Debuting at Del Mar – Loving the 2-Year-Olds
It might sound strange to say that this is one of my favorite horse racing weeks of the year. After all we are far removed from the Triple Crown, and the Breeders' Cup is still months away, but when you consider the opening of two of America's finest meets this week, you can understand my excitement. Yes, there is nothing quite like racing at Del Mar and Saratoga. Two high quality meets in the heart of summer, at beautiful locations, and on opposite sides of the country. It doesn't matter which you prefer, they are both highlights of the calendar year. To further celebrate the opening of both, I have decided to reflect on one of the many exciting aspects of each meet ... All those wonderful juveniles.
It's no accident that so many well thought of young horses make their career debuts where the Turf Meets the Surf, or at The Spa. Horsemen want to run, win, and make a splash at either Del Mar or Saratoga. They are racing's places to be seen. Wouldn't you want to win a race at one of these meccas? Sure you would, and so does virtually everyone involved in the sport. Many of these promising youngsters debut at the beginning of the respective meets, to ready themselves for attempts at the big stakes later in the meets. Horses beginning their career in the next week or two may soon be winners of prestigious races like the Hopeful or Del Mar Futurity, or the Spinaway or Del Mar Debutante. Or maybe they will go on to much more.
Since Del Mar opens first, on Wednesday, I will start on the west coast. Let's take a look at my favorite horses that made their career debuts at beautiful Del Mar:
| Year | Horse | Claim to Fame |
| 1982 | Roving Boy | Champion 2yo 1982 |
| 1983 | Life's Magic (f) | 2-time Champion 1984 & 1985 |
| 1985 | Ferdinand | Horse of the Year 1987 |
| 1986 | Capote | Champion 2yo 1986 |
| 1989 | Tight Spot | Turf Champion 1991 |
| 1989 | Itsallgreektome | Turf Champion 1990 |
| 1989 | Pleasant Tap | Champion Older Horse 1992 |
| 1991 | A.P. Indy | Hall of Fame |
| 1991 | Pleasant Stage (f) | Champion 2yo filly 1991 |
| 1991 | Bertrando | Champion Older Horse 1993 |
| 1992 | Eliza (f) | Champion 2yo filly 1992 |
| 1996 | Free House | 2-time Cal HOY 1997 & 1998 |
| 1996 | Silver Charm | Hall of Fame |
| 1999 | Anees | Champion 2yo 1999 |
| 2000 | Point Given | Hall of Fame |
| 2001 | Farda Amiga (f) | Champion 3yo filly 2002 |
| 2002 | Vindication | Champion 2yo 2002 |
| 2003 | Halfbridled (f) | Champion 2yo filly 2003 |
| 2003 | Action This Day | Champion 2yo 2003 |
| 2004 | Sweet Catomine (f) | Champion 2yo filly 2004 |
| 2004 | Declan's Moon | Champion 2yo 2004 |
| 2005 | Midnight Lute | Sprint Champion 2007 |
| 2008 | Stardom Bound (f) | Champion 2yo filly 2008 |
| 2008 | Midshipman | Champion 2yo 2008 |
As you can see, the last thirty years have been an embarrassment of riches for horses that have begun their career Where the Turf Meets the Surf. From the great Ferdinand, to the fantastic rivals of the early ‘90’s, A.P. Indy and Pleasant Tap, Del Mar has proven to be a track where you need to keep an extra close eye on the first time starters.
In 1996, Del Mar patrons were lucky enough to see the first starts of two future superstars and Triple Crown combatants, in Bob Baffert’s Silver Charm and his top adversary, Free House. In 2000, another Baffert great, Point Given, was unveiled to the surfside fans, and in 2005, it was Midnight Lute debuting at Del Mar for the Hall of Fame trainer.
In recent years, Del Mar has been the place for juvenile champions to get their careers rolling, with a sweep of both the male and female Eclipse Awards in 2003, 2004, and 2008. Which currently unraced juveniles will kick-off their excellent careers with a debut at Del Mar? Better stay tuned!