Arbiter Rockets to Set Del Mar Turf Mark

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Asadurian And Asadurian's Arbiter tracked the early pacesetter for 10 furlongs, then forged to the front for the 11th and final panel as he raced to a record-setting, two-length victory in the $65,05 Kobuk King Stakes Thursday afternoon at Del Mar.

The 5-year-old gelding by A.P. Indy hustled the mile and three-eighths on the bouncy Del Mar turf in 2:12.23, eclipsing the previous course record of 2:12.40 set by Navarone in 1992. He returned $9.20 for the victory.

Mike Smith piloted Arbiter for trainer Craig Lewis, outfinishing Jess Miller Trust's Sumati. Finishing third two and a half lengths farther back was Red Baron's Barn's Komistar, who had set all the pace.

Arbiter earned a first prize of $39,030 for the fifth victory in his 10-race career. The Kentucky-bred has now won three of his five starts on grass and shows a bankroll of $140,050.

The day's Pick Six was not solved and resulted in a carryover to Friday's card of $93,851.

Coming on the heels of its record opening-day crowd of 37,439 Wednesday, Del Mar played host to 11,048 racing fans on a sunny Thursday afternoon by the seashore.

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