Stakes purses at meet worth record $6.7 million
ARCADIA, Calif. - Del Mar has increased the purses of three major stakes and moved one stakes from the main track to turf for its upcoming meeting, which runs from July 20 to Sept. 7.
The meeting offers 29 major stakes worth a record total of $6,675,000.
The Grade 2 Del Mar Breeders' Cup Handicap over a mile has been switched to turf and will be worth $350,000, an increase of $100,000 from 2004. In recent years, the race has struggled to draw a decent field on the main track. The change is designed to draw from the strong cast of turf milers in Southern California.
The two major sprints at the meeting - the Bing Crosby Breeders' Cup Handicap over six furlongs and the Pat O'Brien Breeders' Cup Handicap over seven furlongs - will be worth $300,000, the highest ever for both races.
The Bing Crosby purse has been increased $50,000, and the Pat O'Brien has been increased $100,000.
Two stakes previously run as overnight races for 3-year-olds on dirt - the Torrey Pines Stakes for fillies and the open El Cajon Stakes - have had their purses increased to $100,000.
2005 stakes schedule
| DATE | EVENT | CONDITIONS | DISTANCE | PURSE |
| Wed.,July 20 | Oceanside Stakes | 3YO | 1 mile (T) | $100,000 |
| Fri.,July 22 | CTBA Stakes | 2YO F* | 5 1/2 furlongs | 125,000 |
| Sat.,July 23 | John C. Mabee Handicap (G1) | F&M, 3YO & Up | 1 1/8 miles (T) | 400,000 |
| Sat.,July 23 | Fleet Treat Stakes | 3YO F* | 7 furlongs | 100,000 |
| Sun.,July 24 | San Diego Handicap (G2) | 3YO & Up | 1 1/16 miles | 250,000 |
| Sun.,July 24 | Eddie Read Handicap (G1) | 3YO & U | 1 1/8 miles (T) | 400,000 |
| Wed.,July 27 | Graduation Stakes | 2YO* | 5 1/2 furlongs | 125,000 |
| Sat.,July 30 | San Clemente Handicap (G2) | 3YO F | 1 mile (T) | 150,000 |
| Sun.,July 31 | Bing Crosby Handicap (G1) | 3YO & Up | 6 furlongs | 300,000 |
| Sat.,Aug. 6 | Sorrento Stakes (G3) | 2YO F | 6 1/2 furlongs | 150,000 |
| Sun.,Aug. 7 | Clement L. Hirsch Handicap (G2) | F&M, 3YO & Up | 1 1/16 miles | 300,000 |
| Fri.,Aug. 12 | Real Good Deal Stakes | 3YO* | 7 furlongs | 100,000 |
| Sat.,Aug. 13 | La Jolla Handicap (G2) | 3YO | 1 1/16 miles (T) | 150,000 |
| Sun.,Aug. 14 | Best Pal Stakes (G2) | 2YO | 6 1/2 furlongs | 150,000 |
| Fri.,Aug. 19 | Rancho Bernardo Handicap (G3) | F&M, 3YO & Up | 6 1/2 furlongs | 150,000 |
| Sat.,Aug. 20 | Del Mar Oaks (G1) | 3YO F | 1 1/8 miles (T) | 300,000 |
| Sun.,Aug. 21 | Pacific Classic (G1) | 3YO & Up | 1 1/4 miles | 1,000,000 |
| Sun.,Aug. 21 | Pat O'Brien B.C. Handicap (G2) | 3YO & Up | 7 furlongs | 300,000 |
| Sat.,Aug. 27 | Del Mar Debutante (G1) | 2YO F | 7 furlongs | 250,000 |
| Sun.,Aug. 28 | Del Mar Handicap (G2) | 3YO & Up | 1 3/8 miles (T) | 250,000 |
| Wed.,Aug. 31 | Generous Portion Stakes | 2YO F* | 6 furlongs | 100,000 |
| Fri.,Sept. 2 | Torrey Pines Stakes | 3YO F | One Mile | 100,000 |
| Sat.,Sept. 3 | El Cajon Stakes | 3YO | One Mile | 100,000 |
| Sat.,Sept. 3 | Palomar B.C. Handicap (G2) | F&M, 3YO & Up | 1 1/16 miles (T) | 200,000 |
| Sun.,Sept. 4 | Solana Beach Handicap | F&M, 3YO & Up* | 1 mile (T) | 125,000 |
| Sun.,Sept. 4 | Del Mar B.C. Handicap (G2) | 3YO & Up | 1 mile (T) | 350,000 |
| Mon.,Sept. 5 | I'm Smokin Stakes | 2YO* | 6 furlongs | 100,000 |
| Mon.,Sept. 5 | Del Mar Derby (G2) | 3YO | 1 1/8 miles (T) | 400,000 |
| Wed.,Sept. 7 | Del Mar Futurity (G2) | 2YO | 7 furlongs | 250,000 |
*Cal-bred