Breeders’ Cup to Del Mar again in ’24
For the third time in eight years, the Breeders’ Cup is coming to Del Mar in 2024. This means the seaside track has apparently passed Churchill Downs in the pecking order of host sites, since the Twin Spires hasn’t hosted the two-day event since 2018.
One horseman who is very pleased by the news that was announced Thursday is trainer Peter Miller, who lives in Encinitas, about 10 minutes from Del Mar. When you can sleep in your own bed and don’t have to ship your horses out of state, it’s a nice set-up for a trainer.
“It’s in my backyard, I think it’s great news. Del Mar does a great job with the Breeders’ Cup,” Miller said during a telephone interview. “Hopefully, we’ll be participating.”
Del Mar has put on a spectacular show the previous two years it’s hosted the Super Bowl of horse racing. In 2017, the track set a two-day, ontrack betting handle record of $25,181,317. Two years ago, Del Mar produced a two-day allsources handle record of $183,260,127.
Miller is not surprised Del Mar will be hosting the event for the second time in four years.
“It’s kinda about what I thought,” he said. “Seems like they’re kinda on a rotation — Keeneland, Santa Anita and Del Mar. It’s sorta what I figured would happen.”
Another happy horseman is trainer John Sadler.
“We feel in California that we kind of deserve it because it works so well here,” he said. “And it looks like to me one of the factors was the really good Japanese representation we had (in 2021). It looks like the East Coast is a little far for them to go so I would imagine in ‘24 we’ll see another strong Japanese presence. You saw how well it went for them the last time it was at Del Mar. I think they won two races (Loves Only You in the Filly and Mare Turf and Marche Lorraine in the Distaff). It’s just a popular destination. The Euros love it. There’s not a lot to dislike.”
But three times in eight years? That’s more than any other track.
“I think they’ve just been really happy with Del Mar,” Sadler said. “When you talk to the Breeders’ Cup people, they like the way it runs, the numbers are good ... obviously they’re doing it because it’s working. Not just to do it out of repetition or order, they’re doing it because they say, ‘Hey, this works really well. It’s a good experience for the horse players, plenty of places to stay.’ So I think it works on a lot of different levels.”
Said Miller: “I wish they had it there every year.”
The Breeders’ Cup, along with the three Triple Crown races, are opportunities for the sport to put its best foot forward. Miller sides with the Breeders’ Cup as his favorite event.
“The Triple Crown is just 3-year-olds, it’s just dirt and basically same distance,” Miller said. “The Breeders’ Cup to me is much more exciting and interesting. Different distances, ages, sex, surfaces. All that stuff, for me, makes for much more interesting racing.”
When asked his favorite event, Sadler didn’t hesitate.
“It’s where I win,” he said with a laugh. “I like to see major races go on fast tracks as opposed to muddy tracks. Some people like the variable of an off track, but every year you’re going to get good weather in California. I like the fast-track aspect of it.”
This year’s Breeders’ Cup will be hosted for a record 12th time by Santa Anita on Nov. 3-4. Next year’s event at Del Mar will take place Nov. 1-2.
“Breeders’ Cup has always been a strong supporter of California racing and we look forward to showcasing this wonderful venue once again to our horsemen and fans from around the world,” Drew Fleming, Breeders’ Cup president and CEO, said in a statement.
Said Del Mar president Josh Rubinstein in a release: “We’re excited for the return of Breeders’ Cup to Del Mar in 2024. The prestige of the event combined with our venue’s iconic, seaside setting makes for an extraordinary weekend.”