Bing Crosby welcomes first patron to Del Mar.
In a world full of unpredictability, there are two things you can be sure of in early November. One is hearing Christmas music in just about every store you walk into, and the other is the fall racing meet starting at Del Mar. What do both of those things have in common with each other? The answer is Bing Crosby.
The Bing Crosby season is in its 12th running at Del Mar. Within the 16-day meet you will see a few familiar names in the stake schedule that would make you check the calendar to ensure you have not been somehow transported to Hollywood in 1950 - Desi Arnaz, Bob Hope, Jimmy Durante and Cecil B. DeMille.
In 1937 Bing Crosby, the founder of Del Mar Thoroughbred Club and Racetrack, brought his love of racing to Del Mar which was quickly becoming a celebrity hot spot in the late 1930’s. Due largely to the proximity to the studios in Los Angeles, the quaint seaside town lured some of the biggest names in Hollywood, and the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club was their playground. Known as a multimedia star, Bing Crosby is one of the most recorded artists in music history. ‘White Christmas’ by Bing Crosby is in the record books as the best-selling Christmas single in the United States and the best-selling single of all time since the advent of recorded music. The star also appeared in over 140 films with some of the decade’s prominent stars including Bob Hope, Fred Astaire and Rosemary Clooney. Bing Crosby’s voice rings throughout the track on each race day with his song, ‘Where The Turf Meets The Surf.’
Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball in the Winner's Circle at Del Mar.
On Sunday, another household name will appear in the program, Desi Arnaz. Best known for his role as Ricky Ricardo in ‘I Love Lucy’, co-starring alongside his first wife Lucille Ball, Desi was thoroughly active in ownership and bred racehorses at his ranch, Desi Arnaz’s Corona Breeding Farm. One of the most notable horses that he bred was Champsville. The speedy son of multiple stakes winner Nashville, he was the winner of the 1970 Debonair Stakes at Hollywood Park. After his Hollywood career, Desi retired to a beachfront property in Del Mar just about two miles from the racetrack. In 2014 Del Mar attained the Moccasin Stakes from Hollywood Park, renaming it the Desi Arnaz Stakes as a tribute to his involvement in the industry.
The Bob Hope Stakes, named for the comedian, actor and entertainer, will be run for the 45th time this fall. Bob Hope co-stared alongside Bing Crosby in a highly successful film series named ‘The Road’. In addition to appearing in films together the pair were also neighbors, both residing in Toluca Lake just over 100 miles from the track. A frequent visitor to Del Mar, Hope would perform and entertain guests at the seaside oval. In 2014, the formerly known Hollywood Prevue Stakes was renamed for the close friend of Bing Crosby.
Driving to the famed racetrack, you will notice a recognizable street name. Jimmy Durante Blvd. Named after the longtime Del Mar resident, Jimmy Durante. The beloved comedian, singer, actor, and pianist, was a regular visitor and performer at the Del Mar Turf Club, often appearing alongside Crosby, Arnaz, and other entertainers. His humor and music made him a crowd favorite. Saturday, November 29, closing weekend of the Bing Crosby season, the Jimmy Durante Stakes named for the community icon will be run for the 35th time. The Jimmy Durante Stakes was known as the Miesque Stakes, held at Hollywood Park since 1991.
Crosby, Arnaz, Hope and Durante - and thousands of other actors and artists - would not be able to grace our screens at home and in the theater if not for the father of the Hollywood motion picture industry, Cecil B. DeMille. One of the most successful producers-directors of his time, DeMille is also credited in making numerous Hollywood stars. Previously named the Generous Stakes at Hollywood Park, on closing day Sunday, November 30, the Cecil B. DeMille will be run for the 44th time, rounding out the star-studded cast of the 2025 Bing Crosby Season.