Herrick returns to Del Mar

Trainer Joe Herrick's 4-year-old gelding Achieved finished seventh among the eight horses in the fifth race July 25 at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, but the race was significant for Herrick in that it marked his first start at Del Mar since he was burned during the Lilac fire.

Herrick had left the San Luis Rey Training Center in Bonsall after completing his morning work with his horses Dec. 7. The Lilac fire began that morning and was spreading in the direction of San Luis Rey, so Herrick returned to help rescue the horses.

"When we came back the fire was bearing down on the facility," said H...