Del Mar Lauds Meet's Success, Looks to Breeders' Cup

That collective sigh of relief you heard out of the backstretch Thursday was the crew at the racing office after they took their final entry of the 2024 summer meet. It has been a terrific eight weeks of racing at Del Mar due in large part to racing secretary David Jerkens and his staff. They have worked non-stop since before opening day back in July. 

"It was pretty much what I expected going in," Jerkens says of the summer meet. "I knew there would be some challenges. I felt this summer we had to rely on our local horsemen. I've been surprised in some respects. The stakes races at the beginning of the meet were highlights for me. The Bing Crosby was a great race. The Clement Hirsch was a great race."

The Bing Crosby (G1) pitted California's Horse of the Year, The Chosen Vron  against some talented sprinters and he didn't disappoint, winning the race for a second year in a row. The Clement L. Hirsch Stakes (G1) also had a repeat winner in the top mare Adare Manor . 

"We still provided industry-leading field size numbers," Jerkens notes. "We're going to end up at 8 1/2 runners per race which, if you look at the general landscape of racing, that's a high number. Our numbers will be higher than the competition this time of year. Overall I think it was a good solid meet."

Still there are some challenges that must be addressed.

"We set the bar pretty high over the past couple of years," Jerkens concedes. "We have challenges in California, we can't ignore that. Our purse levels are not within an arm's length of the rest of the country. It needs to be addressed. We had more cases of out-of-state trainers who chose other locations that have more lucrative opportunities over us." 

All that being said it's always a good meet when Mother Nature cooperates and weather is a non-factor like it was this summer at Del Mar. 

"The one thing that was consistent all summer it was 72 and sunny," Jerkens states. "With the ocean breeze you couldn't have asked for anything more. You can never take it for granted given what transpired back east where every other day they were off the turf."

The star power was at Del Mar, too. In addition to The Chosen Vron and Adare Manor, there was Senor Buscador , Pretty Mischievous , Sweet Azteca , Anisette , and Didia . Not to mention the up-and-coming star 2-year-olds from the Bob Baffert barn.

"I think you have to cover your bases," Jerkens says. "You have to reach out. You get that Breeders' Cup bump where people do look at us a little bit more. That definitely helped. 

"It's keeping people in tune to what we're doing," Jerkens continues. "Putting the word out. Letting people know what our schedule is. One thing about Del Mar is we've remained consistent. The names of the races haven't changed. You know the Bing Crosby is a 'Win and You're In' prep for the Breeders' Cup." 

Speaking of the Breeders' Cup, it's coming back to Del Mar this November. They have their own staff to do what Jerkens and his staff do for Del Mar. But there still won't be much time to catch their breath.

"Stall applications are due October 1," Jerkens states. "So the process starts pretty quick. I'll begin work on the fall condition book in about a week or so."