Minor changes to Del Mar fall stakes schedule

DEL MAR, Calif. – Del Mar will run 14 stakes at its autumn meeting, which runs from Nov. 8 to Dec. 1, and has made minor changes to the stakes schedule from the corresponding meeting in 2018.

The distance of the $100,000 Desi Arnaz Stakes for 2-year-old fillies has been shortened from seven furlongs to 6 1/2 furlongs. The race will be run on Nov. 10.

There are nine graded stakes during the four-week meeting, with seven scheduled for Thanksgiving weekend, from Nov. 28 to Dec. 1, a format used in past years.

The Grade 1 Hollywood Derby for 3-year-olds at 1 1/8 miles on turf is one of three graded stakes on Nov. 30. The Dec. 1 closing day is highlighted by the Grade 1 Matriarch Stakes for fillies and mares at a mile on turf. The Hollywood Derby and Matriarch are worth $300,000 each, the richest races of the meeting.