Look ahead at Week Two at Del Mar

Stakes include the Wickerr on Wednesday, Cougar II Handicap on Friday, Fleet Treat Stakes and San Diego Handicap on Saturday and the Bing Crosby and California Dreamin’ Handicap on Sunday.

Look back at Week One at Del Mar


The new, widened turf course was the main story line going in, and it proved to hold up well through the first four days of the 36-day meeting. Enterprising, owned by Glen Hill Farm, trained by Tom Proctor and ridden by Mike Smith, took the Oceanside on the first stakes to be run on the new sod. Smith also won the week’s last stakes, the Eddie Read, with Tom’s Tribute for trainer Jim Cassidy and owner Marilyn Braly. Trainer Walther Solis won his first stakes ever at Del Mar with My Fiona for an ownership group led by Terry Lovingier in the CTBA Stakes. Brothers Keith and Kent Desormeaux teamed up for the Osunitas Stakes with Keith doing the training on Cozze Up Lady and Kent the riding. Jockey Rafael Bejarano showed he’s back from his injuries by winning the San Clemente Handicap on the new turf for trainer Michael Stidham, a newcomer to Del Mar, and owners Ike and Dawn Thrash and Sam and Janet Alley. Martin Garcia led all jockeys with six wins, while trainer Doug O’Neill led the trainers with four. Trainer Peter Miller had three wins, but led all with four seconds. The third annual Paddock Sale at Del Mar resulted in 19 horses sold, up from 17 last year. Total gross sales were up from last year at $2,147,000 for an average of $113,000 per horse. Top seller was Heir Kitty, a 4-year-old filly who went for $750,000 to Navrick International. Trainer Jim Cassidy led all buyers in purchasing four horses. Trainer Wesley Ward’s Pablo Del Monte, sixth in the Preakness to California Chrome, was scheduled to arrive at Blake Heap’s barn. Heap said he’ll likely run in the Pat O’Brien Stakes on Pacific Classic Day on Aug. 24.