Del Mar resumes Sunday after rain forces Saturday cancellation

Del Mar is set to race Sunday after the worst of the rain passed through the area. Except for one or two scattered showers.

Racing was canceled Saturday in anticipation of the heavy rains that flooded parking lots and portions of the backside stable area. Work crews were busy first thing Sunday morning cleaning up the facility.

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On the backside, conditions were wet and soggy. No major flood issues were reported, which was the best outcome possible after a thorough soaking the day before. Ponds formed in the areas between the barns, but the shed rows were spared and the horses and their stalls remained dry.

"We're fine," trainer Bob Hess said outside his barn Sunday morning. "It flooded outside some of the older barns, but here is okay."

Berms had been built up around some barns to prevent flooding, and they worked.

With the main track closed, tack walking was the theme of the day on the backside. Horses with their riders walked the shed rows or other paths around the barn area. The horses did not mind the sloppy conditions. As a sign of normalcy, horse trailers dropped off their precious cargo throughout the morning.

Del Mar track superintendent Dennis Moore said rain gauges showed 1 1/2 inches of rain fell on the area beginning Friday afternoon. The track was sealed after the races Friday and remained sealed through much of Sunday morning. By 11 a.m. PST, tractors were out with their harrows opening up the track.

"I waited until I felt comfortable that we're not going to get any more showers," Moore said. He added that 11 o'clock was the latest they could hold off.

Moore expects the main track to be good by first post at 12:30 p.m. PST. No turf racing is scheduled Sunday at Del Mar.