Del Mar news: Summer meet 'everything you could ask for'
Del Mar Racing Secretary David Jerkens had thanks Monday morning to the horsemen and his office staff for a meeting that was successful by any measure.
While the number won’t be finalized until after the last race is run, Jerkens projected average field size to be 8.7 or 8.8, up a tick from the 8.6 of the 2017 summer season.
“I believe we’ll be up around 50 starters from a year ago,” Jerkens said. “I’m pleased with that and with the racing product we’ve been able to put out there every day.
“It’s been a good meet in terms of safety. Credit to Dennis Moore (Director of Track Maintenance) and Leif Dickinson (Turf Course/Grounds Superintendent) the track surfaces have performed well, both turf and dirt.
“The owners and horsemen have supported Del Mar every day through the entry box and enabled us to put out the best program we can every day for the players and fans.
“In terms of quality and field size, the meet was pretty much everything you could ask for.”
STEVENS GETS STAKES WIN NO. 100 AND REMEMBERS NO. 1
Sunday's Juvenile Turf victory on King of Speed was No. 100 for jockey Gary Stevens at Del Mar.
“Oh wow,” trainer Jeff Bonde said when informed of the milestone after the race. “We talked it over and with the speed in the race, Gary said he was just going to take back, save all the ground and make one run. That’s just what he did.”
Stevens, 55, was a 22-year-old not long out of Idaho when he rode Tsunami Slew to victory in the 1985 Eddie Read Handicap.
“Tsunami Slew would get really nervous and wash out, but I got along really good with the horse in the mornings,” Stevens recalled. “I warmed him up before the race and he started to get a little bit nervous so I walked him over to the outside fence, where there was a hedge in those days. He stuck his head in there and started eating the leaves.
“I just left him alone, but I was thinking Eddie Gregson is probably wondering what the hell I’m doing right now and I hope these things aren’t poisonous.
“He chilled out and walked to the gate and we went wire to wire. I remember the race like it was yesterday. He was a cool horse, but he was a little nutso. Sometimes the Seattle Slew came out in him.”
CLOSERS – Selected works from 102 officially timed Monday morning: Skye Diamonds (3f, :37.00), Dabster (5f, 1:00.40), Roman Rosso (5f, 1:00.80), West Coast (5f, 1:02.40).