Arbiter Rockets to Set Del Mar Turf Mark

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.