Del Mar Race Track - Where the Turf meets the Surf!
by Kenneth Strong
Every summer from mid-July to early September, movie stars, awestruck vacationers, cocky new money, class from the past and shrewd handicappers in search of a big score - all converge on Del Mar race track to frolic on the famous southern California beaches, soak up the sun, attend parties where everybody is from somewhere else - and of course - to bet on horses. And bet they do.
In 2004 daily average attendance at Del Mar race track averaged over 17,000 race goers who bet almost $13.5 million a day, resulting in a total record betting handle of over $580 million. There was also a record Pick 6 payout of $2,100,017 in 2004 - all to one bettor! The positive trend continued in 2005 with another record total handle of over $600 million as fans exploded the betting pools to the tune of over $14 million per day including a one-day record handle of $24,004.733. The attendance and handle have increased every year since.
Located 100 miles south of Los Angeles and 20 miles north of San Diego, at the Del Mar fair grounds west of Interstate 5, the Del Mar race meeting is pure pleasure for casual bettors - but it's an absolute goldmine for good handicappers.
Track biases appear and disappear without notice depending on nature’s bent for blowing ocean winds through high humidity and hot sun, and a truckload of uninformed money goes through the Del Mar betting windows every day - money based on whimsy, hot tips, horse names, lucky numbers and personal fancy - all of which means great odds and more money for those who do their handicapping homework. And with some of the best jockeys on the planet riding at Del Mar you just know you’re going to get bang for your buck.
The jock's room at Del Mar features elite riding talents that include former riding champions Victor Espinoza, Corey Nakatani, Alex Solis, Patrick Valenzuela and David Flores, backed up by new veterans Aaron Gryder, Norberto Arroyo, Jr. and Clinton Potts as well as journeymen Martin Pedroza, Tyler Baze, Jose Valdivia Jr., Jon Court and David Cohen. Apprentices could also get hot this year in the form of Martin Garcia, Juan Ochoa, and Saul Arias.
The trainers are no slouches either with 2005 champion Jeff Mullins leading the way against 7-time champ Bob Baffert and former champions Doug O'Neill and Mike Mitchell as well as Hall of Fame trainers Ron McAnally, Bobbie Frankel, Neil Drysdale, Richard Mandella and Jack Van Berg. Baffert is also currently tied with the late Hall of Fame trainer Charlie Whittingham for stakes wins at Del Mar with 74.
Del Mar Betting Options
Betting Del Mar racing is highlighted by the fact that wagering options are many and varied, with something for everyone: $2 Win, Place and Show; $2 Rolling Doubles on every race except the finale; a Pick 4 on the final four races of the day; $1 Rolling Pick 3s beginning in the first race; $1 Exactas and $2 Quinellas on every race; $2 parlays; $1 Trifectas on all races with at least six separate betting interests; $1 Superfectas on all races with eight betting interests (except for the first race in the $2 Pick 6, which is in place for the final six races); 10-cent Superfectas and a $1 Place Pick All.
Del Mar Race Track Live Racing Post Times
Live racing at Del Mar in 2010 takes place from Wednesday through Monday, from July 21 to September 8 (37 race days). Post Time is 4 p.m.
Big Races at Del Mar in 2010
There will be over $20 million in purse money available at Del Mar race track in 2010, over $7 million of which will be allocated to stakes highlighted by the following:
Saturday, July 24 - $300,000 Eddir Read Stakes, Grade I
Saturday, August 7 - $300,000 Clement L. Hirsch Stakes, Grade I
Sunday, August 21 - $300,000 Del Mar Oaks, Grade I
Saturday, August 28 - $300,000 Pat O'Brien Stakes, Grade I
Saturday, August 28 - $1,000,000 Pacific Classic, Grade I
Sunday, September 5 - $300,000 Del Mar Derby, Grade II
Movie Stars and Celebrities at Del Mar Race Track
From the time Del Mar opened in 1937, when Bing Crosby was there to greet the first fan through the gates, and Seabiscuit was beating up on Ligaroti in their famous 1938 match race, Del Mar has been a haven for movie stars and celebrities.
In the early days it was stars like Dorothy Lamour, W. C. Fields, Edgar Bergen, Ava Gardner, Red Skelton and Bing Crosby. Today it might be anyone from Tom Cruise to Paris Hilton, from Jack Nicholson to Barbara Streisand. So have some fun and keep your eyes open...
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