Del Mar News & Announcements

These announcements and Press Releases are updated frequently. For Stable Notes and other race-related news, you can read our Stable News.

Solo Ticket Pays $432,286 Wednesday at Del Mar

Pacific Song There’s a horseplayer somewhere in America who is thinking things are about 1,000% better this evening. That very good/very lucky investor played a $432 ticket Wednesday afternoon on the Pick Six at Del...

Pick Six Worth $561,865 Friday at Del Mar

Majestic Authority proved a prompt favorite in the nitecap at Del Mar Friday. The 3-year-old filly also was the only favorite in the six-race sequence known as the Pick Six on the seaside card allowing...

A Ward of San Diego and an Aide to Hall of Fame Trainers

Dan Ward, Jr. © Benoit Photo By Hank Wesch Every Del Mar summer season is a homecoming for Dan Ward, Jr., the top assistant to Hall of Fame trainer Jerry Hollendorfer. Ward’s parents, Dan, Sr.,...

Dennis Montoro Goes All-in to Capture $250,000 Del Mar Challenge

Contest Organizer Chris Bahr and Challenge Winner Dennis Montoro © Benoit Photo Dennis Montoro, 32, from New York, went all-in in the last race with a $7,000 win bet on #2, 5-1 Raven Creek, to...

Justify's Fond Farewell at Del Mar

Justify in the Del Mar Paddock © Benoit Photo JOCKEY MIKE SMITH – “You know, it’s just a little bit sad. Now it’s real. He’s really going. Understand, I’m happy for him. He’s going to...

In Wake of Roman, A Double Wave of Impact Apprentices

Heriberto Figueroa and Asa Espinoza © Benoit Photo By Hank Wesch A year ago, 19-year-old Evin Roman was the talk of the Southern California Thoroughbred racing circuit. The native of Puerto Rico and graduate of...

Del Mar Breaks Running With Strong Ups in Handle, Attendance

Opening Day © Benoit Photo Del Mar’s 79th summer racing season broke from the gate running with high quality competitive racing that provided gains in handle, field size and attendance. The seaside oval’s numbers after...

Catapult Upset Winner of Eddie Read Stakes

Catapult © Benoit Photo Woodford Racing’s Kentucky-bred Catapult, given a patient ride by Drayden Van Dyke, rallied powerfully in the stretch to overhaul 3-1 favored Sharp Samurai nearing the wire and win the featured Grade...

Espinoza Suffers Fractured Vertebra in Training Spill

Victor Espinoza © Del Mar Thoroughbred Club Hall of Fame jockey Victor Espinoza incurred a fracture of the C-3 vertebra in his neck when thrown from his mount Bobby Abu Dhabi, who suffered an apparent...

Martine Bellocq, Heroine of San Luis Rey Fire, Wins Pincay Award; To Be Honored on TVG Pacific Classic Day with Other Fire Heroes

Martine Bellocq Martine Bellocq, the courageous trainer who went into the fires of hell in an attempt to save her horses last December at San Luis Rey Downs training center, has been selected to be...