Opening Day at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club broke another attendance record with 44,907 people last Wednesday, July 22. Fashion abounded in this crowd of exhilarated racing fans that began with the knockout program cover featuring a woman in a beautiful hat. Equine artist Trish Biddle was commissioned to create the cover. Hats are always the biggest fashion statement, coming in all different sizes. This year was no exception, although more women opted to wear medium-size hats. The popular colors were black, white and a combination of the two. Full-length and one-shoulder dresses were the style of the day. Some of the standout hats were Denise Hug in a Frank Olive, Dianne Bashor in a Philip Treacy, Sandra Schafer in a Russian designer, Mary G. Walker in a Designer Millinery, and Sook Hansen in an Annabel Ingall. Emma Zuckerman was smashing in a black Oscar de la Renta dress topped off with a Treacy chapeau. May Zawaideh looked elegant in a Designer Millinery creation. Esther Nahama donned one of the most clever hats, made from a racing form, and Margo Schwab looked fabulous in a Designer Millinery hat made in the blue and yellow Del Mar racing colors. Phyllis Parrish was striking with fresh flowers adorning her hat and Sally Thornton looked sophisticated in a tangerine ensemble. Wearing Designer Millinery hats were Dianne York in a black Dolce & Gabbana dress, Lena Evans in a gorgeous lavender print Roberto Cavalli dress and Mary Beth Kellee in an exquisite backless dress by GOGA Couture, a new boutique downtown. The One and Only Truly Fabulous Hat Contest was a big hit again at Opening Day. The contest this year was sponsored by Harrah’s Rincon Casino. David Schaner of Placentia won first place in the Funniest/Most Outrageous category and was also the Grand Prize winner. He will receive a Toshiba 40-inch TV. First place in the Best Flowers/All Others category went to Haven Schneider of Laguna Beach. The Best Racing Theme went to Mikey Johnson of Poway and the Most Glamorous category went to Kadi Karusaar of Spring Valley. This year the track is dark on Mondays and Tuesdays. The racing season will continue until Sept. 9. Once again, Del Mar proved it is “cool as ever.” For more information, visit www.dmtc.com.
