Del Mar trims stakes purses

Stakes purses for the 2010 Del Mar meeting have been cut by 10 percent for the upcoming meeting, which runs from July 21 to Sept. 8, with 24 stakes being reduced in value from $10,000 to $50,000.

The track's signature race, the $1 million Pacific Classic on Aug. 28, has not been cut and is now the only seven-figure Thoroughbred purse in California. The Pacific Classic purse was enhanced by a financial commitment from TVG, which has become a title sponsor, according to Del Mar officials. The Santa Anita Handicap was cut from $1 million to $750,000 for this year's running.

Overall, the 42-race stakes program at Del Mar will be worth $7.1 million, down from $7.9 million in 2009.

Del Mar cut the purses of 11 overnight stakes from $85,000 to $75,000, and reduced the value of 13 major stakes. The purses of 11 races were cut by $50,000 each - the Eddie Read Stakes, San Diego Handicap, Bing Crosby Stakes, Del Mar Oaks, Rancho Bernardo Handicap, Del Mar Mile, Del Mar Handicap, Darley Debutante, Del Mar Derby, Palomar Handicap, and Del Mar Futurity.

The John Mabee Stakes was cut by $100,000, to $250,000. The Cougar II Handicap was cut $25,000, to $125,000.

The track has rearranged the dates of several stakes run in late August and early September. Last year, the track grouped 13 stakes on the final five days of the meeting, but this year will run 11 stakes over that span.

The Pacific Classic was run on the final Sunday of the meeting last year, but this year will be held on the second-to-last Saturday, the same day as the Pat O'Brien and Del Mar Mile. In addition, the Del Mar Futurity has been moved back to its traditional spot, closing day, Wednesday, Sept. 8. In 2009, the Del Mar Futurity was run on Labor Day.

Correction: An earlier version of this article misstated the day the Pacific Classic will be run. It is the second-to-last Saturday of the meet, not the second-to-last Sunday.