BloodHorse.com | Horse Racing News

Palomar a Tough One to Call

The busy Labor Day weekend of stakes action winds down at Del Mar with the Palomar Handicap (gr. IIT). The 1 1/16-mile race for older fillies and mares is a hard one to handicap.

Tyler Baze Suspended Indefinitely at Del Mar

Jockey Tyler Baze was taken off mounts and suspended indefinitely by Del Mar stewards Sept. 1 after he refused to take a breathalyzer test, several news outlets confirmed.

Majestic City Posts Bullet Work for Futurity

Unbeaten Majestic City, winner of the Hollywood Juvenile Championship Stakes (gr. III), worked five furlongs in a bullet :59 under jockey David Flores on Sept. 1 in preparation for the Sept. 7 Del Mar Futurity (gr. I).

Mike Smith Pleads Not Guilty to DUI Charges

Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith has pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor DUI charges resulting from his July 20 arrest hours after winning the Oceanside Stakes on opening day at Del Mar.

Slideshow: The Week In Photos - Aug. 30, 2011

Exciting finishes from Saratoga, Del Mar, Calder and France!

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No Standout in Del Mar Handicap

Bourbon Bay, fresh off a convincing win in the Cougar II Handicap (gr. II), returns to turf in the $200,000 Del Mar Handicap (gr. IIT) Aug. 28 in San Diego.

Twirling Candy Favored in Pacific Classic

Twirling Candy, two-for-two on the Del Mar turf, will seek his first victory on the Southern California racetrack's synthetic surface when he faces nine others in the $1 million TVG Pacific Classic (gr. I) Aug. 28.

The Factor Meets Smiling Tiger in Pat O'Brien

The Factor will face five older horses in the seven-furlong Pat O'Brien (gr. I) as he makes his first start in more than four months on Sunday, Aug. 28, at Del Mar.

Blind Luck to Skip Pacific Classic

Blind Luck, who was under consideration for the Aug. 28 Pacific Classic (gr. I) against males, will instead point toward the Oct. 1 Lady's Secret (gr. I) at Santa Anita Park, according to trainer Jerry Hollendorfer.

Twirling Candy Works a Mile in 1:37 4/5

With ownership partners Jenny Craig and Marty Wygod looking on from a grandstand box, potential TVG Pacific Classic (gr. I) favorite Twirling Candy worked a mile in 1:37 4/5 over the main track at Del Mar Aug. 21.

Rosario Escapes Injury in Del Mar Spill

Joel Rosario, seeking his third straight Del Mar riding title, narrowly escaped injury Aug. 18 in a mid-program spill.

Del Mar's Total Handle Down by Nearly 6%

Overall handle figures at Del Mar this summer are down by 5.8% as the seaside track barrels into the second half of its 37-day stand.

And They're Off: Dog Days Edition

Lenny and Kenny Rice of NBC Sports review breaking news, the Saratoga race meet, Del Mar Exes race, Race Medication and Leftylenythelegend.

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Del Mar's 'Ship and Win' Program Succeeding

Del Mar Turf Club reported that its "Ship and Win" program, in which horsemen bringing runners from out-of-state are rewarded with bonus payments when those horses start during the current meet, is proving successful.

Mitchell Ties McAnally by Del Mar Wins

Trainer Mike Mitchell sent out two winners at Del Mar Thursday, Aug. 11, to tie Hall of Famer Ron McAnally for the title as winningest trainer in the history of the seaside track.

The Summer Places to Be - By Evan Hammonds

For racing to succeed, it must thrive along the top line.

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Mike Smith Wins 'Battle of the Exes'

Jockey Mike Smith sent Joker Face to the front shortly after the break and cruised to an easy, 2 1/4 length triumph over former fiance Chantal Sutherland and Parable in the "Battle of the Exes" at Del Mar Aug. 7.

Twirling Candy Works Toward Pacific Classic

Potential Pacific Classic (gr. I) favorite Twirling Candy posted a bullet work Aug. 7 when he covered six furlongs in 1:11 3/5 at Del Mar. The 4-year-old son of Candy Ride was the fastest of 20 horses at the distance.

Trainer Barry Abrams Visits Del Mar

Trainer Barry Abrams, one month removed from surgery for recurring throat cancer, made an unexpected visit to Del Mar Aug. 5.

Mighty Caroline Wins Sorrento in Graded Debut

John M. Liviakis' homebred filly Mighty Caroline, second choice in the betting at 4-1 under jockey Joel Rosario, forged to the front in the upper stretch and went on to a 1 1/4-length victory in the Sorrento Stakes (gr. III).

Blind Luck Works Five Furlongs in 1:00 2/5

Champion Blind Luck worked five furlongs in 1:00 2/5 the morning of Aug. 5 at Del Mar. The Aug. 28 Pacific Classic or Personal Ensign (both gr. I) are being considered for her next start.

Killer Graces Leads Sorrento Field

Killer Graces, winner of consecutive stakes at Hollywood Park, leads a field of eight juvenile fillies for the $150,000 Sorrento Stakes (gr. III) Aug. 5 at Del Mar.

Slideshow: Week In Photos - August 2, 2011

From Frankel to the Haskell Invitational, lots of racing from last week. Including a special guest appearance on the final slide.

