Carl Hilliard Goes Off to the Races

Lawyer and Del Mar mayor Carl Hilliard, now running for third district county supervisor in a crowded field that includes Steve Danon, aide to GOP congressman Brian Bilbray, and Democratic Solana Beach deputy mayor Dave Roberts, touts his career of public service on his campaign website. “As a consumer advocate, Carl successfully argued that all cell phone companies, without exception, should be required to process 911-calls for free, thereby improving public safety,” says Hilliard’s bio.

But one barely mentioned sideline has caused a few raised eyebrows around the laid-back beach town. According to Hilliard’s January 27 financial disclosure statement, the two-term councilman owns an interest worth between $100,000 and $1 million in Mooncoin, LLC. Its activity is listed as “breeding and racing Thoroughbred horses.” Last year Hilliard reported getting between $1000 and $10,000 in income from the operation. According to the Horse Racing Nation website, Mooncoin’s recent horses include Two Per Cent and Wakeuplittlesusie, both four-year-old fillies, and El Bronco, a three-year-old colt.

Interviewed by phone last week, Hilliard said his horse holdings were small and that nothing has come before the Del Mar council to create any conflict of interest for him. He added that the two fillies are no longer racing.

Luck was not on Hilliard’s side last Saturday, when El Bronco, named by his wife, ran in the rain at Santa Anita, placing fifth.