Derby up to $400k
Del Mar has increased the value of three major races for its 43-day 2004 meeting, which runs from July 21 to Sept. 8. The meet will offer record stakes purses of $6,325,000.
The largest increase is for the Grade 2 Del Mar Derby, to be run Sept. 6 at 1 1/8 miles on turf with a purse of $400,000 - a rise of $100,000 from recent years.
The Bing Crosby Breeders' Cup Handicap over six furlongs on July 25 has been awarded Grade 1 status and has been increased by $50,000, to $250,000. The American Graded Stakes Committee announced last year that all Grade 1 races must carry a minimum purse of $250,000.
The Pat O'Brien Breeders' Cup Handicap over seven furlongs on Aug. 15, the meeting's second major sprint, has been increased by $50,000, to $200,000.
The richest race of the meeting again will be the $1 million Pacific Classic, on Aug. 22.
There are six Grade 1 stakes, including three at 1 1/8 miles on the turf course * the $400,000 John Mabee Handicap for fillies and mares on July 24, the $400,000 Eddie Read Handicap on July 25, and the $300,000 Del Mar Oaks for 3-year-old fillies on Aug. 21.
Last year, the Del Mar Oaks was run on the same day as the Pacific Classic, but this year the Oaks will be the feature race on a program that includes the Rancho Bernardo Handicap for female sprinters.
2004 Del Mar Park stakes schedule
| DATE | EVENT | CONDITIONS | DISTANCE | PURSE |
| Wed.July 21 | OCEANSIDE STAKES | 3YO | 1 Mile (T) | $100,000 |
| Fri.July 23 | CTBA STAKES | 2YO F* | 5 1/2 Furlongs | 125,000 |
| Sat.July 24 | JOHN C. MABEE HCP. (G1) | F&M, 3YO & Up | 1 1/8 Miles (T) | 400,000 |
| Sat.July 24 | FLEET TREAT STAKES | 3YO F* | 7 Furlongs | 100,000 |
| Sun.July 25 | BING CROSBY BC HCP. (G1) | 3YO & Up | 6 Furlongs | 250,000 |
| Sun.July 25 | EDDIE READ HCP. (G1) | 3YO & Up | 1 1/8 Miles (T) | 400,000 |
| Wed.July 28 | GRADUATION STAKES | 2YO* | 5 1/2 Furlongs | 125,000 |
| Sat.July 31 | SAN CLEMENTE HCP. (G2) | 3YO F | 1 Mile (T) | 150,000 |
| Sun.Aug. 1 | SAN DIEGO HCP. (G2) | 3YO & Up | 1 1/16 Miles | 250,000 |
| Fri. Aug. 6 | REAL GOOD DEAL STAKES | 3YO* | 7 Furlongs | 100,000 |
| Sat.Aug. 7 | SORRENTO STAKES (G3) | 2YO F | 6 1/2 Furlongs | 150,000 |
| Sun.Aug. 8 | CLEMENT L. HIRSCH HCP. (G2) | F&M, 3YO & Up | 1 1/16 Miles | 300,000 |
| Sat.Aug. 14 | LA JOLLA HCP. (G2) | 3YO | 1 1/16 Miles (T) | 150,000 |
| Sun.Aug. 15 | PAT O'BRIEN BC HCP. (G2) | 3YO & Up | 7 Furlongs | 200,000 |
| Sun.Aug. 15 | BEST PAL STAKES (G2) | 2YO | 6 1/2 Furlongs | 150,000 |
| Sat.Aug. 21 | RANCHO BERNARDO HCP. (G3) | F&M, 3YO & Up | 6 1/2 Furlongs | 150,000 |
| Sat.Aug. 21 | DEL MAR OAKS (G1) | 3YO F | 1 1/8 Miles (T) | 300,000 |
| Sun.Aug. 22 | PACIFIC CLASSIC (G1) | 3YO & Up | 1 1/4 Miles | 1,000,000 |
| Sat.Aug. 28 | DEL MAR DEBUTANTE (G1) | 2YO F | 7 Furlongs | 250,000 |
| Sun.Aug. 29 | DEL MAR HCP. (G2) | 3YO & Up | 1 3/8 Miles (T) | 250,000 |
| Wed.Sept. 1 | GENEROUS PORTION STAKES | 2YO F* | 6 Furlongs | 100,000 |
| Sat.Sept. 4 | PALOMAR BC HCP. (G2) | F&M, 3YO & Up | 1 1/16 Miles (T) | 200,000 |
| Sun.Sept. 5 | SOLANA BEACH HCP. | F&M, 3YO & Up* | 1 Mile (T) | 125,000 |
| Sun.Sept. 5 | DEL MAR BC HCP. (G2) | 3YO & Up | 1 Mile | 250,000 |
| Mon.Sept. 6 | DEL MAR DERBY (G2) | 3YO | 1 1/8 Miles (T) | 400,000 |
| Mon.Sept. 6 | I'M SMOKIN STAKES | 2YO* | 6 Furlongs | 100,000 |
| Wed.Sept. 8 | DEL MAR FUTURITY (G2) | 2YO | 7 Furlongs | 250,000 |
* California-breds