Del Mar Maintains Fall Stakes Levels, Adds Two Stakes

Del Mar announced Sept. 10 a schedule of 16 stakes worth $2.25 million for its 15-day fall season from Oct. 31—Nov. 29.

Despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the seaside track was able to maintain the purse levels for its stakes from 2019, including $300,000 purses for its pair of grade 1 races and $200,000 pots for its two grade 2 events. Additionally, because Del Mar is in action this fall when the Breeders' Cup will be simulcast from Keeneland Nov. 6-7, the track will run two California-bred sprint stakes for juveniles that were not on its slate the past two seasons.

"Given the current climate of things, we are very pleased to keep our fall stakes purse levels intact," said David Jerkens, Del Mar's racing secretary. "The response to our summer racing program was exceptional. We are expecting similar results this fall. I am especially excited about our Thanksgiving stakes weekend, which has taken on national prominence."

Nine of the fall stakes are graded, and as usual for the fall meet, the emphasis will be on grass racing. Seven of the stakes—all on grass—will be presented over the track's closing week from Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 26, until Nov. 29.

Del Mar's two premier fall stakes will be presented over that span—the $300,000 Hollywood Derby (G1T) for 3-year-olds at 1 1/8 miles Nov. 28 and the $300,000 Matriarch Stakes (G1T) for fillies and mares at a mile Nov. 29.  

Also during closing week, the track will stage the $200,000 Hollywood Turf Cup (G2T) for 3-year-olds and up at 1 1/2 miles Nov. 27 and the $200,000 Seabiscuit Handicap (G2T) for 3-year-olds and up at 1 1/16 miles Nov. 28.

There will be six stakes offered for juveniles, including the $100,000 Bob Hope Stakes (G3) at seven furlongs Nov. 15; the $100,000 Jimmy Durante Stakes (G3T) for 2-year-old fillies at a mile on the grass Nov. 28, and the $100,000 Cecil B. DeMille Stakes (G3T) Nov. 29, an open race for 2-year-olds also at a mile on turf.

Racing will be conducted Saturday and Sunday for opening weekend, then on a Friday-Sunday schedule for the next three weeks. It finishes with a four-day week during the Thanksgiving holiday period.

The fall meet will kick off with a pair of $75,000 overnight stakes—the Kathryn Crosby Stakes for fillies and mares at a mile on turf Oct. 31 and the Let It Ride Stakes for 3-year-olds at the same distance and surface Nov. 1.

First post daily will be 12:30 p.m. PT on all racing days with the exception of the track's special holiday card on Thanksgiving when racing begins at 11 a.m. As in past years, Del Mar's racing office plans to card eight races during its weekday cards and nine for the weekend programs.

* Indicates Overnight Stakes