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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 18th through September 5th and will include 27 major stakes races, 19 of them graded, worth over $6 million. The headliner is the $1 million Pacific Classic, won last year by Skimming with eventual Breeders' Cup Classic winner Tiznow second. There will be major events on the turf like the $400,000 G1 Eddie Read and Ramona Handicaps, the $300,000 Del Mar Oaks, and the $300,000 Del Mar Derby. 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!
Del Mar Paddock, 1996 Pacific Classic
More Del Mar Info:
- Del Mar Racing Info - my collection of links to entries, results, charts, weather, live race calls, etc.
- Del Mar Handicapping Info - selections, tools, data, etc.
- Del Mar Handicapping Challenge - should be online soon
- 2000 Pacific Classic photos
- 2000 Del Mar Journal - daily recap of racing at Del Mar from the Thoroughbred Times.
- Del Mar Accomodations - a guide to where to stay from the Del Mar site
- Guide to Del Mar, CA - things around the town from Anne Wayman the About.com guide to San Diego.
- Del Mar Gift Shop - lots of souvenirs
- Cigar at the Pacific Classic - photos from my trip there in 1996
- Martin Dermer's Racing Digest - specializing in Southern California with free picks daily
- Today's Racing Digest - excellent publication on Southern California racing with a free pick daily
- Racing History at Del Mar:
- Del Mar Jockey Fights
- Del Mar History - Year by year summary of the history of Del Mar
- The Heist - a pretty good movie about a race track robbery that was filmed at Del Mar in 1989.
Title graphic from 1950's Del Mar postcard in the author's collection, second photo ©1996 by Cindy Pierson, licensed to About.
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