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 22nd through September 9th and will include 27 stakes races, 19 of them graded, worth a total of $5.4 million. The headliner is the $1 million Pacific Classic which should draw Silver Charm, Gentlemen, Puerto Madero, and Free House, but all the stakes are worth at least $100,000. There will be major event on the turf like the $300,000 G1 Eddie Read Handicap, Ramona Handicap, Del Mar Oaks, and 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 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 Mining Co.'s San Diego guide.
- Del Mar Gift Shop - lots of souvenirs
- Cigar at the Pacific Classic - photos from my trip there in 1996
- The Professor's Countdown to Saratoga - he will have free selections and analysis for opening day at Del Mar and Saratoga and a free play daily for each
- Today's Racing Digest - excellent publication on Southern California racing with a free pick daily
- Handicapping at Del Mar - their page with a ton of handicapping resources for the Del Mar races
- 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 fairly decent movie about a race track robbery that was filmed at Del Mar in 1989. Available from Amazon.com
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Title graphic from 1950's Del Mar postcard in the authors collectionm, second photo by the author. Top 20 graphic courtesy of the Top 20 Racing Sites poll.
