Opening Day at the Del Mar Races 2017 is July 19
It’s barely a week away and not too soon to plan for Opening Day at the Del Mar Races for the 2017 season.
Thoroughbred racing at the Del Mar Race Track opens Wednesday July 19 at the famed Del Mar Fairgrounds in Del Mar California, and runs through September 4th, with the exception of Mondays (other than Labor Day) and Tuesdays.
Thoroughbred horse racing at Del Mar is a hugely popular event for residents and visitors alike, from all over Southern California, and the country. Thoroughbred racing has been popular at the Del Mar race track for decades, always attracting large crowds, and plenty of famous and not so famous people. The races have always been a favorite place to hobnob with Hollywood celebrities and glitterati like Bing Crosby, Jimmy Durante, the Rat Pack, and many others, and the Del Mar Races are still a popular celebrity-sighting venue each summer, but especially on Opening Day, THE social event of the summer season.
Opening Day includes the ever-popular and unique “Opening Day Hats Contest” where you can show on your hat in the Plaza de Mexico between 11:30 and 3; participation is FREE. There are always lots of participants, with some amazing hats. Cash prizes totaling more $5000 are awarded in 5 categories, plus a Grand Prize - Most Glamorous, Best Racing Theme, Most Outrageous, Best Fascinator and Flowers/All Other.
Post time is 2 pm (4 pm on Fridays)! Gates open 2 hours beforehand – get there early, as you can expect crowded parking. Or take the Coaster Train with shuttles by the British Bus Company from the Solana Beach Train Station.
A shorter racing season (a recent add-on) runs from November 1st through the 26th (no racing Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesday EXCEPT Opening Day November 1st).
You can expect heavy race track traffic when traveling the 5 freeway to the East, and the Coast Road to the West, as well as major side streets like Via de la Valle, especially on opening day, in addition to the summer crowds in the Del Mar area.
2260 Jimmy Durante Boulevard
(at the Via de la Valle exit off the 5 freeway)
Del Mar, California
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