Del Mar Race Track in Sunset magazine

Southern California weekend

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Day at the races

Del Mar

Why go now: Sun, surf, and

ocean breezes meet big hats, mint juleps, and fast horses on a summer day. Pick a pony: Del Mar Racetrack’s 71st season starts July 21 and ends September 8 (admission from $6; del marscene.com or 858/755-1141).

Dress code: Wear your widestbrimmed hat. And BYOB (binoculars). Racing cred: Seabiscuit raced here in 1938. Theme song: Bing Crosby’s Del Mar–inspired “Where the Turf Meets the Surf” plays before the sixth post (track lingo for the scheduled race start). First post: Usually 2 p.m., but the doors open about 21/2 hours earlier. Number of races per day: 8 to 10 Ditch your wheels: Take Amtrak (amtrak. com or 808/872-7245). Free shuttles run from the nearby Solana Beach station to the track. A whiff of the good old days: The ornate hallways are lined with vintage black-and-white photos and old-school vending machines with bags of warm nuts. For early birds: At Day­break at Del Mar (7:30–9:30; free), a former jockey gives the behind-the-scenes scoop while horses start their workouts.

Stay for a buffet breakfast ($9.95) in the Clubhouse Terrace Restaurant.

BY Chantal Lamers | photographs by Dave Lauridsen Explore more on page 22 » Racing season kicks off this month at Del Mar Racetrack, where you might catch the next Seabiscuit flying by.

Sunset July 2010 21

Southern California Day trip Getting to Del Mar The track is about 20 miles north of San Diego and 100 miles south of L.A. info delmarscene.com; parking from $8 per vehicle. del mar 5

la jolla

san diego

Pick a favorite Before the first post, check out the manicured Paddock (pictured at far left), where horses are saddled and paraded by their jockeys before each race. Want to spot a winner? Superstitious sorts say a horse is raring to go if its ears are pinned back.

Place a bet

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Grab a Daily Racing Form ($5) at the gate for info on the day’s races and horses (we’re partial to names like Watch Me Go Byebye and Jazz Hands). Improve your odds by nabbing an unofficial handicap form with expert picks (we got Bob’s Card outside the gate for $5). Or drop in on the “Newcomers’ Seminar” (free with admission) an hour before the first race. You have until the bugler plays “Call to the Post” to choose a winner.

Stake out a spot

Make it a weekend

About a mile from the track, Les Artistes Inn is a 1940s roadside motel turned whimsical Spanish-style retreat with graceful archways, flower-filled walkways, fireside courtyards, and colorful mosaics. Each of the 12 artist-inspired rooms is different, but we like the Rivera and the O’Keeffe. From $155; twonight weekend minimum; les artistesinn.com or 858/755-4646.

Share your weekend finds. Favorite seaside spot to spend a summer day?

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$6 will get you standing room, and another $8 to $15 will get you a seat.

But we recommend booking a trackside table at the Stretch Run Grill (from $100 for a four-top, plus admission). The food ($) is nothing to write home about, but it’s worth the allday perch with great views. No matter where you are, you’ll see the Winners’ Circle, where the champs are lavished with garlands.

But wait—there’s more Stick around for concerts (free with admission; delmarscene.com/concert) on Fridays and some Saturdays a half-hour after the last winner is declared. Friday’s shows take place on the new Seaside Terrace stage; Saturday’s are on the infield. We’re coming back for the B52s (Aug 6).