Del Mar stakes schedule features higher purses

Del Mar has unveiled an enhanced stakes schedule that features 34 major races, with more than half of them boosted above their 2021 purse numbers resulting in a record gross value of $8,275,000 for its 31-day stand.

Besides the major stakes, there also will be increases from $80,000 to $100,000 for all five of Del Mar's overnight stakes.

Major stakes purse raises will be in effect ranging from $25,000 to $100,000, notably including amplifications to a pair of Grade 1 offerings – the six-furlong Bing Crosby Stakes on Saturday, July 30, climbing from $300,000 to $400,000 and the filly and mare showcase that is the Clement L. Hirsch Stakes on Saturday, Aug. 6, rising from $300,000 to $400,000.

In 2021, the shore oval’s stakes schedule carried a gross value of $7,450,000. This year’s additional $825,000 in purse monies means an about 10 percent increase for black type runners, making it the most lucrative stakes schedule in the track's history. All told, 16 major stakes are worth more money for this go-round, along with the increases for the five overnights.

“This is Del Mar shining bright and I believe our horsemen and women are going to be delighted with it,” said David Jerkens, one of the track’s vice presidents and its racing secretary. “Across the board we have exceptional offerings for most any type of good horse you’d care to bring our way. We’re proud to present this program and expect it will be well received.”

The track’s premier event is the Grade 1, $1,000,000 Pacific Classic, which will be run for the 32nd time on Saturday, Sept. 3. The 1 1/4-mile event for 3-year-olds and up will be bolstered once again by four additional stakes surrounding it on a rich card that undoubtedly will be the highlight of the summer season.

Along with the “Classic” will be a trio of Grade 2 races, all carrying $300,000 purses: the Del Mar Handicap at 11 furlongs on turf; the Del Mar Mile at eight furlongs on turf, and the Caesars Sportsbook Del Mar Derby at nine furlongs on turf. The cherry on top of the afternoon will be the $125,000 Shared Belief Stakes at a mile on the main track.

Joining the three Grade I headliners already mentioned are three other Grade I presentations in the $300,000 Del Mar Oaks on Saturday, August 20; the $300,000 TVG Del Mar Debutante on Saturday, Sept. 10, and the $300,000 Del Mar Futurity on Sunday, Sept. 11.

Additionally, the track will offer a stakes tripleheader on Saturday, Sept. 10 (Del Mar Debutante, John C. Mabee Stakes, Del Mar Juvenile Fillies Turf), and nine other weekend dates where it has scheduled stakes doubleheaders.

Further, Del Mar also will present its usual compliment of eight California-bred stakes, part of the Golden State Stakes Series that consists of 36 races at tracks up and down the state worth more than $4.4 million. Its stakes are the $175,000 Fleet Treat Stakes, the $175,000 Real Good Deal Stakes, the $150,000 California Dreamin’ Stakes, the $125,000 CTBA Stakes, the $125,000 Graduation Stakes, the $150,000 Solana Beach Stakes, the $125,000 Generous Portion Stakes and the $125,000 I’m Smokin Stakes.

Del Mar will open its season with a three-day weekend (Friday, July 22, 23 and 24), then have five four-day weeks (Thursday through Sunday), a five-day week (including Labor Day Monday, September 5), then finish with a Friday-through-Sunday weekend (Sept. 9, 10 and 11).