Del Mar Thoroughbred Club will present its first “Bing Crosby Season” starting next Friday (November 7) led by a veteran team of racing officials. The 15-day stand, which carries through to Sunday, November 30, fills in a notable portion of the racing dates that previously were run at the now-shuttered Hollywood Park.
Leading the Del Mar officials’ crew is DMTC’s executive vice president for racing and industry relations, Tom Robbins, serving his 34th year at the seaside oval. Robbins, who is widely considered to be one of the foremost racing officials in the world, oversees a staff of more than 100 in putting on the racing show at the track Bing Crosby founded in 1937.
Robbins’ right-hand man in the process is Del Mar’s new racing secretary, David Jerkens. The youthful veteran, who came to Del Mar after working in, or running, racing offices in New York and San Francisco, came on board for his first summer at Del Mar this year and now will get his initial sampling of fall racing at the beach.
Chief aides in the racing department again will be Zachary Soto (24 years at Del Mar), as assistant racing secretary and stakes coordinator, and Tora Yamaguchi (12 years), assistant racing secretary and placing judge.
The track’s Board of Stewards all have done tours at Del Mar before. They are Scott Chaney (nine years at Del Mar), Tom Ward (sixth year) and Luis Jauregui, who was a full steward at the track for the first time this past summer.
Placing judges will be Robert Moreno, Merry Young and Yamaguchi. Patrol judges will be Sue Brent and Ruben Hernandez. Karen Denovel will serve as paddock judge. Overseeing the jockeys’ room once more will be clerk of scales Charles McCaul, assisted by Chris Merz.
Other officials for the four week season will include Bridget Crawford, paymaster of purses; Melanie Stubblefield, clerk of the course; Dianne Piper, horse identifier; Russell Hudak, morning line maker; John Lies, timer; Victor Tovar, horseshoe identifier; Barrie Grant D.V.M.*, official veterinarian, and Dana Stead, D.V.M., racing veterinarian.
The track will have a new head starter in Jay Slender, who is also the head starter at Santa Anita. Jay Slender is the son of Tucker Slender, the veteran starter who was Del Mar’s head man starting in 1985 until his retirement in 1997.
First post at Del Mar throughout November will be at 12:30 p.m. for all Thursday and Friday programs, then at 12 noon for all Saturday and Sunday cards.
*An Earlier Version of this release stated Tim Grande as the Official Veterinarian.