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Still no TV riches for Del Mar

By: JEFF NAHILL - Staff Writer | Monday, July 16, 2007 11:27 PM PDT ∞

After Belmont Stakes winner Rags to Riches was ruled out of Saturday's Coaching Club American Oaks at Belmont Park on Monday, common thought was ESPN would revive its previously canceled broadcast of Del Mar's Grade II San Diego Handicap.

ESPN called, but only to confirm to Del Mar officials that its plans haven't changed.

"They just couldn't react fast enough," said Craig Dado, Del Mar's vice president for marketing. "I guess it serves them right. I think that's what they call karma."

Trainer Todd Pletcher announced his prized 3-year-old filly had spiked a fever and wouldn't run on Saturday. Instead, Rags to Riches will be pointed for the Grade I Alabama at Saratoga Springs, N.Y., on Aug. 18.

"Her temperature was 101 degrees, which is not high, but a little beyond the normal range," Pletcher told New York Racing Association officials. "We galloped her (Monday) morning. We are going to take the conservative approach. She hasn't quite seemed herself the last couple of days. We won't breeze her without her being 100 percent.

"Our plan is now to point for the Alabama and the Breeders' Cup. There are too many big races out there. If we were going to miss one race, this is the one to miss. But I am disappointed that we didn't get to run her back because a lot of people were looking forward to seeing her again at Belmont Park."

ESPN2 will broadcast the CCA Oaks from 2-3 p.m.

-- Contact staff writer Jeff Nahill at (760) 740-3550 or nctnahill@aol.com.