Through the first 4 1/2 days of Del Mar’s 43-day meet, Polytrack is playing much faster than its inaugural season, when times could have been gauged with an hour glass. Saturday’s San Diego Handicap, when Well Armed went gate to wire in a lightning-quick 1:41.57 for the 1 1/16 miles, was run in a professional race time. Last year’s San Diego Handicap winner? Sun Boat, who went the distance in a slow 1:45.39.
Give Del Mar management credit — they knew they had to do something to speed up times, and they did it. More wax and some water seems to have done the trick. Trainer Mike Mitchell thinks it will even get better with increased racing and more water.
As of now, both Well Armed and San Diego runner-up Surf Cat are scheduled to go in the $1 million Pacific Classic on Aug. 24. Trainer Bruce Headley was pleased with Surf Cat’s effort, which was his 12th consecutive graded stakes race dating back to January 2006. He’s finished worse than third only once during that span, posting five wins, four seconds and two thirds.
