Racetrack fills every day with fun

DEL MAR — Between major events, the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club Mar offers weekly deals that include:
— Half-off admission. It’s free to sign up for the Diamond Club onsite where membership grants half-off admission any day of the meet. As a result, a family of four, with two children under 18, can spend a full day cheering on the horses for only $6.
— Free and Easy Wednesdays provide free grandstand admission, a complimentary reserved seat, a free program, as well as half-priced beer, soda and hot dogs in Stretch Run concessions every Wednesday with the exception of Opening Day. Free and Easy Wednesdays are for Diamond Club members only.
— Every Thursday the track will give away a cruise to Mexico during the Carnival Cruise Contest. Diamond Club members are automatically entered to win upon admission. Two names will be chosen to watch the seventh race from the Winners’ Circle and select the horse they believe will win. The person having chosen the horse that does the best will win the cruise. In addition, Thursdays are Senior Day, providing seniors Stretch Run admission, a program and a seat – all for free.
— The Del Mar Summer Concert Series, featuring “4 O’Clock Fridays,” returns this year with free concerts every Friday after the last race and on select Saturdays. This year’s lineup includes Weezer, ZZ Top, The B52s, Matisyahu, Jimmy Cliff and more. Beer fests will be held Aug. 14, Aug. 21 and Sept. 4 and a Microbrew Festival Aug. 28.
Every Saturday and Sunday from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m., fans have the chance to get the inside scoop on racing with Daybreak at Del Mar. Catch the morning workouts with commentary and a question and answer session from trackside announcer and former jockey Jeff Bloom. Breakfast is served at the Clubhouse Terrace Restaurant for less than $10 as the horses gallop by. Donuts Day on Aug. 21 offers another opportunity for a behind-the-scenes look into racing lead by track announcer Trevor Denman and special guest jockeys and trainers from 8 to10 a.m. Donuts, coffee and juice will be offered free of charge.
— As is tradition, every Sunday is Family Day at the races with entertainment for the youngsters in the infield including pony rides and inflatable games. A Family Fun Day will take place on Labor Day, Sept. 6.
Racing at Del Mar happens Wednesday through Sunday, with post time for the first race on most days at 2 p.m. On Fridays first post is at 4 p.m. for the first four Fridays and 3:30 p.m. for the last three. There will be a special Monday racing card on Labor Day, Sept. 6. For more information, call (858) 755-1141 or visit www.delmarscene.com.
You can follow the Del Mar racetrack on Twitter, @DelMarScene or become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/DelMarRaces.