The paddock at Del Mar

Dateline: 07/02/02

Although most people may automatically think of Saratoga in August, it is not the only "spa meet" held then. Del Mar, just north of San Diego, is the California equivalent of Saratoga with a short but very high class meet where the best of the best in the west meet.

Del Mar was the dream of Bing Crosby and Pat O'Brien and opened in 1937. They selected the location "where the turf meets the surf" because of the marvelous climate and cool ocean breezes as well as easy access from the major southern California cities. It is located right on the beach and the horsemen can exercise their charges on the sand or in the surf for therapy.

The meet this year lasts from July 24th through September 11th and will include 27 major stakes races, 19 of them graded, worth over $6 million. The headliner is the $1 million Pacific Classic, won the last two years by Skimming. This year it could be the place for top 3-year-old War Emblem and top older horse Street Cry to first meet on the track. There will be major events on the turf like the $400,000 G1 Eddie Read, where top turfer Beat Hollow is expected to enter. Top sprinter and fan favorite Kona Gold should be back in the $200,000 Bing Crosby Breeders' Cup Handicap while current distaff sensation Azeri may contest the $300,000 Clement L. Hirsch Handicap. The $300,000 Del Mar Oaks and Del Mar Derby will give the up-and-coming turfers a chance to prove themselves, while the two year olds will also get to shine in the $250,000 Del Mar Debutante and Del Mar Futurity.

In addition to the racing, there are many of other events planned daily. Lots of concerts, handicapping seminars, giveaways and family fun are scheduled. Del Mar is a great place to take the family for the weekend and even has a nice playground in the infield to keep the kids busy. So come on out to Del Mar this summer and have some fun!

The fountain in the center of the Plaza de Mexico at Del Mar.

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