Oak Tree meeting at Del Mar in 2012?

The Oak Tree Racing Association wants to run a fall meeting at the Del Mar Racetrack in 2012, a move that could lead to the Breeders’ Cup coming to the seaside track within four to five years.

Sherwood “Chilly” Chillingworth, executive director of the Oak Tree Racing Association based at Santa Anita Racetrack, said Monday that he continues to have talks with officials from the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club and the state’s 22nd District Agriculture Board, which operates the race track, about a 2012 fall meeting.

Chillingworth also said his association would loan $2 million to $3 million to Del Mar and the agriculture board so it could expand Del Mar’s Jimmy Durante Turf Course to attract a future Breeders’ Cup. He said the fall Del Mar meeting would run at the end of September through the early part of November to “pick up the Breeders’ Cup.” Chillingworth plans to apply for the 2012 fall dates this summer at a California Horse Racing Board meeting.

“We think Del Mar’s good image and national reputation along with our top level races that include 13 graded stakes will be a good mix there in the fall,” Chillingworth said. “Ultimately we will get the Breeders’ Cup for Del Mar within the next four to five years.”