Del Mar Stakes

Greg Melikov has been handicapping and writing about horses for decades. His articles and columns appear globally in print and online.

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The stakes are high at Del Mar's 67th meeting that runs through Sept. 6. The $375,000 jump in purses bumps stakes races to $7.15 million.

Increases range from $50,000 in three of the 42 stakes to $100,000 and creation of the $125,000 California Dreamin' Handicap for California-bred 3-year-olds and up going 1 1/16 miles on the turf Aug. 4.

Del Mar continues to set records in wagering. Last year, fans bet an amazing $608,168,297 for a daily average of $14,143,449. The record for a single-day handle was established -- $24,004,733.

While attendance averaged 17,007, down 45 customers in '05, crowds for '04 rose for the fourth consecutive year. And this opening day July 19 drew 42,005, second highest in track history.

The record of 44,181 was set on Pacific Classic Day in '96 when Dare and Go upset Cigar. The signature event of the 43-day meeting is Aug. 20. One of six Grade 1 races, the 16 th Pacific Classic is for 3-year-olds and up at 1 ¼ miles.

The $1 million contest should help determine Horse of the Year as Lava Man attempts to win Southern California's most prestigious, richest trifecta in the same year: the Santa Anita Handicap, Hollywood Gold Cup and Pacific Classic.

The 5-year-old gelding has successfully defended his Santa Anita Handicap and Hollywood Gold Cup crowns. He hopes to avenge a third-place finish in the '05 Pacific Classic behind retired Borrego and Perfect Drift, runner-up in the past two.

Perhaps you've forgotten this son of Slew City Slew was claimed for $50,000 nearly two years ago and has banked more than $2.8 million since then. He'd go over $3 million in total earnings if he only hits the board.

Lava Man likely will face both horses he defeated this year at Santa Anita and Hollywood Park: Ace Blue, a nose back in the Gold Cup, and Magnum, three-quarters of a length behind in the SA Handicap.

In addition, other challengers might include Arson Squad, winner of the Swaps Stakes; Buzzards Bay, victorious in the Oaklawn Handicap; and Invasor, who captured the Pimlico Special and Suburban Handicap.

Past winners include Candy Ride, who three years ago established the track record of 1:59 for 1 ¼ miles; Came Home, '02; General Challenge, '99; Free House, '98; and Best Pal, who captured the inaugural running in '91 and has a $150,000 stakes for 2-year-olds at 6 ½ furlongs on Aug. 13 named for him.

On the same card that Sunday is the $300,000 Pat O'Brien for 3-year-olds and up at seven furlongs, one of 11 Grade 2 stakes. The race honors the actor who served as vice president of the Del Mar Turf Club when it was formed in the late '30s.

O'Brien and club president Bing Crosby, a racing devotee who headed the founding group of movie stars, put up personal loans against their life insurance when initial funding suffered setbacks.

The $300,000 Bing Crosby Breeders' Cup Handicap for 3-year-olds and up at six furlongs is scheduled July 30.

Jeff Mullins will defend his training title against seven-time winner Bob Baffert, who has lost out the past two years.

Jockey Victor Espinoza, who led the Hollywood Park meeting, defends his '05 crown going for his third championship in seven years. Stiff competition includes three-time victor Corey Nakatani and two-time winner Alex Solis.

Horseplayers should note that if the main track plays like last year, it would favor horses on or near the pace in sprints and routes.

In '05 during the 43-day meeting, 201 sprints from 5 ½ furlongs to 7 furlongs saw 35 ½ percent of winners go wire-to-wire. The highest percentage: 44 at 5 ½ furlongs. Early speed did best through six furlongs while closers performed well at 6 ½-7 furlongs.

Outside posts accounted for the most winners: No. 9, 16 percent in 111 races; No. 6, 15 percent, 194 races; and No. 7, 13 per cent, 172 races.

In 67 contests at a mile and 1 1/16 miles, 35 ½ percent scored on the front end. Early speed along the rail was the best place to be.

Inside posts did best in 71 races: Nos. 1 and 3, 18 percent each, and No. 4, 17 percent.

Early speed in sprints or routes on the turf wasn't bad. Wire-to-wire winners scored 25 percent in a dozen sprints and 21 percent of 87 routes were captured by pacesetters.

Inside posts in sprints proved most advantageous: No. 3, 33 percent, and Nos. 1 and 2, 25 percent each. Routes were mixed: led by No. 10, 33 percent, and No. 2, 20 percent.

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