DEL MAR PREVIEW: SPAWR WAGON FILLS UP TRACK.Byline: Kevin Modesti Staff Writer DEL MAR Del Mar is the name of several places in the United States of America:
Spawr has been a consistently high-percentage winner for years at Del Mar, with a penchant for big opening weeks, so his horses are bet enthusiastically. The 63-year-old Bell native will be the busiest trainer this afternoon, saddling runners in three of the nine races on the 2 p.m. card that includes split divisions of the Oceanside Stakes. ``It's probably a more prestigious (track) than other places,'' Spawr said on the phone from Del Mar in explaining why he seems to be a little more active during this 43-day meet. ``All of my (horse) owners come down here on vacation. I also have a lot of owners who live down here, and they like to run their horses and bring their friends out.'' Spawr, 63, was Del Mar's leading trainer in 1990 with 14 victories (tied with D. Wayne Lukas Darrell Wayne Lukas (born September 2, 1935 in Antigo, Wisconsin) is a former educator who became one of the most successful horse trainers in American Thoroughbred horse racing history and a U.S. Racing Hall of Fame inductee. and Richard Mandella) and 1994 with 19 and runner-up to Bob Baffert in 2002 with 16. His familiar Bermuda shorts went to the winner's circle six times in the six-day opening week in 2001 and five times in 2002. On an opening-day program that's expected to draw more than 30,000 fans to the track, all three of Spawr's horses are ridden by Mike Smith and all three are contenders. Desert Bloom (first race) is a 3-year-old making his first start since Spawr claimed him for owners Sid and Jenny Craig and gave him a two-month break, the trainer's pet maneuver. Spawr said the colt's workouts have been ``scary.'' Pammy N' Cami (fourth) lost at higher claiming levels at Hollywood Park but drops to $12,500 and should control the pace. Go Max Go (ninth) debuts in a 5 1/2-furlong maiden-claiming race some fast workouts, and front-running speed rules that sprint distance. Spawr cautioned he might not win as often - or as early - as in past years. ``I don't have as many horses,'' said Spawr, whose 30-horse barn is dominated by claimers. ``I think we might finish the (meet) better than we start it.'' Baffert will be favored to win a seventh consecutive training title and match Farrell Jones' Del Mar-record streak. Kevin Modesti, (818) 713-3616 heymodesti(at)aol.com DEL MAR AT A GLANCE --Schedule: Today through Sept. 10. No racing on Tuesdays. --Major races: $400,000 John C. Mabee Handicap The John C. Mabee Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race contested each summer at the Del Mar Racetrack in Del Mar, California. The race, known as the Ramona Handicap through 2001, is an important prep race for the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf. (formerly Ramona Handicap), Saturday; $400,000 Eddie Read Handicap The Eddie Read Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race for horses age three and up and is raced at a distance of one and one-eighth miles on the turf. The Del Mar Racetrack in Del Mar, California hosts the $400,000, Grade I event, which is an important prep to the Breeders' , Sunday; $250,000 San Diego Handicap The San Diego Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually at Del Mar Racetrack in Del Mar, California. The race is open to horses, age three and up, willing to race one and one-sixteenth miles on the dirt. The race carries a purse of 300,000. , Aug. 3; $1 million Pacific Classic, Aug. 24; $300,000Del Mar Oaks The Del Mar Oaks is an American Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-old fillies. The race carries a purse of $400,000 and is a Grade I event at a distance of one and one-eighth miles (9 furlongs) on the turf at the Del Mar Racetrack in Del Mar, California. , Aug. 24; $300,000 Del Mar Derby The Del Mar Derby is an American thoroughbred horse race run each year at Del Mar Racetrack in Del Mar, California. The race is open to horses of either gender, age three, willing to race one and one-eighth miles on the turf. , Sept. 6; $250,000 Del Mar Futurity The Del Mar Futurity is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually at Del Mar Racetrack in Del Mar, California. Beginning in the racing season of 2007, this race has been upgraded by the American Graded Stakes Committee from a Grade II event to a Grade I. , Sept. 10. --Getting there: From Los Angeles, take San Diego Freeway The San Diego Freeway (Interstate 405, and the part of Interstate 5 south of the El Toro Y[1]) is one of the principal north-south highways in Southern California, and the major beltway of I-5 running through Southern California. (405 and 5) south and Via de la Valle exit to the right. --Scratches and results: (626) 446-8501 and dmtc.com CAPTION(S): box Box: DEL MAR AT A GLANCE (see text) |
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