Del Mar handle down slightly, field sizes up at summer meet
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DEL MAR, Calif. – Del Mar showed a slight decline in all-sources handle at its 31-day summer meeting that ended on Sunday, according to figures compiled by Daily Racing Form.
Handle on races run at Del Mar decreased 1.4 percent to $355,719,467 from $360,944,231 at the corresponding meeting in 2024. The 2022 summer meeting had handle of more than $439.6 million on races run at Del Mar, compared to $391.8 million in 2023. The figures do not include simulcasting conducted in conjunction with race days or on days without live racing.
Average daily handle this summer on races run at Del Mar was more than $11.4 million, compared to $11.6 million in 2024.
In a statement published on Sunday evening, Del Mar cited total handle of $535.1 million for the season compared to $501.5 million for last year's corresponding meet. Those figures include simulcasting on race days and on days without live racing.
Revenue from simulcasting helped boost Del Mar's purses. The track cited an average daily purse distribution of $884,000 for the 2025 summer meeting. Purses rose this year compared to 2024 and were the highest since 2022. Total purse distribution was $23.6 million this year compared to $22.2 million in 2024, according to DRF data. In 2022, total purse distribution was $23.8 million.
The three Southern California tracks – Del Mar, Los Alamitos, and Santa Anita, the only ones remaining in the state – have had higher overnight purses this year following the cessation of racing in Northern California last December. A portion of handle from simulcasting or account-wagering sources from Northern California has been redirected to Southern California purses. Those monies would have previously gone to purses at Northern California meetings.
The Del Mar summer meeting that ended on Sunday showed an increase in field size. Del Mar ran an average of 8.67 horses in 292 races this summer compared to 8.56 runners in 290 races in 2024. In 2023, fields averaged 8.92 runners.
“Overall, we’re really pleased,” said track president Josh Rubinstein, citing an increase in overall handle and field sizes.
The slight growth in field size was a contrast to summer meetings at Ellis Park and Saratoga. Ellis Park averaged 8.22 runners in 227 races this year compared to 8.5 runners in 228 races in 2024. Field sizes were lower at Saratoga this year, with an average of 7.62 runners in 420 races. In 2024, Saratoga averaged 7.92 runners in 412 races.
Those tracks are susceptible to adverse weather, which can affect field sizes when dirt tracks are wet or when rain forces grass races to be run on dirt. Del Mar did not have any weather-related disruptions.
On the track, trainer Bob Baffert and jockey Juan Hernandez led their respective categories. Baffert won 24 races, six more than Mark Glatt and Peter Miller, who tied for second. Baffert has won 10 training titles at Del Mar summer meetings, dating back to 1997.
Hernandez won 45 races, eight more than Antonio Fresu. Hernandez has won six riding titles at Del Mar, including five consecutive titles at summer and fall meetings, beginning in the summer of 2023. He has been leading rider at the last four summer meetings.
Mia Famila Racing, the stable name of trainer Librado Barocio, led all owners with six wins. Fierceness was named horse of the meeting in a media poll on the strength of his win in the Grade 1 Pacific Classic on Aug. 30.
Del Mar resumes racing on Oct. 30 for a five-week autumn meeting that includes the Breeders’ Cup races on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1.
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