Del Mar changes the stakes, slightly

By: JEFF NAHILL - Staff Writer | Sunday, April 8, 2007 8:17 PM PDT ∞

When it comes to its stakes schedule, the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club takes the stance that "if it's not broke, don't fix it."

The 2007 schedule mostly adheres to that philosophy, but there are a few tweaks in the recently released racing calendar.

Del Mar will offer 30 stakes for a record $7.25 million, headed by the $1 million Pacific Classic on Aug. 19. A single-day-record four stakes will be offered that day, which will feature a 1 p.m. first post.

Other stakes to be offered that day will be the Grade II Pat O'Brien Handicap at 7 furlongs, the Grade II Del Mar Breeders' Cup Mile on the Jimmy Durante Turf Course and the $85,000 Viejas Casino Handicap.

"That will be our special Breeders' Cup preview day," said racing secretary Tom Robbins.

The Pacific Classic, Mile and O'Brien will all be part of the new Breeders' Cup "Win and You're In" program. The winners of those three races will automatically receive berths in the Breeders' Cup, which will be held Oct. 27 at Monmouth Park in Oceanport, N.J.

The races will be featured in a nationally televised program by ESPN. Two of the three races will be live during the 4 to 5 p.m. show, with the third shown on tape.

The only major stakes move was the positioning of the John C. Mabee Handicap at 1 1/8 miles on the turf course for older fillies and mares. Traditionally held the first weekend of the meet, the Mabee was moved to Aug. 4. The move was made because Hollywood Park repositioned some of its races.

"That put pressure on us," Robbins said. "I'm not upset. These things happen on occasion, and I was working with Martin Panza of Hollywood Park to do what is best for Southern California.

"The Mabee will no longer be a prep for the Beverly D. at Arlington Park (in Illinois). Now it will be just a week before that race."

The $85,000 Osunitas Stakes restricted race for fillies and mares will replace the Mabee on July 21, the first Saturday of the meet.

The Oceanside Stakes for 3-year-olds at 1 mile on the grass will open the meet on July 18, and the Grade I Del Mar Futurity for 2-year-olds at 7 furlongs on the new Polytrack main track will close the meet on Sept. 5.

In all, Del Mar will offer 17 graded stakes, including seven Grade I events.

Contact staff writer Jeff Nahill at (760) 740-3550 or jnahill@nctimes.com. Comment at sports.nctimes.com.

Original submission from :

2007 Del Mar Stakes Schedule

July 18 Oceanside Stakes

July 20 CTBA Stakes

July 21 Osunitas Stakes

July 21 San Diego Handicap (Grade II)

July 22 Fleet Treat Stakes

July 22 Eddie Read Handicap (Gr. I)

July 25 Graduation Stakes

July 26 Daisycutter Handicap

July 27 Wickerr Handicap

July 28 San Clemente Handicap (Gr. II)

July 29 Bing Crosby Handicap (Gr. I)

Aug. 1 Cougar II Handicap

Aug. 3 California Dreamin Handicap

Aug. 4 John C. Mabee Handicap (Gr. I)

Aug. 5 Clement L. Hirsch Handicap (Gr. II)

Aug. 8 Sorrento Stakes (Gr. III)

Aug. 10 Real Good Deal Stakes

Aug. 11 La Jolla Handicap (Gr. II)

Aug. 12 Best Pal Stakes (Gr. II)

Aug. 15 Green Flash Handicap

Aug. 16 Harry F. Brubaker Handicap

Aug. 17 Rancho Bernardo Handicap (Gr. III)

Aug. 18 Del Mar Oaks (Gr. I)

Aug. 19 Viejas Casino Handicap

Aug. 19 Pat O'Brien Handicap (Gr. II)

Aug. 19 Del Mar Breeders' Cup Mile (Gr. II)

Aug. 19 Pacific Classic (Gr. I)

Aug. 24 CTT and TOC Handicap

Aug. 25 Solana Beach Handicap

Aug. 26 Del Mar Handicap (Gr. II)

Aug. 29 Generous Portion Stakes

Aug. 30 Adoration Handicap

Aug. 31 El Cajon Stakes

Sept. 1 Palomar Breeders' Cup Handicap (Gr. II)

Sept. 2 Torrey Pines Stakes

Sept. 2 Del Mar Derby (Gr. II)

Sept. 3 Windy Sands Handicap

Sept. 3 I'm Smokin' Stakes

Sept. 3 Del Mar Debutante (Gr. I)

Sept. 5 Pirate's Bounty Handicap

Sept. 5 C.E.R.F. Handicap

Sept. 5 Del Mar Futurity (Gr. I)