Del Mar has two tracks – a dirt surface and a grass surface.

The dirt surface comprises El Segundo Sand of 10’’ deep with a compacted decomposed granite base.

The dirt track is an oval of a mile with chutes for races over 7f and 10f races. The distance from the home turn to the finishing post is 919ft long, the shortest Breeders’ Cup home straight in history.

Del Mar has ridden deeper than Santa Anita (also in California on the West Coast) this summer, and horses who acclimatised on the surface during the summer were at an advantage.

The turf course comprises Greg Norman #1 Bermuda grass with 9’’ sand layer beneath on a compacted sub base.

The course is an over of 7f, with a diagonal straight chute for races over 1m 1/2f and 9f contests.

The distance from the home turn to the finishing post is 817ft. The turf course, therefore, suits, athletic nimble horses who can race around bends and with such a short straight momentum, and post position is crucial.