Total handle increases 6.7% for Del Mar's summer meet
Del Mar finished its 86th summer racing season Sunday with substantial increases in wagering, total and average daily, as well as field size from the 2024 summer meeting. The track also continued to offer the highest daily purse distribution in California.
Total wagering for the meet reached $535.15 million, an increase of 6.7% from last summer’s $501.57 million. Average daily handle rose to $17.26 million from $16.18 million in 2024. Del Mar also averaged 8.7 starters per race, up from 8.6 in 2024, and $884,000 per day in total purse distribution.
"While our summer meet always produces strong business results, this season received an exceptional response from racing fans both here and across the country. It is clear that California’s new single-circuit structure is having a positive effect," Del Mar president Josh Rubinstein said.
The highlight of the meet was Pacific Classic day, which featured five graded-stakes races, including a brilliant winning performance by Fierceness in the Grade 1 Pacific Classic. Wagering on Pacific Classic day topped $27 million.
Including the Pacific Classic, Del Mar hosted six Breeders' Cup win-and-you're-in races during the summer meeting, drawing strong fields and national attention.
Opening day once again was a sold-out event. On-track attendance increased by 3.1% over 2024’s figures.
"As we wrap up and prepare for the Breeders' Cup next month, I want to thank our partners here, the horsemen and women who help us consistently put forward such outstanding racing card after card, year after year, and the racing fans who support us with their wagering," Del Mar CEO Joe Harper said.
Juan Hernandez led the jockey standings with 45 wins during the 31-day meet. Bob Baffert won the training crown as he saddled 24 winners. Mia Familla Racing Stable was the leading owner by wins, with six trips to the winner’s circle, and Derrick Smith, Repole Stable, or Tabor topped all owners in purse earnings with $600,000. In the ever-expanding category of co-partnerships, Little Red Feather Racing led the way with $1,003,500 in earnings, including four stakes wins.
Racing returns to Del Mar for the fall meet from Oct. 30 through Nov. 30. The highlight of the race meeting will be the Breeders’ Cup on Oct. 31 and No. 1.