2016 Del Mar Summer Preview
August 1 2015: Beholder with Gary Stevens up wins the Clement L. Hirsch Stakes a Breeders' Cup "Win and You're In" race at Del Mar Race Course in Del Mar CA. Zoe Metz/ESW/CSM
July 15 is the first day of Del Mar's traditional summer meet. I know some horseplayer friends of mine who only wager at Del Mar during the summer. They sit on their hands every day, maybe a bet on the Derby or Classic, until July comes around. That's when they start hanging out at Bing's old place where the surf meets the turf. Going to the Pacific Classic with my father and brother used to be an annual excursion.
My father doesn't get around as well as he used to. But my brother and I still try to make at least one trip down to Bing's haunt. 2016 figures to be an exceptional meet at Del Mar. Here's some of the information for SoCal's most prestigious horse racing meet of the year.
California Chrome returns
The best horse in the world returns to American Racing at Del Mar this summer. Chrome is expected to run in 2 races at Del Mar before the Breeders Cup Classic and then the Pegasus World Championships. Chrome is probable for both the San Diego Handicap and the Pacific Classic. He's only listed as possible for the Breeders Cup. One of the reasons why is because of the Pegasus World Championships. With a purse of $12 million dollars, the Pegasus World Championship is the richest horse race in history. Chrome's connections can be forgiven if they don't want to risk injury by running for a much smaller purse in the Classic.
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