Del Mar Reports Record Average Daily Handle

With racing fans ready to return to some normalcy, Del Mar reported record average daily wagering of $18.38 million for its 82nd summer meeting that wrapped up Sept. 6.

"Terrific, simply terrific," said Del Mar CEO Joe Harper. "We had our fans come back this year and we put on a show of shows for them. The racing was first-rate, the wagering was over the moon, and Del Mar was Del Mar again in all its glory. Special, very special."

The handle numbers raced past an impressive 2020 racing season when "stuck at home" horseplayers went all out and set a record for average daily handle at $17.32 million. The total handle for the 2021 meet was $569.98 million for 31 days of racing. The 2020 total handle—for 27 days of racing—reached $467.60 million.

Field size, often a key driver of wagering, improved as well. In 2020, the track had an exceptional 8.36 horses per race, one of the best marks in the country. In 2021—running four more days this year than last year—that number improved to 8.45. Del Mar officials believe increased purses and bonuses helped with those numbers.

"Our horsemen and horsewomen were excellent in responding to the goals we set out to bolster our Southern California horse population," said Del Mar executive vice president of racing Tom Robbins. "We substantially increased purses and incentive bonuses and they replied in fine fashion. When you realize that other meets across the country are struggling with horse population, we feel we're fortunate to receive the strong participation form owners and trainers coming. Our core racing product was excellent."

The track's popular "Ship & Win" program, in its 11th season, offered its highest engagement bonus at $4,000 in addition to 50% and 40% purse supplements. It attracted 181 horses from across the country—as opposed to 104 in 2020—with the majority of them owned and trained by Southern Californians.

"Another amazing summer in the books," said Thoroughbred Owners of California chairman Gary Fenton. "A big thank you to DMTC. After months of planning and hard work they hit a grand slam for us and continue to provide our membership with an incredible racing experience."

The summer meet sets Del Mar up for a fall meet where it will welcome back the Breeders' Cup World Championships. Del Mar will return to action Nov. 3 for the start of its 15-day Bing Crosby Season with the Breeders' Cup scheduled for Nov. 5-6.

Leading owner honors at the summer meet went to Hronis Racing, the family operation of Kosta, Stephanie, and Pete Hronis. Hronis racing finished as leading owner by money won and number of wins. This is the sixth time Hronis Racing has been leading owner for money won, following honors in 2019, 2018, 2017, 2014, and 2013.

Hronis Racing earned $1,020,440 during the season, a large portion of it—$600,000 in fact—when their horse Tripoli  won the Aug. 21 TVG Pacific Classic (G1). 

Second in money won was Red Baron's Barn and Rancho Temescal with $499,951. Third was Reddam Racing with $442,140. Nick Alexander and Kaleem Shah were second in the wins department, each with seven first-place finishes.

The victory in the 31st running of the Pacific Classic propelled Tripoli to Horse of the Meeting honors and top older horse for the 2021 season at Del Mar, based on a media vote.

Other divisional winners included Going Global , top 3-year-old filly; Dr. Schivel , top sprinter; United , top grass horse; None Above the Law , top 3-year-old male; Shedaresthedevil , top older filly or mare; Grace Adler , top 2-year-old filly; and Pinehurst , top 2-year-old male.

Jockey Flavien Prat and trainer Peter Miller continued to reign supreme at Del Mar. Despite missing part or all of three weekends during the meeting to accept assignments for major stakes at Saratoga Race Course and Arlington International Racecourse, Prat easily notched his third straight riding title and fifth, solo or shared, in the past six seasons.

With four wins on the final Sunday of the meeting and three more on Labor Day, Prat finished with 47 wins for a 15-win margin over Juan Hernandez and 18 over Abel Cedillo. A year after establishing a single-season record of 15 stakes wins, Prat, a 29-year-old native of Melun, France, added 11 more, boosting his total to 72—11th best in track history.

Miller saddled 26 wins from 143 starters—seven more than runner-up Bob Baffert posted from 63 representatives. The title was not only the second straight for Miller, it was his fifth at the summer meeting since 2012 and his ninth overall.