Del Mar, Calif.
Horse racing has returned to Del Mar for the 2017 summer season and all connections involved are hoping for success and a safe trip around the seaside oval.
In 2016, 17 horses suffered a fatal injury that prompted an investigation along with changes to the racing surface.
All of the 90 horses who ran in the 10 race Opening Day card returned to the barn safely.
Leading rider Mike Smith called the new surface "slow," but also said it's very kind and believes the track "will get tighter after a few days of racing."
Trainer Phil D’Amato was last year’s top trainer and started Day 1 by taking the Oceanside Stakes with Bowies Hero and jockey Tiago Pereira.
Jockeys Rafael Bejarano and Flavien Prat tied for the top spot in the 2016 standings and stole the show Opening Day.
Bejarano took four mounts to the Winner's Circle, including Shackleford Banks in the last race, and Pratt cashed in on three rides within the first four races.
The on-track attendance for the meet opener was down a bit this year to just over 34,000, lowest since 2001, but Comic-Con was taking over downtown and track officials said they weren't too worried about it.
The 2017 Del Mar summer meet continues until Sept. 4.