Page 2 - Del Mar Book

DEL MAR 92014
For up-to-date, valuable information on all aspects of Del Mar: www.del-mar-guide.com
Del Mar: Sleepy Village by the Sea
Near-perfect weather year-round attracts a steady stream of repeat visitors who come to Del Mar to enjoy miles of coastline, two beautiful beaches, the famous Torrey Pines State Reserve, and outstanding dining and shopping in a quaint Tudoresque village, dotted with historical cottages and the finest in innovative architectural design.
Del Mar is the closest you will come to finding a true village atmosphere in coastal San Diego County. Thanks to the vigilant attempts of the populace to keep development under control, coupled with the breezy, relaxed atmosphere of the racetrack, Del Mar has the air of a less harried time in California’s past.
Where the Surf Meets the Turf
The Del Mar Thoroughbred Club and Race Track is open from late July through early September, packing the town with racing buffs. Beginning in November 2014, the Del Mar Racetrack will host an additional 5 week season of horse racing. The Bing Crosby Season goes from Friday, November 7 through Sunday, November 30th. The track is closed on Monday for the both track sessions. The racetrack was built in the 1930’s as the brainchild of local celebrities, Bing Crosby, Jimmy Durante, and Pat O’Brien. Bing wrote and recorded a song to commemorate the track’s opening in 1937. “Where the Surf Meets the Turf ” is still played before the first race.
When Del Mar opened in 1937, Bing Crosby was at the gate to personally greet the fans. On August 12, 1938, the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club hosted a $25,000 winner-take-all match race between Charles S. Howard’s Seabiscuit and the Binglin Stable’s colt, Ligaroti. In an era when horse racing ranked second in popularity with Americans to Major League Baseball, the match race was front-page news, as well as the first nationwide broadcast of a thoroughbred race by NBC radio.
In the race, Seabiscuit was ridden by jockey George Woolf and Ligaroti by Noel Richardson. In front of a record crowd that helped make the fledgling Del Mar Race Track a success, Seabiscuit won an exciting battle by a nose.
By 1940, Del Mar became the summer playground for many Hollywood stars, including W.C. Fields, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, Red Skelton, Ava Gardner, and Dorothy Lamour. Long-time Track boss, Joe Harper, is himself the grandson of film director Cecil B. De Mille.
Many of the jockeys and trainers at the Del Mar Racetrack have reached legendary status as well. Among them are Johnny Longden, who had the record for the most wins at Del Mar until his record was surpassed by William Lee “Bill” Shoemaker in 1970. Laffit Pincay, Jr. is one of our modern-day greats, and notable trainers include Charles Wittingham, Farrell Jones, Robert Frankel and Bob Baffert.
02/2019 - INFORMATION IS DEEMED RELIABLE, BUT NOT GUARANTEED. 1