JOHN R. McCUTCHEN / Union-Tribune Rafael Bejarano and Kilderry (10) took a division of the Oceanside Stakes.

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DEL MAR – The 69th summer racing season got off to a good and proper start here yesterday. The crowd of 43,459 was the track's largest for an opening day and second on the all-time list to the 44,181 of the 1996 Pacific Classic featuring superstar Cigar. The total betting handle of $13.8 million (all sites) was down from the $15.2 million of opening day last year when on-track attendance was 42,842, and Del Mar Thoroughbred Club officials estimated the drop was 9 percent on track and 8 percent overall.

DEL MAR – Really, this place doesn't apply, so there would be no need for Bing to mess with the lyrics. They're going to get here any way they can, and yesterday they came to opening day, mostly by horseless carriage, be it Yugo or limo.

As the Padres trudged toward a merciful All-Star break last weekend, their only All-Star performer was asked if he thought the team still could muster a run for the playoffs. “Yeah,” Adrian Gonzalez replied, just half an hour after another defeat put the club 20 games under .500. “If we win 30 straight games.”

• Today's matchup: Padres (37-58) at Cardinals (53-43)
• Young takes a solid step in rehab start

Here's some advice for the U.S. women's national soccer coach, whoever it may be, to tuck away for the final tuneup match before the next major international tournament: Don't play Abby Wambach.

The Union-Tribune continues its twice-per-week, position-by position look at the Chargers leading up to training camp, which begins with the first day of workouts for rookies July 21.