Del
Mar Days, 7/19
by Emily Hufford
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Because of the intense popularity
of Turf Angels.com's Kentucky Derby and Preakness coverage, I have
decided to give a daily coverage of Del Mar racetrack a try. If
you enjoy this series, let me know, and I will continue it.
Tomorrow is opening day at the seaside racetrack, and while it looks more ready than it did yesterday, I can still hardly believe that 40,000 fans are going to pack into the track in less than 24 hours. Trainers and owners still need their parking passes, maintenance crews are still sanding and painting the front gates, and there is still an army of gardeners who are carefully planting a million dollars worth of flowers around the grounds. I know that tomorrow the racetrack will look perfect, but I will hardly be able to believe my own eyes. This morning I set off to the backside to do a little digging into the minds of the trainers of the top horses who call Del Mar their summer home. On my way, I ran into an entourage of Richard Mandella trainees who were on their way to school in the paddock. Rock Hard Ten led the group, as imposing as ever, and behind him came Laura's Lucky Boy, frisky in the early morning fog. |
Behind the pair came Mr. Mandella himself, ponying El Roblar, who will run in the opening day stakes race, the Oceanside Stakes. El Roblar looks about a foot taller than the last time I saw him (although I know this cannot be true), and his regal head took my breath away. He is the most impressive horse I saw this morning, physically at least. My first stop was at the barn of Doug O'Neill, who hadn't yet arrived himself. Cee's Irish rested comfortably in an outside pen while Hollywood Gold Cup winner Lava Man walked the shedrow under the watchful eye of a playful Harvard Avenue. I then headed over to the barn of John Shirreffs and to my delight, Kentucky Derby winner Giacomo was out being walked. No white cast wrapped his recently injured legs, and I am thrilled to say that he is looking as fantastic as ever. I was fortunate enough to meet the filly Charm the Giant, who will run in the San Clemente Stakes next weekend. A Ron McAnally trainee, the daughter of Giant's Causeway is out of the top mare Olympic Charmer. In the stall next door is Solar Echo, and down the aisle a little ways is Sweet Return. After visiting several more barns, I passed an outside pen that housed a tiny chestnut mare with a white stripe. All at once I knew it had to be Megahertz. |
 Giacomo at Del Mar © Emily Hufford 2005 |
 Charm the Giant © Emily Hufford 2005 |
 McAnally Trainee Solar Echo © Emily Hufford 2005 |
Sure enough, I was correct. The sweet mare tugged anxiously at her stall tie and she looks awesome. It is amazing to see how small she is and yet know that somewhere in there is a heart of gold.
My last stop was Kristin Mulhall's barn to visit with her new eight week old puppy. The puppy frisked about with a spindle of vet wrap and then dragged it into the stall of a heavily muscled gray horse. I was impressed by the bulk on the horse's neck while trying to get the puppy out of the stall, until I realized that it was Imperialism. "He's gained about a hundred pounds!" I told Kristin, quite shocked, and she just laughed and nodded. "Yep!"
On my way off the track I nearly ran into Three Degrees heading over for exercise, and her trainer, Patrick Gallagher, said she is pointing for the Del Mar Oaks.
Until Opening Day!
