Monster Bea wins Oceanside Stakes in Del Mar opener

DEL MAR, Calif. (AP) Hall of Famer rode long-shot Monster Bea to an upset victory Friday in the $117,970 Oceanside Stakes on the opening day of Del Mar's 77th summer season.

The crowd of 42,562 was the largest this year for racing in California.

Monster Bea beat favored Moonlight Drive by 2 1/4 lengths in the race for 3-year-olds, running a mile on the infield turf course in 1:35.930. The winner paid $27.20, $9.80 and $5.60.

The bay gelding was making his West Coast debut, having campaigned recently at Churchill Downs in Kentucky where he won an allowance race June 10 under Stevens.

Moonlight Drive returned $4.20 and $3.20, and Path of David paid $6.60 to show.

Santiago Gonzalez rode three winners - Accelerant in the first, My Samurai Warrior in the fourth, and Song for Jade in the sixth.