Del Mar Thoroughbred Club announced a 5 percent purse increase effective
immediately and retroactive to the start of the 2005 season on July 20. The
raise, which reflects strong pari-mutuel handle numbers through the first five
weeks of the seven-week meet, will affect all overnight races and overnight
stakes, but not the track’s schedule of 29 major stakes races.
Through Sunday’s Pacific Classic Day card — day 29 of the 43-day season —
the daily average handle at the meet was $13,947,266, an increase of 4.9 percent
over last year’s record daily handle of $13,497,260. This year’s numbers have
been bolstered by an on-track handle increase of 4.7 percent. The average field
size has remained constant with 2004 at 8.3 horses per race.
“We are delighted to be able to reward our horsemen for their support of
racing at Del Mar,” said DMTC President and General Manager Joe Harper. “The
numbers speak for themselves and should remain strong through the balance of the
meet due to the fact that closing day falls on the Wednesday immediately
following Labor Day.”
In 2004, Del Mar recorded a record total handle of $580,382,206.