Del Mar, America’s only seaside racing headquarters, jumps into action for its 89th year next Friday for the start of an eight-week season that will bring high-class horse racing, first-rate summer entertainment and sun-splashed community to this little beach town alongside the blue Pacific just north of San Diego.
This now legendary racetrack, founded by Bing Crosby and his Hollywood pals way back in 1937, has become the place to see and be seen in Southern California for a 32-day stand that runs from July 17 to Labor Day Monday, September 7, with the sport conducted primarily on a Thursday through Sunday basis.
There will be many highlights along the way, racing and otherwise, starting with an Opening Day social scene that is a “can’t miss” happening for those in the know, a spectacular Hats Contest that has taken on a life of its own and the beginning of serious summer action for racing aficionados who welcome Del Mar’s return with open arms.
Foremost among the racing highlights will be the annual renewal of the track’s $1-million special, the Grade I Pacific Classic, which is scheduled for Saturday, August 22. The 36th edition of the mile and a quarter headliner will be the highlight of a sparkling card that also will present the $300,000, Grade I Del Mar Oaks, the $300,000 Grade II Del Mar Mile and the $200,000, Grade II Green Flash Handicap.
In all, the track will present six Grade I stakes over the course of the summer, notably the $400,000 Bing Crosby Stakes at six furlongs on July 24 and the $400,000 Clement L. Hirsch Stakes at a mile and one-sixteenth for fillies and mares on August 1.
Further, six Del Mar stakes have been designated Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” races: Bing Crosby (BC Sprint); Clement L. Hirsch (BC Distaff); Green Flash (BC Turf Sprint); Pacific Classic (BC Classic); Del Mar Handicap (BC Turf), and Pat O’Brien (BC Dirt Mile). The winners of those contests receive automatic entry into their designated Breeders’ Cup races.
On other fronts, the place “where the turf meets the surf” has an extensive lineup of weekend happenings for fans that have proven especially popular over the years. Among them are a pair of Family Fun Days (July 26 and September 6), Tacos & Tequila (July 18), Uncorked: Del Mar Wine Fest (August 1), Turf & Surf Food Fest (August 8), Taste of New Orleans (August 15), and BBQ & Beer Fest (September 5).
Additionally, there are dozens of other events unfolding during the stand that fans will find anywhere from interesting to downright fun. They include: several handicapping contests offering large prizes; Pop-Up Sundays in the Plaza de Mexico providing food and drink specials; Daybreak at Del Mar, a Saturday and Sunday morning breakfast while watching the workouts; handicapping seminars each Saturday and Sunday prior to the races; Happy Hour Fridays; Taste of the Turf Club Sundays; Free & Easy Thursdays (free admission, seat and program, along with discounted food and drink); “Sing With Bing” every day in the winner’s circle; Turf Club Fridays (includes admission, seat and food and beverages); Paddock Pals, and other happenings over the course of the 32-day season.
First post daily throughout the summer will be at 2 p.m. (including all Fridays). The only change to that arrangement will come closing weekend when the Saturday, Sunday and Monday cards kick off at 1:30 p.m.