description Del Mar Derby Overview
The Del Mar Derby is a Grade II Thoroughbred stakes race for three-year-old horses held on turf at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in Del Mar, California. First run in 1945 under a different name and on dirt, it became the Del Mar Derby in 1948 and moved to turf in 1970. The current race is contested over 1 1/8 miles and is part of Del Mar's series of summer turf races for three-year-olds.
help Del Mar Derby FAQ
What is the Del Mar Derby and when is it run?
The Del Mar Derby is a Grade II Thoroughbred stakes race for three-year-olds held during the summer meet at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in Del Mar, California. It is one of the track's signature events for the sophomore turf division.
What distance and surface does the Del Mar Derby use?
It is run at about a mile and an eighth (nine furlongs) on the turf course, which at Del Mar is named after entertainer Jimmy Durante. The turf condition makes it a key West Coast target for three-year-old grass horses.
How long has the Del Mar Derby been run, and has it changed?
The race dates back to 1945, when it was first run under a different name on the dirt. It became the Del Mar Derby in 1948 and moved to the turf in 1970, where it has remained a grass fixture ever since.
Can older horses or fillies run in the Del Mar Derby?
No, the race is restricted to three-year-olds, which is standard for 'Derby' designated stakes. Fillies have their own counterpart at the meet in the Del Mar Oaks, the summer's premier turf event for three-year-old fillies.
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