Del Mar Shake-Up: Oceanside Stakes Now Key Derby Prep

Del Mar's summer racing season kicks off with the Caesars Sportsbook Oceanside Handicap, a race with new significance. Historically, the Oceanside served as an early stepping stone to the G2 Del Mar Derby. However, due to changing racing conditions, trainers are hesitant to run horses multiple times within an eight-week span.

This year, the La Jolla Handicap has been removed from the schedule. The Oceanside now stands as the sole local preparatory race for the August 23rd Del Mar Derby, a strategic adjustment to encourage fuller fields and more sensible race scheduling for three-year-olds.

Twelve horses are entered in the 81st running of the Oceanside, which boasts an increased purse of $150,000. Among the contenders is Mr. A.P., who narrowly lost the Breeders' Cup Juvenile last fall. This will be his highly anticipated 3-year-old debut, and notably, his first race on turf, a surface trainer Vladimir Cerin believes he is bred for.

Other notable entries include Unrivaled Time, winner of the G3 Cecil B. DeMille on this turf course last fall, and Secured Freedom, who recently won the $100,000 Affirmed Stakes. Secured Freedom also makes his turf debut. Bust Out, winner of the Cinema Stakes, and two-time stakes winner Later Than Planned are also strong contenders in this key opening day feature race.