Despite a limited sell-out crowd of 21,682 attending on July 22, Del Mar Racetrack set an opening-day record all-sources handle of $23.56 million breaking its previous record of $21.30 million set last year.
The summer meeting opened a week later than normal this season and will extend past Labor Day for the first time in nearly 20 years.
The day featured several events including fan favorites like the Hats Contest, which drew more than 160 contestants, the return of the Opening Day Party, the exclusive After Pony Party, and a 10-race program that included the $100,000 Oceanside Stakes.
“We got here early and stayed through the last race,” said Del Mar resident Carmen Arredondo. “We have been coming to Opening Day every year as a family and have it circled on our calendar. I am so happy not only because I cashed a ticket today, but also because I see that so many people are out here and having fun again.”
Del Mar’s Grandstand also started operating at full capacity for the first time since 2019 and will continue to do so throughout the season.
Opening weekend had races going through Sunday with large attendance numbers throughout the weekend, which had 11 races each on Saturday and Sunday. Among other highlights of the weekend was the return of the Del Mar Racetrack’s mascot Pony Boy after being absent for the last couple of years.
“We drive up from Tijuana because we love the atmosphere so much and it brings me back to my childhood,” said Ernesto Becerra. “I would go to the races at Caliente with my parents when I was little and now want my kids to have the same great memories that I did growing up watching these beautiful horses and amazing jockeys.”
Caliente Racetrack ceased horse racing in the early 1990s.
For a full list of summer season events at the Del Mar Racetrack, visit dmtc.com/calendar.
OPENING DAY HATS CONTEST
The 28th annual Opening Day Hats Contest at Del Mar drew more than 160 contestants. Categories included Most Glamorous, Best Fascinator, Best Flowers, and Best Racing/All Others Theme. Contestants competed for more than $4,000 in cash and prizes.
The Grand Prize winner was Steffi Poce of Park City, Utah, who competed in the Best Racing Theme category. Poce received a one-night stay and meal for two at Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa valued at $1,000, a $500 Studio Savvy Salon gift basket, and a $300 cash prize for a total value of $1,800.
Poce wore a large racetrack atop her head with the centerpiece of a horse riding a jockey. Poce spent approximately 40 hours crafting her creation and even made hats on all the miniature figures across her racetrack brim. Her outfit consisted of riding pants and a racing crop with diamonds on yellow silks.
The first place Best Fascinator award went to Aubrey Fohl from San Juan Capistrano. The hat was designed by Maor Zabar, a couture milliner atelier based in Tel-Aviv, specializing in surreal and unexpected pieces of art. This particular fascinator is a pink carnivorous flower. The hollyhock flowers are beautifully offset by Fohl’s fitted deep forest green velvet dress.
First place in the Best Flowers category went to Amparo Brean from Encinitas. This artistic and creative hat was designed by Amparo herself. The judges were “abuzz” from the many bees, flowers, and beehive she wore.
In the Most Glamorous category, Belinda Berry, all the way from Spring Hill, Tenn., wore a self-titled ensemble, “Gilding the Tiger Lily.” Berry’s stunning light green and coral matching hat and custom-made dress are perfections from head to toe.
