DEL MAR — Equine athletes hit the ground running on Saturday at the Del Mar Racetrack for the start of the 85th annual summer racing season, drawing fashionable crowds eager to place their bets.
The sold-out Opening Day drew 22,484 eager attendees to the beloved track. As in past years, attendance has been capped below the venue’s 44,000-person capacity to provide a better customer experience.
A total of $26 million in purse money is available over the 31-day season ending Sept. 8, with 39 stakes races worth $7.8 million alone.
“This is Del Mar’s 85th season and it has all the early markings of one of our best years yet,” said Mac McBride, media director for the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club.
Jockey Juan Hernandez was the star of the Oval on Saturday, taking home three first-place wins and finishing in the top three in seven out of 11 total races. After securing the Del Mar title the past two summers, Hernandez is looking to take it home again this year.
“I like the competition,” Hernandez told the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club. “I’ve always thought the competition makes you better. We have two or three new guys. Good quality. I like it. I’m really excited to start the meet. I’m going to keep working hard in the mornings and afternoons, and hopefully, we can get a good start.”
Jockey Umberto Rispoli bagged two big wins on Opening Weekend, including the Oceanside Stakes on Saturday and the Osunitas Stakes on Sunday, each with a $100,000 purse.
While much of the excitement takes place on the track, impressive feats in fashion also took center stage on Saturday, with attendees dressed to the nines in their best suits, dresses and fascinator-style hats.
For the Opening Day Hats Contest, around 150 contestants took their headwear to the next level, donning larger-than-life pieces featuring flowers, tulle, horse figurines and even scenic depictions of the Racetrack.
Randi Zakrzewski of San Diego was named the Grand Prize winner with an enormous yet elegant flower-brimmed hat, taking home a grand prize worth $1,800.
Announcer Trevor Denman also returned this year as the voice of the track, providing spirited narration from the announcing booth for his 40th summer season.
Following opening weekend, summer racing takes place four days a week, Thursday through Sunday, in addition to Labor Day Monday.
Tickets for the summer season are available online at dmtc.com, along with race results and live streaming.
