Following a 2020 season with no fans in the stands, Del Mar is thrilled to welcome you back to summer’s ultimate outdoor event. It’s a brand new season and once again you can enjoy Thoroughbred racing first hand where the turf meets the surf. There’s nothing quite like the beauty and excitement of spending a day at Del Mar.
Summer officially kicks off on July 16th with Opening Day – a tradition that dates back to 1937 when Bing Crosby welcomed the first fans to Del Mar. Tickets are already sold out for this year’s Opener but there are plenty of days ahead to plan your time at the track. Racing runs Friday through Sunday for the first two weeks, then Thursday through Sunday for the remainder of the season when things wrap up on Labor Day, Monday, September 6th.
As it is every year, Del Mar’s signature event – the TVG Pacific Classic – will be the grand highlight of the summer season. The mile and one-quarter Classic runs for the 31st time on Saturday, August 21st. And Pacific Classic day will showcase a racing card featuring the following five graded stakes races:
Grade I, $750,000 TVG Pacific Classic
Grade I, $300,000 Del Mar Oaks
Grade II, $300,000 Del Mar Handicap
Grade II, $300,000 Del Mar Mile
Grade III, $100,000 Torrey Pines Stakes
All told, Del Mar will offer 34 major stakes for a total of $6,750,000 in purses, making it one of the strongest stakes schedules in the track’s history.
First post will be 2 p.m. on all days except Fridays. Opening Day Friday will have a 2 p.m. post, but then Fridays thereafter will see a 4 p.m. start with the exceptions of the last two Fridays of the meet (August 27 and September 3) when things get underway at 3:30 p.m.
Be sure to make your ticket reservations soon and come out often to enjoy the summer, Del Mar-style. And speaking of tickets, advance reservations are required and seating will be limited. But this summer, your reservation includes admission, a seat, parking and a program – everything you need for a great day at Del Mar. So gather your friends and reserve your tickets today.
We can’t wait to see you trackside for the 2021 season. While a lot has changed since we were last together, our commitment to a safe, clean and fan-friendly environment remains the same. Our safety measures were set in cooperation with state and local public health officials along with Scripps Health and their expert staff. Protocols are updated frequently and are subject to change. The State of California strongly recommends that all individuals be fully vaccinated, obtain a negative COVID-19 test prior to attending the event, or wear a face covering.
We’ll see you back at the track.
Dates: July 16 – September 6
Photography by:
