Del Mar Starts Today!

Jim Baird Union-Tribune

Riders up!

Racing at Del Mar starts today! The hats will be out, Bing Crosby will be singin’, the greatest track announcer of all time — Trevor Denman — will say “and away they go”, and for 7 weeks life will be good “where the turf meets the surf”. For those who can’t make it to Del Mar, but wish to participate in the excitement you can play the DMTC Online Handicapping Challenge.

First post is 2pm.

Hat Day

Opening day at Del Mar is “Hat Day”, and it brings out the … well some hats and some not so much hats. It’s not uncommon to see celebs at Del Mar, so “take a train, take a plane, take a car” and get doooown here!

Today’s featured race is the Oceanside Stakes, which has been split into two divisions (last year it was three, the only time in history). Each race will field 10 horses with an also eligible list of 4.

Most people are expecting to see faster times this year. I am not sure why. The Polytrack that was installed last year was actually quite unfair to speed around two turns. Unless they sneaked in some new grass or have a new mower, I don’t see it.

I miss the old days of Del Mar, when the track did not play like the other SoCal tracks. It was not uncommon to see huge closing runs. Ironically this was set up by the fast early times. They are gone now, and that has some people complaining.

Multimedia

Listen to San Diego’s XX1090 listener party at Del Mar here. You can here Jason Levin of Inside Racing on KLAC 950 or listen on your local station every Saturday and Sunday 8 to 9 am PST. Also you can listen to Race Day Las Vegas at the Daily Racing Form.

Del Mar Vitals

First post time is 2pm except for “Four o’clock Fridays” which start in August. FOF features a band at the Plaza de Mexico and a later start and finish. Catch one, if you can. Watching racing, listening to music as the sun sets on the Pacific Ocean make you realize how good is life.

To close out the season — ok second to last — will be everyone’s favorite … wait for it …. DEVO! That’s right we are gonna whip it, and whip it good!

Devo

For the Kids

Also you can take the kids to Camp Del Mar. It’s open every race day. It’s for ages 5 – 12. They seem to be strict on that, they wouldn’t let me into the hippity-hop race.

Opening time varies from day to day, and closes 30 minutes before the last race. Call for info at (858) 755-1141 x3990.

Where is it?

Del Mar is located just north of San Diego on the PCH, at 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd.

View Larger Map

You can call Del Mar free of charge for results and scratches at (858) 793-5544.

If you take the train or the local bus to Solana Beach Station, you can catch the shuttle to Del Mar.

I recommend it, highly.

Keep up with the action

You can keep up with the racing here at the Del Mar Racing Info page. You can get your programs at the Del Mar Programs Page. Get the entries here at the Del Mar Entries page. Overnights are available here (in PDF only) at the Del Mar overnights page. If you miss the days racing, you can see them here at the Del Mar Horse Racing Results page. Del Mar Events calendar lists all of the upcoming events for this season. Del Mar Stakes Race Schedule lists all of the major races for the season. For those who want to go to the track to bet other races, you can check here at the Del Mar Simulcast page for what sites are available for wagering. Brisnet gives away the Past Performances for one major race per day.

Del Mar also has several cams installed so you can watch the action. Watch the horses in the stable at the Del Mar Stable Cam page. See the Polytrack at Del Mar, and view the Del Mar Paddock. Sadly all require ActiveX.

Other Coverage

• NC Times on Del Mar
• A jockey’s first day at Del Mar
• Del Mar Gates Open – it’s party time
• Del Mar and Saratoga will heal what ails you
• Trainer Sadler has the hot hand