The Running Horse (http://www.isd1.com)TWO OCEANSIDE STAKES DIVISIONS HIGHLIGHT DEL MAR'S OPENING DAY
Ten horses in each division of the Oceanside Stakes are expected to go postward as Del Mar celebrates the opening of its 60th anniversary year. If all go in each division of the race for 3-year-olds at one mile on the Jimmy Durante Turf Course, the races will be worth $111,312.50, with the winner's share in each case being $71,312.25. For any scratches, subtract $500 from each figure.
STEVENS BROTHERS SET FOR TWO FACE-TO-FACE MEETINGS
Jockeys Scott Stevens and his younger brother, Gary, who is headed for induction into the Hall of Fame on August 4 at Saratoga Springs, N.Y., are scheduled to ride against each other twice on Del Mar's opening-day card today.
Scott Stevens, 36, who has been riding at Turf Paradise in Phoenix, will face off first with Gary, who is 33, in the day's fourth race as they go into the gate side by side, Scott in Post 1 aboard Tramp Harbor and Gary in 2 on Sydney Harbour, both 2-year-olds.Their second competition for the day comes in the eighth race, the second division of the Oceanside Stakes, as Gary rides Sir Ken, making his North American debut, and Scott rides Coyote Lakes.
Scott, who won the riding title several times at both Canterbury Downs in Minnesota and Phoenix's Turf Paradise and intends to ride the entire Del Mar meet, said of riding with his brother: "It'll be good just to be together." Both he and Gary agree that they not only are brothers but friends, too, and Gary credits his brother with being both his coach and his inspiration.
Scott recalled that he rode a full Del Mar meet last in 1986, when the Orange County Fair races were being run at Los Alamitos at the same time. "I'd ride here during the day and ride at Los Alamitos at night," he said.
ELEVEN CAL-BRED FILLIES ENTERED FOR FRIDAY'S CTBA STAKES
A field of 11 2-year-old fillies bred in California is set to go to the post in the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association Stakes on Friday at Del Mar. If all 11 start, the purse will be $112,200, with the winner receiving $72,200.
Post time for the day's first race will be 4 p.m. as Del Mar celebrates the first of its four straight "Four O'Clock Fridays."
Heading the field as high weight with 120 pounds is Robert and Glo Klinger's Czarina, who has been racing in Northern California. She's trained by Lloyd Mason and will be ridden by Corey Nakatani, who won the 1995 CTBA Stakes aboard Molistar.
Here's the way they'll line up for the 44th running of the six-furlong dash, from the rail, including weights and riders: Raspberry Pointe, 114, Kent Desormeaux; Rattle My Nerves, 117, Rene Douglas; Nijinsky's Passion, 114, Corey Black; Glens Falls, 114, Goncalino Almeida; Java Junkie, 114, Laffit Pincay Jr.; Maestra Mia, 114, Ryan Barber; Czarina, 120, Corey Nakatani; Dereks Baby Girl, 117, Martin Pedroza; Truly Safe, 114, David Flores; No Decision Made, 114, Eddie Delahoussaye; Bountiful Blast, 114, Alex Solis.
TRACK SET FOR SEASON'S FIRST "FOUR O'CLOCK FRIDAY" CARD
Del Mar will observe its first "Four O'Clock Friday" session this Friday. That means post time for the first race for the seaside track's popular feature is 4 p.m.
The "Four O'Clock Friday" get-together, now in its third year, covers the first four Fridays of the meet only. After that, first post on Friday returns to the regular 2 p.m. hour. On the 4 o'clock days, the gates will open at 2.
Following the races on those days, rock bands will perform in the Plaza de Mexico just inside the track's main grandstand gate. This Friday's band will be the "Doors" cover band "Wild Child," which will be sponsored by radio station 101 KGB.
"ROCKING CHAIR" VETS VELASQUEZ, HARMATZ IN TRAINING
Danny Velasquez, who stays fit for riding by training from his pony, andBill Harmatz, both veterans of Del Mar's popular "Rocking Chair Derby" for retired riders, already are looking forward to this year's annual feature, to be held on Saturday, September 6.
Velasquez and Harmatz are regulars for the "Derby" but they haven't had much luck lately, as Ray York has captured the betless exhibition race the past two years, leading him to lay claim to being the only jockey to win the Kentucky Derby and the "Rocking Chair Derby." He rode Determine to victory in the 1954 Derby.
Harmatz, who lives in nearby Vista and owns and operates a recreation center that includes a bowling alley, gallops horses for his old buddy, trainer Bill Shoemaker, during the Del Mar meet in order to get in shape for the "Derby."
SHORE LINES -- Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Silver Charm arrived at the Bob Baffert barn Tuesday. He'll stay there throughout the meet, Baffert says, allowing him to keep a close eye on the gray colt, whose racing year has ended, but who is expected to return to training later in preparation for his 4-year-old season. ... Last year's meet-winning trainer -- Mike Mitchell -- jockey -- Alex Solis -- and owner -- La Presle Farm -- will be honored during opening-day ceremonies following the fifth race of the day. ... Recent sharp works: Monday -- Irish Courage and Miss Moonwaki, :47 3/5 for a half-mile; Refried Dreams, :57 4/5 for 5 furlongs; Tuesday -- G Malleah, :46 3/5 for a half-mile; High Stakes Player, :58 3/5 for 5 furlongs.
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