compared to the $12,461,600 wagered last year, for an increase of 6.2%. In the day’s feature race, even-money favorite Mr. Commons and jockey Mike Smith rolled to victory in the $112,100 Oceanside Stakes. Outrun in the early stages of the race for 3-year-olds, Mr. Commons, a son of Artie Schiller, circled his rivals on the stretch turn and wasn’t pressured in the final sixteenth as he won by 1 1/2 lengths. Final time for a mile on grass was 1:34.96 (VIDEO). Smith was later arrested on suspicion of DUI during a massive drunk driving "multi-agency" task force traffic net rung around the track during the day resulting in 15 DUI arrests.
OWNERS GIVEN LOUNGE BY ONE DEL MAR TRAINER
The backside area of most racetracks is not normally the most luxurious part of the facility. Barns are primarily utilitarian, the comfort of the horses and not much else involved.
This summer at Del Mar trainer Doug O'Neill is providing a little bit of luxury for the owners of his horses. An 'Owners Lounge' is now available next to O'Neill's office at the track.
"It can get too tight in here," O'Neill assistant Leandro Mora said recently. "Lots of times we have 10 or 15 owners and their kids and families and we built this thing to keep everybody happy."
O'Neill, the defending training champion, converted one stall next to his office for an 'Owners Lounge' with seating and refreshments. Precautions have also been provided for the visitors from the thoroughbred traffic that goes on.
"Especially at Del Mar, we have owners who want to come around the barn," Mora said. "We have plenty of visitors at Santa Anita and Hollywood Park, but we're used to it and we know what to do there. And we get more here than we do anywhere else."
A large painting of Lava Man decorates the converted stall, though not the one that the millionaire gelding used. The picture depicts Lava Man, 2006 Pacific Classic winner, in the company of ONeill's father and the fathers of the three ownership connections of the champion runner.
-- The Sports Network
(Photo: Ron Ellis, Simon Bray, Todd Schrupp, TVG Network at Del Mar.)
TVG TO PRESENT DEL MAR RACING COVERAGE
TVG, America’s Horseracing Network, will be the exclusive broadcast network of the 2011 Del Mar race meet, offering live, on-site coverage beginning opening day, Wednesday, July 20.
In addition to airing all the action from the 37-day meet, TVG will serve as title sponsor of Del Mar’s signature event, the $1 million TVG Pacific Classic (gr. I) Aug. 28 The race also is part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge series, with the winner guaranteed a spot in the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (gr. I).
“Del Mar is home to the best in summer racing and is an unmatched horseracing destination that lends itself to an exciting telecast for our audience,” said Tony Allevato, TVG Executive Vice President.
“TVG’s sponsorship was critical to maintaining the $1 million purse level,” said Josh Rubinstein, Del Mar’s Senior Vice President, Development. “We look forward to partnering with TVG in the years to come.”
Racing will be held Wednesdays through Sundays and on Labor Day. In addition to the TVG Pacific Classic, the meet will feature seven other grade I races – the Eddie Read Stakes, the Bing Crosby Stakes, the Clement L. Hirsch Stakes, the Del Mar Oaks, the Pat O’Brien Stakes, the Del Mar Debutante, and the Del Mar Futurity.
TVG account holders can wager on all Del Mar races at www.TVG.com.
-- Blood-Horse.com
TRAINER JIM CASSIDY READY TO RUMBLE AT DEL MAR OPENING WEEK STAKES RACES
Trainer Jim Cassidy plans to start Oceanside nominee Robbie’s War in an allowance race on turf and Kid Edward in Saturday’s $300,000 Eddie Read Stakes, a Grade 1 over 1 1/8 miles on turf.
The Cassidy team for Del Mar will not feature the multiple Grade 1 winner The Usual Q.T., who is currently turned out, the trainer said. The Usual Q.T. has not started since finishing third in the Grade 2 American Handicap on May 20. “He’s getting 90 days and he’s already gotten 30 days,” Cassidy said.
Kid Edward will be tested in the Eddie Read, which is expected to draw Aggie Engineer, Buenos Dias, Caracortado, Celtic Princess, Jeranimo, Smart Bid, and Victor’s Cry.
Second in the Grade 2 La Jolla Handicap at Del Mar, Kid Edward was second in an optional claimer at Hollywood Park on July 2, his first start since a third in the Grade 2 Oak Tree Derby last October.
Jeranimo has not started since a fourth as the 7-5 favorite in the Grade 2 American Handicap at Hollywood Park in April. Owner B.J. Wright and trainer Mike Pender considered the Hollywood Gold Cup on the synthetic main track on July 9, but opted to wait for the Eddie Read.
“There was no reason to take his favorite surface away from him,” Pender said. “All systems are go.”
Jeranimo won the Grade 2 San Gabriel Handicap over 1 1/8 miles on turf at Santa Anita last December, but is winless in three starts this year. He was third in the Grade 1 Frank Kilroe Mile at Santa Anita in March.
-- Steve Anderson, Daily Racing Form
