From the Magazine: Coming Up Green at Del Mar

More than 66 years ago, the South American mare Encuesta emerged from the ranks of anonymity to record a notable piece of history, then just as quickly passed from significant view. Still, her name lingers in a distant corner of the sport, because the first to do anything is worth at least an occasional nod. In the case of Encuesta, 5 at the time, her day of days was July 27, 1960, when she stormed through the stretch at odds of 35-1 under Rogelio Trejos in the final event of the afternoon to become the first horse to win a race on grass at Del Mar. Fast forward nearly seven decades and grass racing rules a powerful portion of the Del Mar product, which will be on display July 17 through Labor Day, Sept. 7. Of the 21 graded stakes scheduled over the 32-day summer meet, 10 have been earmarked for a turf course that has weathered the years and changed with the times while retaining its unique hold on the imagination. Where else can a jockey glance right on the turn for home and catch a glimpse of the sunlight on the Pacific? Click below to subscribe and immediately read more about turf racing at Del Mar in this July issue story from Jay Hovdey, as well as the entire July 2026 issue of BloodHorse. Subscribe now to read this story in full. Choose a Digital Subscription for instant access to this story and the full May 2026 issue. Or, add print to the mix with Print + Digital: full online access starting today, with your first print edition arriving in the next mailing. Subscribe Now