The high-stakes, summertime horseracing tradition returns to the Del Mar Race Track Wednesday, July 16. This year marks the 71st season since Bing Crosby welcomed the first guests through the front gates in 1937. Though much has changed in the world around it, Del Mar horseracing was, and remains, all about the scene.
Especially in recent years has Del Mar has been tremendously successful in marketing the racing season as a seven-week social event with horseracing, offering a variety of activities from kids days to concerts and microbrew festivals.
The party starts from day one with the trademark One and Truly Fabulous Hats Contest, where entrants vie for cash and prizes for their sometimes off-the-wall hat creations in the categories of racing theme, funny/outrageous and most glamorous.
A popular draw for younger track patrons is a lineup of free musical concerts, including its 4 O’clock Fridays series. This year’s musical performers include:
“¢ Gavin Rossdale, former lead singer of Bush (July 18)
“¢ Super Diamond, Neal Diamond tribute band (July 25)
“¢ Gnarles Barkely (Sat, July 26)
“¢ Pinback (Aug. 1)
“¢ The Bravery (Aug. 8)
“¢ Ziggy Marley reggae festival (Sat. Aug. 9)
“¢ Black Francis, aka Frank Black, from the Pixies, (Aug. 22.)
“¢ Steel Pulse (Aug. 29)
“¢ Devo (Sat., Aug 30)
“¢ English Beat (closing day, Wed., Sept. 3)
Also new this year is the launch of www.delmarscene.com, an interactive website featuring blogs, racing season information, and performing musicians’ web pages.
Del Mar has always had its measure of Hollywood glitz, since it it’s early days as a playground for stars, and this tradition continues. Celebrities continue to frequent the track every year as well as in recent history, the HBO series “Entourage” filmed at Del Mar.
For more kid-friendly events, Sunday, July 20 is family fun day, where children 18 and under admitted free. Saturday Donuts Days will be held July 26 and Aug. 23, giving both kids and horse enthusiasts a chance to watch the horses warm-up, hear from trainers and jockeys, and eat donuts.
Other events include a chili cook off (Aug. 2); the Pacific Classic race, where top horses compete for a $1,000,000 purse (Aug 24); Labor day’s Jockey photo day (Sept 1); and the Sept 3 closing day party in the paddock.
The Del Mar Race Track has a long, rich history. The second racing season in 1938 saw the famous Seabiscuit-Ligaroti matchup. When a solid road and railways system made travel down from Los Angeles easier, Del Mar evolved throughout the years became the playground to the stars.
The track was dark during World War II when it served, among other things, as a Marine training ground.
In 1991, the first Pacific Classic Race was held ” Del Mar’s most expensive and prestigious race ” with a $1 million purse.
Last year, the newest addition to the track was the track itself. This is the second season since Del Mar installed its synthetic Polytrak, a $9 million project involving 16,000 tons of track. Though it results in slower overall race times, the new track, comprised of silica sand, fibers, recycled rubber, and wax, has been shown to reduce injuries and requires significantly less watering.
The races run Wednesday, July 16 through Wednesday, Sept. 3, and are dark on Tuesdays. First post daily is at 2 p.m. with the exception of 4 O’Clock Fridays (July 18, 25, Aug. 1, 8, when races begin at 4 p.m. and August 15, 22, 29 at 3:30 p.m.). Ticket prices vary according to admission. Active duty military personnel with ID and their dependents are admitted free at the main entrance to Stretch Run every day.
Packages and season passes are also available. A newcomers information seminar is held daily day prior to the races at the Plaza de Mexico stage.
The track is located at 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd. in Del Mar. For more information visit www.dmtc.com or call (858) 793-5533.