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Sportech Worker Caused Del Mar Posting Error

An employee of totalizer company Sportech was responsible for incorrect payoffs being posted on the seventh race at Del Mar July 21, 2011, the California Horse Racing Board reported.

Del Mar Pick Six Pays $1.1 Million

After two races paid more than $40 in the sequence, the Del Mar pick six paid out more than $1.1 million dollars to one patron.

Jockeys In Del Mar Spill Return to Action

Three jockeys involved in a spill in the final race at Del Mar July 24 are returning to action without missing any time.

Slideshow: The Week In Photos - July 26, 2011

This week is devoted to Saratoga and Del Mar.

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Bourbon Bay, Setsuko Meet in Cougar II

Bourbon Bay, a four-time graded stakes winner in California, looks to get back on track when he leads a field of eight in the Cougar II Handicap (gr. III) July 29 at Del Mar.

The Factor Returns to Work Tab at Del Mar

Two-time graded stakes winner The Factor, sidelined since May with an ankle injury, returned with his first breeze July 26 at Del Mar.

Claiming Box Popular in Southern California

Claiming activity in Southern California surged at Hollywood Park this summer, a positive indicator for horse ownership as the popular summer meet at Del Mar completes its first week of the 2011 season.

Acclamation Could Grab Division Lead

Acclamation could jump to top of class in distance turf division.

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Sarah's Secret Looks to Stay Undefeated

Sarah's Secret, undefeated in four starts so far, leads a field of 10 sophomore fillies in the $150,000 San Clemente Handicap (gr. IIT) July 24 at Del Mar.

Mike Smith Arrested for Drunk Driving

Jockey Mike Smith, who won the opening-day stakes at Del Mar, was arrested hours later in Torrey Highlands, Calif., on suspicion of driving while intoxicated, according to local news reports.

Record Crowd for Del Mar Opener

The largest crowd in Del Mar history of 46,588 turned out Wednesday, July 20, for the opening day card at the seaside oval in Southern California.

California OKs Simulcast Race Limit Increase

California Gov. Jerry Brown has approved legislation that increases from 32 to 50 the limit on the daily number of imported races on which a racing association or fair simulcast facility in the state can accept wagers.

TVG to Present Del Mar Coverage

TVG, America's Horseracing Network, will be the exclusive broadcast network of the 2011 Del Mar race meet, offering live, on-site coverage beginning opening day, Wednesday, July 20.

Del Mar Adds Players Pick 5, Head-to-Head Bet

Del Mar will continue the so-called "Players Pick 5" bet instituted by Hollywood Park this spring and will add a few new twists to its wagering menu for the meet that begins July 20.

Fravel Named Breeders' Cup President, CEO

Del Mar president and general manager Craig Fravel has been named to succeed Greg Avioli as president and CEO of Breeders' Cup. His stint will begin July 18.

Del Mar Introduces Ship and Win Program

Del Mar Thoroughbred Club has announced a unique incentive program for this summer to encourage owners--both from inside and outside California--to bring horses to the state for Del Mar's 37-day meet beginning July 20.

Pacific Classic Highlights Del Mar Schedule

As it has for the past two seasons, Del Mar again will offer 42 stakes races over the course of a 37-day summer meet that runs from July 20 through Sept. 7.

And They're Off: October 20, 2010

Lenny and Steve discuss who's going where in the Breeders' Cup, John Shirreffs, and the top 10 changes Mike Pegram will make at Del Mar. Plus, an update on Leftlenythelegend, and Zenyatta and T.O.

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Del Mar Confirms Fairground, Track Purchase

The City of Del Mar confirmed Oct. 7 that is has struck a preliminary agreement with the state to purchase the 400-acre Del Mar Fairgrounds and racetrack and plans to keep the site in the public domain.

J P's Gusto Romps in Del Mar Futurity

J P's Gusto an impressive winner in Del Mar Futurity.

Del Mar's Record Pick Six Yields 124 Winners

With only one favorite among the six winning horses, the Del Mar recoord Pick Six pool of $6,656,591 provided payoffs of $35,553.40 to 124 bettors with perfect tickets Sept. 4.

Oak Tree, Hollywood Park Agree to 2011 Meet

Hollywood Park and the Oak Tree Racing Association have already agreed to a second fall meet in 2011. The racing dates still require approval by the California Horse Racing Board.

Indicators: Handle Off $100 Million in August

Pari-mutuel handle was off by about $100 million in August compared with the same month in 2009, yet another indication any rebound will take longer than some in the industry imagined.

Bejarano Released From Hospital After Fall

Jockey Rafael Bejarano was released from Scripps-La Jolla Hospital after suffering only bumps and bruises when he was dislodged from his mount early in the third race at Del Mar Aug. 29.

THS: Travers and Pacific Classic

Jason, Tom, and Les Instone of TwinSpires.com preview the Travers (gr.I) and Pacific Classic (gr.I).

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10 Entered in the Pacific Classic at Del Mar

The morning line favorite is The Usual Q.T., ridden by Victor Espinoza.

Bullet Works for Two Pacific Classic Starters

Richard's Kid worked a quick half-mile in :46 4/5 at Del Mar on Aug. 23 as he continued to prep for a defense of his title in the Aug. 28 $1 million Pacific Classic Presented by TVG.