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Del Mar begins 67th season at the seashore

Horses break from the gate in the first race of Del Mar's 2005 season  (Michael J. Marten/Horsephotos.com)

Del Mar, "where the turf meets the surf," begins its 67th season of racing on Wednesday. The 43-day meet continues through September 9, with no racing on Tuesdays. Regular post time is 2 p.m. (PDT), with the exception of Four O'Clock Fridays and a 1 p.m. start on August 20, Pacific Classic (G1) Day.

The seaside track, which was co-founded by Hollywood stars Bing Crosby and Pat O'Brien, will offer 30 major stakes races worth a record $7,150,000. Of these, 19 are graded, with six receiving Grade 1 status, 11 Grade 2 and two Grade 3.

The track's signature race is the $1 million Pacific Classic. The 16th edition of the 10-furlong test is expected to include LAVA MAN (Slew City Slew), who could become the first horse since the inception of the Pacific Classic in 1991 to sweep the Santa Anita H. (G1), Hollywood Gold Cup S. (G1) and the Pacific Classic in the same year.

The major, or advertised, stakes schedule reflects several changes, including an additional $375,000 in purse money. New this season is the $125,000 California Dreamin' H., a 1 1/16-mile turf race for California-breds on August 4. The Del Mar Oaks (G1) on August 19 received a $100,000 purse increase and is now worth $400,000. In addition, the $300,000 San Diego H. (G2) on Saturday, the $200,000 Rancho Bernardo H. (G3) on August 18, and the $400,000 Del Mar Breeders' Cup Mile H. (G2) on August 26, all received $50,000 purse increases.

The San Diego is one of six stakes races that will be decided during the first five days of the meet. A pair of Grade 1 turf events -- the $400,000 John C. Mabee H. (G1) and the $400,000 Eddie Read H. (G1) -- highlight the opening weekend.

Other Grade 1 events are the $300,000 Bing Crosby H. on July 30 and the $250,000 Del Mar Debutante S. on September 4.

As usual, the season begins with the $100,000 Oceanside S. on opening day, which will be run in two divisions for the 18th straight year. The Oceanside, for three-year-olds at one mile on the Jimmy Durante Turf Course, is considered the initial local prep for the $400,000 Del Mar Derby (G2) on September 3.

Jeff Mullins returns to defend his 2005 training crown against seven-time titlist Bob Baffert, who has been denied the top spot the last two years. Baffert is currently tied with the legendary Charlie Whittingham with 74 stakes victories at Del Mar and figures to lead the list before the season gets very old.

The jockey colony boasts returning riding champ Victor Espinoza, along with former winners Patrick Valenzuela (five titles), Corey Nakatani (three), Alex Solis (two) and David Flores.

While the equine athletes are the focal point day in and day out, they will have to share the spotlight on opening day with the "One and Only Truly Fabulous Hats Contest," which features a parade of spectacular, and sometimes spectacularly wild, millinery.

The hat bash is just one of several special events on Del Mar's seven-week calendar. Among the others are "Daybreak at Del Mar" on all weekends and the closing day's popular "Party in the Paddock." British-born rocker Billy Idol is scheduled to perform in the infield on August 12.

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