Out with the Old, In with the New: Can Del Mar Buck Negative Trends?

by Steve Davidowitz | Jul 15 2011

The 72nd Del Mar meet will open on Wednesday, July 20 with 37 racing dates through Sept 7. To say it will be interesting to watch how many people support it and play it this year, is an understatement.

Del Mar is the jewel of Southern California racing and it will be operating in the aftermath of steady attendance and handle declines. These declines have been in progress for several years, but this year they have been accentuated by a bad decision on the part of the California Horse Racing
Board with considerable support from the Thoroughbred Owners of California. In other words, both organizations have shot themselves and Cal racing in the foot.

The crucial bad decision – to raise the takeout percentages earlier this year for a few exotic bets – was hard to justify in the present economy. Moreover, the negative consequences may be felt at Del Mar despite that track’s tremendous appeal to regular and casual players.

Will Del Mar have short fields in too many races just as we saw at Santa Anita during the winter and Hollywood from April through mid July?

Will this occur even though Del Mar is only going to be open Wednesday through Sunday, as it conceded last year that it did not have the horses to justify a six day weekly schedule?

Will the ambience of this beautiful racetrack that lies within a furlong of the Pacific Ocean overcome the negative trends?

For its part, Del Mar management is going to offer one of its multi race wagers at a reduced takeout, which was one positive concession that players appreciated and bet into with gusto at Hollywood.

Likewise, Del Mar’s plan to reward $1,000 to all horses that raced out of state in its last outing should help to increase field size. But no one knows for sure. Yet, it is folly to think that no one cares, about a track that is going to offer more than $650,000 in daily purses.

Everybody who races in California, or plays Del Mar races – including Internet players – have a stake in what happens at this year’s meet.   If there are more declines, more squabbles between horsemen and the active horseplayer’s group lobbying for change, Del Mar might lose its standing as the best racing venue this side of Saratoga.

Saratoga, set to open its 143rd race meet on Friday July 22, will have 40 racing days, six per week, through Labor Day, Sept. 5. Daily purses are expected to approach $750,000 and as usual, most of the nation’s top horses, jockeys and trainers will be there for all or part of the season.

Where the $1 million Travers for 3 year olds will be the featured centerpiece to this historic meet on Saturday, Aug. 27; the same purpose will be served by the $1 million Pacific Classic at Del Mar on Aug. 28.

During the summer we probably will see several top horses ship from Saratoga to Del Mar and from Del Mar to Saratoga.

Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert will have horses ready to run at both tracks, including FIRST DUDE and GAME ON DUDE who were inches apart in the $600,000 Hollywood Gold Cup on Saturday, July 2. Both horses are expected to run in the Pacific Classic.
 
Hall of Fame trainer Nick Zito is hoping to bring back Florida Derby winner DIALED IN for the Travers, while Todd Pletcher is slowly revving up last year’s Juvenile Champion UNCLE MO for a start in the 7 furlong King’s Bishop on the Travers’ undercard.

No doubt we will see the top turf fillies and mares at both tracks and most importantly, we will see hundreds of 2-year-olds begin their careers and perform in Graded stakes throughout the summer season.

Speaking of 2-year-olds, you might want to check out my one year old website for expert pedigree analysis for hundreds of juveniles in training at both tracks. Likewise, you will find insightful workout reports. These reports can help you get an insider’s view of which horses are really ready and which may need a race or two to reach winning form.

At the bottom line, I tell time by both Saratoga and Del Mar and annually spend significant hours playing the game at both tracks. Of course, I will be criss-crossing the country to convey what is happening for your benefit right here at Bodog for your benefit.

Stay tuned. The real racing season is less than a week away.

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