Racing Resumes at Del Mar Sunday as Storm Moves East

After torrential rains hammered much of the west coast on Saturday, outside of a rogue scattered shower or two moving through the area Sunday, the weather and the conditions improved enough to proceed with Del Mar's nine-race card.

Racing Saturday was cancelled in anticipation of the heavy rains that blew through Del Mar, flooding the parking lots and portions of the backside stable area. Work crews were busy Sunday morning cleaning up the facility.

While the backside was wet and soggy, no major flood issues were reported. Ponds had formed in the areas between the barns, however, shed rows were spared and the horses and their stalls remained dry.

“We're fine,” trainer Bob Hess said outside his barn Sunday morning. “It flooded outside some of the older barns but here is okay.”

Berms, which had been built up around some barns to prevent flooding, proved successful.

With the main track closed, horses with their riders walked the shed rows or other paths around the barn area while horse trailers could be seen dropping off horses throughout the morning.

According to Del Mar Track Superintendent Dennis Moore, rain gauges showed an inch and a half of rain fell on the area beginning Friday afternoon. The track was sealed following the races on Friday and remained sealed through much of Sunday morning. By 11 a.m. the tractors were out with harrows opening up the track.

“I waited until I felt comfortable that we're not going to get anymore showers,” Moore said. He added that 11 o'clock was the latest they could hold off.

Turf racing was cancelled for Sunday at Del Mar.