Del Mar Racing Canceled Due to Rain; Major Schedule Changes Announced

UPDATE: Del Mar officials have just canceled Saturday’s horse racing card due to heavy rain, marking the first rainout since August 20, 2023. This urgent decision has major implications for the racing schedule, with Friday’s first post now moved to noon instead of 12:30 p.m.

The highly anticipated $100,000 Desi Arnaz Stakes for 2-year-old fillies has been rescheduled to Sunday, switching to an all-main-track format. Notably, the Bob Hope Stakes for 2-year-olds will now take place on Friday, November 21. This change impacts fans and participants alike, as Del Mar has not seen a rainout for a Southern California thoroughbred program since Santa Anita canceled racing on March 30 and 31, 2024.

With rain affecting the card, Del Mar’s decision reflects a broader trend in the industry, where cancellations have become more common following a spike in fatal injuries linked to racing in wet conditions since early 2019.

As for the upcoming stakes, the Desi Arnaz Stakes features a rematch between Himika, trained by Bob Baffert and ridden by Juan Hernandez, and Revera from John Sadler’s barn, with Antonio Fresu aboard. Each contender holds a significant record, making this race a must-watch for fans.

Meanwhile, Los Alamitos has yet to confirm whether its Saturday and Sunday night races will proceed, raising questions among avid horse racing enthusiasts.

In recent developments, the horse racing community mourns the loss of two horses, Tame the Tiger and Cayce in Gray, both euthanized after sustaining injuries during training at Los Alamitos. This tragic news comes as the California Horse Racing Board reported a total of 29 horse fatalities across racing and training this season, a number that remains concerning yet shows a gradual decrease from last year.

On a brighter note, the California racing scene is buzzing with excitement over the announcement that the 12-year-old stallion Collected will move to Rancho San Miguel for the 2026 breeding season, standing at $7,500 per live foal. Airdrie Stud president Bret Jones stated, “Collected has been an absolutely rock-solid Kentucky sire, and he now has the opportunity to stand as California’s premier stallion.”

Additionally, jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. is making headlines with his return to the track after a severe injury. He scored an allowance-level victory Wednesday at Churchill Downs, marking a triumphant comeback for the rider who faced a life-threatening accident in September.

As the industry continues to grapple with these developments, racing fans are encouraged to stay tuned for updates on the restructured schedules and the impact of the weather on upcoming events. The excitement and unpredictability of horse racing remain alive, even amidst challenges.

For more updates, keep checking back as the situation develops.