| Del Mar Thoroughbred Club |
Article Index for Del Mar |
Shopping Thoroughbred |
Limousines in Del Mar |
Website Links For Del Mar |
Information AboutDel Mar Thoroughbred Club |
|
HISTORY AND INFORMATION When Del Mar opened in 1937 , Bing Crosby was at the gate to personally greet the fans. In 1938, a huge match race was held between the legendary Seabiscuit and Ligaroti . By 1940, Del Mar became the summer playground for many Hollywood stars. Between 1942 and 1944 Del Mar was closed for the duration of the Second World War. The first Bing Crosby Handicap was held at Del Mar in 1946 and that same year the Sante Fe Railroad began offering a racetrack special bringing spectators, bettors and horses to Del Mar from Los Angeles. Throughout the late 1940's and 1950's the track became the Saratoga of the West for summer racing. The track had large purses for many stakes, over half of which were won by the legendary jockey, Bill Shoemaker. Throughout the 1960's and 1970's the track continued to offer high quality racing and continued to be one of the premier racetracks in the country. The track attempted to run a fall meet in the 1960's but later cancelled it after getting lackluster results. This allowed for the creation of the Oak Tree Racing Association. Change marked the 1980's when the infield was opened to spectators and Trevor Denman became the voice of Del Mar. The track still offered the best summer racing in the West and continued to grow in purses, handle, and attendance. In the 1990's the track underwent a major renovation. The grandstand of the Del Mar Fairgrounds was demolished and replaced. In 1991 the track ran its richest race to date, the $1,000,000 Grade One Pacific Classic. The race was won by an impressive three-year-old named Best Pal. Into the new century the track continued to post records in handle and attendance and offerred some of the greatest thoroughbred racing in America. PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES The track has a one mile main dirt track and a seven furlong turf course. The track runs during the summer at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. RACING The track races from July to September. It presents the following graded stakes races:
EXTERNAL LINKS |
|
|