Opening Day for Del Mar Races Thurs., July 16 with traditional Hats Contest

DEL MAR (CNS) - The Del Mar Racetrack will have a triple-crown winner in the stables and a new dirt course when its 76th thoroughbred racing season opens tomorrow, Thurs., July 16.

American Pharoah arrived early Tuesday at the track where he won his first race, the Del Mar Futurity last September.

Though the champion will be working out at Del Mar, the winner of the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes is not expected to race during the upcoming local meet. His next scheduled start is Aug. 2 at Monmouth Park in New Jersey.

The new dirt track replaces a synthetic surface that was...