The Del Mar Thoroughbred Club already has one losing ticket and its 43-day meet hasn't started yet.

ESPN officials have announced that they are dropping live coverage of the July 21 Grade II San Diego Handicap, a prep for the Grade I Pacific Classic, in favor of showing Belmont Stakes winner Rags to Riches in the Grade I Coaching Club American Oaks on the same day.

"Obviously, we're disappointed because the San Diego is such a good race," Del Mar president Joe Harper said Monday, "but we don't make those decisions. They've got the keys to the TV station.

"I started out in television, so I know these decisions are made for different reasons and not the quality of our product. I'm not going to get too upset. Just disappointed."

Among those being considered for the 1 1/16th-mile, $300,000 San Diego are San Fernando Stakes winner Awesome Gem, owned by West Point Thoroughbreds, Californian Stakes winner Buzzards Bay, Sun Boat, who finished second to Buzzards Bay in the Californian, and Lone Star Park Handicap winner Bob and John, trained by Bob Baffert.

The Grade I CCA Oaks was to be shown on a tape-delayed basis during the broadcast of the San Diego from 4-5 p.m. on ESPN2. Now, the CCA will be shown live from Belmont Park in New York from 2-3 p.m. with no live coverage of the San Diego.

"Rags to Riches is a story," David Miller, the senior coordinating producer for horse racing at ESPN told the Daily Racing Form. "She was a huge story in the Belmont, being the first filly to win in 102 years. We want to document it and be the source of record for the sport."

There is no word whether Rags to Riches' future schedule will influence other decisions by ESPN.

ESPN is scheduled to broadcast the Pacific Classic on Aug. 19.

Trainer Todd Pletcher hasn't announced what race Rags to Riches will be pointed to after the CCA Oaks. He has mentioned two races from Saratoga Springs, N.Y. -- the Aug. 18 Alabama or the Aug. 25 Travers. The Travers, which would be against the boys, including Kentucky Derby winner Street Sense and Preakness Stakes winner Curlin, is already set for national television. There is no coverage planned for the Alabama, which like the CCA Oaks is for 3-year-old fillies only.

In other news from Del Mar, Harper said an additional layer of wax and fiber has been added to the new Polytrack main track.

"It's a lot tighter than it was before," Harper said. "Everyone concerned seems happy, and if they are happy, then I'm happy."

Harper said the main track will open Thursday morning for horses, a day later than normal.

"We just didn't have enough days to get into the main track after the fair closed this year," said Harper.

Del Mar's meet will open on July 18.

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