Tag: San Diego Handicap

Country Grammer fired a bullet in this July 24 workout at Del Mar. He's the 5/2 favorite for the Grade 2 San Diego Handicap in his first US race in 14 months. (Image: Ernie Belmonte)

San Diego Handicap Punches Above It’s Weight as Pacific Classic Prep

- 3 min read

The Grade 2 San Diego Handicap is considered the major prep for Del Mar’s flagship race: the Grade 1 Pacific Classic. But you can be forgiven if you mistake this nine-horse field for what lies ahead Labor Day weekend in the Pacific Classic. And that’s not only because defending Pacific […]

Del Mar's opening-day crowd wagered its way to a record handle. Large field sizes helped the track to a record opening weekend handle. (Image: Benoit Photo)

With Large Field Sizes, Del Mar Sets Opening Weekend Handle Records

- 2 min read

The first weekend of racing at Del Mar put to rest the fallacy that West Coast racing is synonymous with small fields and weak handles. Instead, Del Mar clocked record handles and field sizes that are the envy of any North American track. The seaside track north of San Diego set […]

Del Mar opens its 2021 summer season July 17. The San Diego-area track offers 34 stakes races worth $6.75 million. (Image: Del Mar Thoroughbred Club)

Del Mar Continues Purse-Boosting Binge, Announces Stakes Slate

- 3 min read

With the Breeders’ Cup providing the year’s finishing touch for the first time since 2017, Del Mar announced a 2021 summer stakes schedule featuring a 30% purse increase over 2020. Some of the purse boost comes from two stakes returning from a 2020 hiatus – the Grade 3 Cougar II […]

Midcourt's last victory came in February's San Pasqual Stakes. He is odds-on to repeat as Native Diver Stakes champion. (Image: Benoit Photo)

With Better Rivals Retired, Midcourt Ready to Hold Court in Native Diver

- 3 min read

There is no Maximum Security or Improbable to trouble Midcourt this time. This time, being Saturday’s Native Diver Stakes at Del Mar, where Midcourt is the trouble. Midcourt is the one to beat in the $100,000 Grade 3 Native Diver Stakes. The 1-1/8-mile jaunt for older horses sends a condensed […]

Maximum Security (left) held off Midcourt by a nose to win the San Diego Handicap. The 4-year-old colt is a 5/1 favorite to win the Breeders' Cup Classic. (Image: Benoit Photo)

Maximum Security Passes His First Test Back By a Nose

- 3 min read

All the pieces were in place to beat Maximum Security. He had a new jockey, a new trainer, a new track he hadn’t seen before — one that some of the best horses of their generations couldn’t figure out. And yet, while Saturday’s San Diego Handicap was the best opportunity […]

Maximum Security survived an inquiry to win last year's Haskell Invitational. He returns to the gate for the first time in five months at Saturday's Grade 2 San Diego Handicap at Del Mar. (Image: Equi-Photo)

Maximum Security’s Return Casts Big Shadow Over San Diego Handicap

- 3 min read

As hard as it is to fathom, given his dominance over major races, there are races Bob Baffert can’t solve. So in true Baffert form, for one of those races — the San Diego Handicap — Baffert is calling in maximum reinforcements. He’s bringing in Maximum Security, who makes his […]