Rare Rainy Weekend at Del Mar Marks Halfway Point of Bing Crosby Meet
A rare rainbow emerged beyond the track before the 1st race at Del Mar on Sunday. This weekend marked only the third time in nearly nine decades of racing at Del Mar that a racing day was canceled due to inclement weather. This weekend also marked the halfway point of the brief five-week fall meet. The Bing Crosby Meet, named after Del Mar's famous founder, is in its 12th year. After the closure of Hollywood Park in late 2013, the racetrack added the fall season. The racetrack did briefly have a fall meet in the late 60s, but with limited success, it was soon canceled.
Friday marked an accelerated day of racing starting at noon local time and progressing quickly to beat the forecasted rain. Bob Baffert-trained filly Consequent had a nice debut with a first-time-out win, gutting out a stretch-run duel with the Ryan Hanson-trained Bank Shot.
The track reopened on Sunday with a dirt-only nine-race card. The sun unexpectedly appeared, delivering a picturesque view on the warm fall afternoon. The Desi Arnaz Stakes, named after the late Cuban-American actor, was run a day later than scheduled.
Another Baffert trainee, Himika, a winner last time out at Santa Anita entered this race a heavy favorite. Revera, a John Sadler-trained filly who went off as the second choice, was game and ultimately pulled away from Himika in the stretch run to win. Revera paid $11.80 and the final race time was 1:23.77 over seven furlongs. The win also kept John Sadler tied for the lead in wins at the fall meet, level with trainer George Papaprodromou at six wins apiece.