Del Mar Days 7/31
by Emily Hufford


Greg's Gold © Emily Hufford 2005


Greg's Gold Outside the Winner's Circle © Emily Hufford 2005
Del Mar Days 7/31
by Emily Hufford

All the staff around the racetrack had been particularly looking forward to Sunday at Del Mar because of the excellent card of racing. Unfortunately, almost nothing went right, culminating in Greg's Gold's upset win in the Bing Crosby.

However, we all did get to see a new star on the horizon when Air Ace made his debut. All around the track people were speaking in hushed tones about the "long awaited debut" of Air Ace, who appeared to be your typical Bob Baffert first time starter - fast and well bred. The son of Forest Camp looked strikingly like his father, although taller, and he ran very impressively to beat a good group of two-year-olds.

Air Ace © Emily Hufford 2005

Lava Man in the Morning © Emily Hufford 2005

In the morning, Hollywood Gold Cup winner and possible Pacific Classic favorite Lava Man was walking outside trainer Doug O'Neil's barn when I passed, and the speedy California-bred filly Tucked Away was resting in her stall outside Patrick Gallagher's barn.

Three Degrees, the stable star, continued her exercise for the Del Mar Oaks, and the tempermental mare Festival pinned her ears at all who passed by. Both Festival and Tucked Away are pointing for the Clement L. Hirsch.

The Bing Crosby that afternoon was a very special event because the field was led onto the track by the extremely popular Kona Gold, the 2000 Breeders' Cup Sprint winner.


Tucked Away In Her Stall © Emily Hufford 2005

The gelding is a stable pony for Bruce Headley, and he was ridden around the paddock twice before leading the field onto the track and through the post parade. Decked out in elegant Western gear and with his regal head arched, Kona Gold hardly looked like the sprinting speed ball that he once was. In the mornings, this former star accompanies Headley's racehorses, as well as another former sprinting star, stablemate Son of a Pistol, to the track.

Greg's Gold looked phenomenal in the paddock, almost jumping out of his skin and striding confidently about the ring. Pico Central bled badly in the race, crossing the wire last.

Kona Gold Leading the Post Parade © Emily Hufford 2005