Del Mar Racing for Rookies

More than 40,000 people are expected to attend the first race of the summer season at the Del Mar Racetrack on July 19th. Opening Day will accompany one of the greatest parties of the summer as people throughout the country flock to Del Mar. Not an authority on horse racing? No problem; it’s easy to jump into the fervor of the races and festivities at Del Mar... so long as you’re in the know.

Racetrack Basics

At the Del Mar Racetrack, admission and reserved seating are sold separately. While admission prices allow entry to the racetrack itself, it is, in essence, a standing price––guests can wander the grounds, venture to dining areas and watch the races from the blacktop by the track. There are two types of admission tickets: stretch run admission, which allows entry west of the finish line and infield, and (the more expensive) clubhouse admission, which allows entry east of the finish line.

For those looking to visit the track regularly, download the Del Mar Mobile App to join the Diamond Club, which greatly reduces the cost of admission. Club members can also use the app as a wagering account and earn player rewards––perfect to avoid the painfully long lines at the wager windows.

Luxury accommodations are available at the track, found at the  exclusive Turf Club. This elite group has costly membership dues and a dress code, but it also has some sweet perks: members get access to a private lounge, special parking, exclusive wagering and food and beverage service. There are even track-side dining tables for Turf Club members, though they require a reservation.

If you’re looking to join the Turf Club (or just want to look like you belong), how you dress is key. The Del Mar Racetrack leans towards a refined, casual elegance––a nice dress, but low heels or flats; slacks for men, but maybe paired with a polo. The fashionable tradition of opening day, however is centered around large, custom-designed hats adorned with ribbons, flowers and more.

How to Place a Wager

When you arrive at the track, grab a program (available for free to all attendees); these programs contain valuable information about the horses, the jockeys and the racetrack. Take careful note of a horse’s post position. It’s written in the program and on the horse’s saddle towel to help you find it in the lineup at the start of a race. There are a few key terms to know before wagering:

Win: Your chosen horse comes in first place.

Place: Your chosen horse comes in first or second place.

Show: Your chosen horse comes in first, second, or third place. 

The three options offer different payouts based on the odds. Once you’re selected a horse and a race, attendees can either place their bets at a teller or through the Del Mar mobile app. Specify the dollar amount you’d like to bet, the type of wager (win, place or show) and the horse. If you bet in person at a teller, you will be handed a ticket. That ticket is like your debit card––lose it, and you can’t collect money from the teller. Return the ticket to the teller after the race to receive winnings.

Choosing which horse to bet on is a whole different story. For newbies, it helps to purchase PPs, or Past Performance records, to evaluate the horses at the race and hopefully predict how they’ll fare. You can practice your skills at handicapping (or predicting the winner) at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club’s handicapping events, some of which are online.

While the racetrack season is embedded in local culture, the ornate event that is opening day is actually young. The Del Mar Racetrack opened in 1937, thanks in part to famed singer Bing Crosby, who made an initial $60,000 investment in the property. While the racetrack has been a world-class destination for decades now, the extravagant opening day celebration truly began in 2000. The seven week race season, run by the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, runs from July 19th until September 4th, closing out the summer festivities with a bang.

Opening day at the Del Mar Racetrack is filled with people of all ages with varying knowledge of racing, betting and the equestrian lifestyle. It doesn’t take an expert to enjoy the summer sunshine and heart-thumping races this year down at ol’ Del Mar. 

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