Del Mar Sees Daily Handle Drop for Fall Meet

At the conclusion of its second fall season since the closure of Hollywood Park, Del Mar saw a decrease in daily average handle for the five-week stand when compared with last fall's four-week slate.

 

The total handle for the meet was $195,737,812, following 2014's final number of $154,914,430 with fewer days. Average daily handle for the 20 days was $9,786,891, a 5.2% decrease from the daily average for 2014's 15 days, which was $10,327,629. The added days for 2015 also included dates in which the Breeders' Cup was conducted at Keeneland.

 

Attendance also went down, in total and on average, at Del Mar's fall meet. The track's overall attendance this year was 123,608 for a daily average of 6,180. The total in 2014 was 135,829 for an average of 9,055.

 

The track presented 171 races during its five-week run, drawing 1,390 starters for an average field size of 8.13. Last year's 15-day meet saw 129 races lure 1,077 starters for an average of 8.35 per offering. The track's turf course had 66 races run on it with 591 starters for an average field size of 8.95. In 2014, the track presented 47 turf races that drew 428 starters for an average field size of 9.11. The fall session also included the first 14-horse grass fields, on the expanded course, in track history.

 

"We are very happy with the support our local horsemen have shown toward this meeting," said Del Mar racing secretary David Jerkens, "and encouraged by the solid participation by out-of-town horsemen, especially for our stakes races. I think everyone knows now that Del Mar has something special to offer in the fall and I only see the meet growing and becoming better."

 

Hall of Fame jockey Kent Desormeaux had high praise for the turf and Del Mar's track superintendent, Leif Dickinson.



"I think it's the best turf course in the country," Desormeaux said. "Best one we've had in California in 20 years. Leif has done an exceptional job with it."



Del Mar's dirt track, newly installed over the previous winter and raced on for the first time this past summer, was virtually injury free.

 

Del Mar's riding champion—once more—was Rafael Bejarano with 20 winners in 20 days, besting Santiago Gonzalez's 18 victories. This was Bejarano's sixth Del Mar title (the others all won during the summer meet) and his 22nd overall riding crown in Southern California.



The top trainer for the session was Doug O'Neill, who had 15 winners. Both Peter Miller and Phil D'Amato dead-heated for second with 13 winners. This is O'Neill's fifth Del Mar championship (the other four were during summer meets) and his 30th overall in Southern California.