OUT OF THE GATE

DEL MAR LEADERS Through Thursday JOCKEYS / WINS

Umberto Rispoli / 6 Juan Hernandez / 5 Hector Berrios / 4 Three tied / 3

TRAINERS / WINS

Philip D’amato / 5 Doug O’neill / 5 Bob Baffert / 4 Bob Hess Jr. / 3 Leonard Powell / 3

WEEKEND STAKES DEL MAR Today

• $100,000 Daisycytter Handicap, fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up, 5 furlongs (turf)

Saturday

• $400,000 Grade I Bing Crosby Stakes, 3-yearolds and up, 6 furlongs

• $300,000 Grade II San Diego Handicap, 3-yearolds and up, 1 1/16 miles Sunday

• $250,000 Grade II Eddie Read Stakes, 3-year-olds and up, 11/8 miles (turf)

DOWN THE STRETCH

• Del Mar racing secretary David Jerkens doesn’t like the bad rap California racing receives and he also wonders why there is more scrutiny now on horse fatalities when racing in the state has never been safer. “If you look into numbers, if you go back to 2010 or earlier and just see where we are now ... our safety record is better than it’s ever been,” he said. “It’s more under the microscope even though the results have been much better.”

• Defunded heads a field of 10 for Saturday’s $300,000 Grade II San

Diego Handicap at Del Mar, the main prep for the $1 million Pacific Classic on Sept. 9. The second feature that day, the $400,000 Grade I Bing Crosby Stakes, drew a full field of 12 that includes some of the top sprinters on the West Coast. Dr. Schivel, Spirit of Makena, The Chosen Vron, C Z Rocket and American Theorem are among the main contenders.

• Santa Anita is offering fans a chance to purchase tickets to its fall meet that begins Friday, Sept. 29 at bargain prices. Pre-sale tickets will go on sale on Thursday. Fans can receive up to 50% off reserved seating and general admission. Visit the website santaanita.com/events/ entertainment and fill out the form for a chance at the discounted tickets.