Stakes purses hit a record $7.15M
Del Mar has increased the purses of four graded stakes and created a turf stakes for California-breds for its upcoming meeting, which runs from July 19 to Sept. 6.
The 30-race stakes schedule will offer record purses of $7.15 million. Last year, the track offered 29 stakes worth a then-record $6.675 million.
The most significant increase is a $100,000 boost for the $400,000 Del Mar Oaks, a Grade 1 on Aug. 19. Three stakes were given $50,000 increases - the $300,000 San Diego Handicap on July 22, the $200,000 Rancho Bernardo Handicap on Aug. 18, and the $400,000 Del Mar Breeders' Cup Mile on Aug. 26. The Del Mar BC Mile, run on turf, was formerly named the Del Mar Breeders' Cup Handicap.
Del Mar's richest race is the $1 million Pacific Classic on Aug. 20.
The $125,000 California Dreamin' Handicap for California-breds at 1 1/16 miles on turf on Aug. 4 is a new addition to the schedule.
In a slight change to the schedule, the $250,000 Del Mar Debutante for 2-year-old fillies has been moved back a week, and will be run on Labor Day, Sept. 4. The $400,000 Del Mar Derby, run in recent years on Labor Day, will be run on Sept. 3.
The published schedule does not include 12 overnight races worth $85,000 each. The details of those races will be finalized in early summer, according to director of racing Tom Robbins.
2006 stakes schedule
| DATE | EVENT | CONDITIONS | DISTANCE | PURSE |
| Wed.,July 19 | Oceanside Stakes | 3YO | 1 mile (T) | $100,000 |
| Fri.,July 21 | CTBA Stakes | 2YO F* | 5 1/2 furlongs | 125,000 |
| Sat.,July 22 | John C. Mabee Handicap (G1) | F&M, 3YO & Up | 1 1/8 miles (T) | 400,000 |
| Sat.,July 22 | San Diego Handicap (G2) | 3YO & Up | 1 1/16 miles | 300,000 |
| Sun.,July 23 | Fleet Treat Stakes | 3YO F* | 7 furlongs | 100,000 |
| Sun.,July 23 | Eddie Read Handicap (G1) | 3YO & Up | 1 1/8 miles (T) | 400,000 |
| Wed.,July 26 | Graduation Stakes | 2YO* | 5 1/2 furlongs | 125,000 |
| Sat.,July 29 | San Clemente Handicap (G2) | 3YO F | 1 mile (T) | 150,000 |
| Sun.,July 30 | Bing Crosby Handicap (G1) | 3YO & Up | 6 furlongs | 300,000 |
| Fri.,Aug. 4 | California Dreamin' Handicap | 3YO & Up* | 1 1/16 miles (T) | 125,000 |
| Sat.,Aug. 5 | Sorrento Stakes (G3) | 2YO F | 6 1/2 furlongs | 150,000 |
| Sun.,Aug. 6 | Clement L. Hirsch Handicap (G2) | F&M, 3YO & Up | 1 1/16 miles | 300,000 |
| Fri.,Aug. 11 | Real Good Deal Stakes | 3YO* | 7 furlongs | 100,000 |
| Sat.,Aug. 12 | La Jolla Handicap (G2) | F&M, 3YO & Up | 1 1/16 miles | 150,000 |
| Sun.,Aug. 13 | Best Pal Stakes (G2) | 2YO | 6 1/2 furlongs | 150,000 |
| Fri.,Aug. 18 | Rancho Bernardo Handicap (G3) | F&M, 3YO & Up | 6 1/2 furlongs | 200,000 |
| Sat.,Aug. 19 | Del Mar Oaks (G1) | 3YO F | 1 1/8 miles (T) | 400,000 |
| Sun.,Aug. 20 | Pacific Classic (G1) | 3YO & Up | 1 1/4 miles | 1,000,000 |
| Sun.,Aug. 20 | Pat O'Brien BC Handicap (G2) | 3YO & Up | 7 furlongs | 300,000 |
| Sat.,Aug. 26 | Del Mar BC Mile (G2) | 3YO & Up | 1 mile (T) | 400,000 |
| Sun.,Aug. 27 | Del Mar Handicap (G2) | 3YO & Up | 1 3/8 miles (T) | 250,000 |
| Wed.,Aug. 30 | Generous Portion Stakes | 2YO F* | 6 furlongs | 100,000 |
| Fri.,Sept. 1 | Torrey Pines Stakes | 3YO F | 1 mile | 100,000 |
| Sat.,Sept. 2 | El Cajon Stakes | 3YO | 1 mile | 100,000 |
| Sat.,Sept. 2 | Palomar BC Handicap (G2) | F&M, 3YO & Up | 1 1/16 miles (T) | 200,000 |
| Sun.,Sept. 3 | Solana Beach Handicap | F&M, 3YO & Up* | 1 mile (T) | 125,000 |
| Sun.,Sept. 3 | Del Mar Derby (G2) | 3YO | 1 1/8 miles (T) | 400,000 |
| Mon.,Sept. 4 | Del Mar Debutante (G1) | 2YO F | 7 furlongs | 250,000 |
| Mon.,Sept. 4 | I'm Smokin Stakes | 2YO* | 6 furlongs | 100,000 |
| Wed.,Sept. 6 | Del Mar Futurity (G2) | 2YO | 7 furlongs | 250,000 |
*Cal.-breds