Eddie Read Stakes Highlights Del Mar's Opening Week

A record Opening Day crowd, a non-stop series of longshot winners, a shortened meet to 5 days a week due to lack of horses, and a serious injury to top jockey Rafeal Bejerano have to date been the headlines coming out of the opening week at Del Mar which opened on Wednesday.

Saturday's Eddie Read Stakes on the turf will be the first Grade I race of the season at the seaside track. A stellar field led by Monterey Jazz, Artiste Royale, Awesome Gem and Thorn Song make the Eddie Read a strong headliner for the meet's opening week.

Rafeal Bejerano was injured on opening day when his horse broke down and unseated him after which he was struck by a trailing horse causing severe facial injuries. Bejerano underwent successful facial surgery on Thursday but no date has been set for his return to riding.