Opening Day of the summer session, known far and wide as - a) the best racing kickoff in America; b) the biggest outdoor party in Southern California; c) the official start of summer in San Diego; d) all of the above - comes not only with the return of fast horses to the shore oval, but 40,000-plus people ready to kick off the season at the Opening Day Party. The track’s Opening Day Hats Contest, which has entered the “legendary” zone after two decades of visual explosions, encourages a dressing up that has to be seen to be believed.
Besides the marvelous competition among the track’s high-line Thoroughbreds and its world-class jockeys and trainers, the cavalry grounds started by entertainment icon Bing Crosby back in the 1930s provides additional entertainment daily that’s sure to delight all. There are VIP parties, family fun weekends, craft beer and food festivals, giveaways, racing seminars and a free musical lineup that will deliver the hottest hits of the summer to enjoy. Every Friday and on selected Saturdays throughout the season musical acts swing into full motion after the races.
When the sun sets at the seaside track, the stage lights up and the racetrack transforms into a rockin’ beachside playground for Del Mar’s annual Summer Concert Series. This summer’s entertainment line-up features 11 special performances that encompass a wide musical spectrum. From notable reggae names such as The Wailers, Ziggy Marley, Steel Pulse and Pepper, to SoCal punk legends The Offspring, along with electro-house sounds sprinkled in with Thievery Corporation and DJ pioneer Paul Oakenfold, concertgoers can experience a wave of new and classic rhythms all summer long. This year's schedule includes the following performances
· Friday, July 17 – The Wallflowers
· Friday, July 24 – The Wailers
· Saturday, July 25 – The Offspring
· Friday, July 31 – The Crystal Method
· Saturday, August 1 – Reggae Fest with Ziggy Marley
· Friday, August 7 – Thievery Corporation
· Friday, August 14 – Steel Pulse
· Friday, August 21 – Pepper
· Friday, August 28 – “Weird Al” Yankovic***all ages show
· Friday, September 4 – Paul Oakenfold
· Sunday, September 6 – Weezer
True horse racing aficionados will put a star next to Saturday, August 22. That’s the day the track will present the 25th edition of its richest and most prestigious event, the $1-million TVG Pacific Classic, run at a mile and a quarter and sure to lure many of the best runners in the land. After being presented for the past eight years on the synthetic Polytrack that was installed in 2007, the Grade I Classic will be returned to dirt, as will all main track races this summer following a $4.5 million conversion back to the track’s original surface in a four-month process accomplished over the winter.
Following the summer meeting, racing fans will look ahead to a fall gathering that is expected to build on the highly successful production that debuted last November, the Bing Crosby Season, a racing fête with a touch of old-time Hollywood. Opening Day for Bing Crosby Season will be on Thursday, October 29. This time the “throwback” meet gets a big buzz opener with two days of championship racing – the $26-million Breeders’ Cup being held at Keeneland Race Course in Kentucky – presented on the first Friday and Saturday (October 30 and 31) of the session.
Summer racing at Del Mar will take place in its usual Wednesday through Sunday format with the lone exception being the holiday closing day Monday (9/7). First post daily will be at 2pm with the exceptions of Fridays (4pm).
For more information, call (858) 755-1141 or visit DelMarScene.com.