Del Mar Racetrack
Where the turf meets the surf. Del Mar Racetrack opened in 1937 under the patronage of Bing Crosby and remains one of the most picturesque settings in American racing, set just steps from the Pacific Ocean in San Diego County. The summer meet runs from late July through early September.
COUNTER-CLOCKWISE (LEFT-HANDED)
EST. 1937
About Del Mar Racetrack
Where the turf meets the surf. Del Mar Racetrack opened in 1937 under the patronage of Bing Crosby and remains one of the most picturesque settings in American racing, set just steps from the Pacific Ocean in San Diego County. The summer meet runs from late July through early September. Del Mar Racetrack is located at 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd, Del Mar, CA 92014.
Pacific Classic, late August
Del Mar’s signature race, a $1 million Grade 1 over 1 1/4 miles on dirt. Past winners include Cigar, Tinners Way, Dare and Go, Game On Dude, Shared Belief and Accelerate. The Pacific Classic is one of the year’s major Breeders’ Cup Classic prep races.
Meets & featured races
Del Mar runs two meets each year: the Summer Meet from mid-July through early September (the meet that established the track’s reputation), and a brief Bing Crosby Fall Meet in November. The track shares the Southern California circuit with Santa Anita — many of the same trainers, jockeys and horses migrate between the two.
Pacific Classic (late August)
The Pacific Classic is Del Mar’s biggest race, worth $1 million and run over the classic 1 1/4-mile dirt distance. Cigar’s 1996 loss to Dare and Go in the Pacific Classic ended his 16-race winning streak — one of the most famous upsets in American racing history. More recent winners include Shared Belief, Accelerate and Tripoli.
Bing Crosby Stakes (late July)
The Bing Crosby Stakes is a Grade 1 sprint over six furlongs on dirt, run on Opening Day weekend. The race honors the iconic crooner who was one of Del Mar’s original founding investors in 1937. The Bing Crosby winner is automatically ‘Win and You’re In’ qualified for the Breeders’ Cup Sprint.
Del Mar Oaks (late August)
The Grade 1 Del Mar Oaks is the country’s premier turf race for three-year-old fillies, run over 1 1/8 miles on grass. The race typically attracts a top-class international field and is one of the leading prep races for the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf.
Pacific Classic Key Trends
Pace tactics matter at the trip — deep closers with proven 10-furlong stamina dominate the race. Front-runners rarely succeed against the deep August Southern California field. Horses that have already won a Grade 1 or Grade 2 over the distance hold the strongest claims.
Live races at Del Mar
Upcoming races at this track
Live racecards pulled from our North American racing data feed, refreshed throughout the day.
No scheduled meets at this track in the next 14 days.
Check the Racing Predictor for today's races at other US tracks, or visit Racing Data for past results and statistics.
Pacific Classic — key trends
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Track statistics & betting angles
1-mile dirt main track and a 7-furlong inner turf course. Del Mar’s turf course is one of the most highly regarded in the country and produces consistent, fair racing.
The coastal location moderates temperatures during the summer meet — afternoons in the 70s while inland Southern California bakes. The track is famously close to the Pacific Ocean.
Many California-based trainers run heavily at Del Mar in summer, then ship east to other major venues for the fall championship season. Form ties closely between Del Mar, Santa Anita and the Breeders’ Cup.
Bob Baffert, Phil D’Amato, John Sadler, Doug O’Neill and Richard Mandella all have strong Del Mar records. Baffert tends to dominate the stakes program.
How to watch Del Mar racing
FanDuel TV provides full live coverage of every Del Mar race throughout both meets. NBC Sports has expanded its Pacific Classic coverage in recent years. For race-by-race picks, the horse.bet Racing Predictor publishes daily Del Mar analysis the morning of racing.
Visiting Del Mar
Del Mar Racetrack is in Del Mar, California, about 20 miles north of downtown San Diego. The track is accessible from I-5 (Via de la Valle exit). Limited Coaster commuter rail service runs from downtown San Diego on weekends. Free general admission parking. The summer meet has a relaxed dress code — this is California beach racing.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Del Mar summer meet?
The Del Mar summer meet runs from mid-July through early September. The fall Bing Crosby meet runs in November.
What is Del Mar’s most famous race?
The Pacific Classic, a $1 million Grade 1 over 1 1/4 miles on dirt, run in late August. Cigar’s historic loss in the 1996 Pacific Classic is the race’s most famous moment.
How can I bet on Del Mar?
AmWager offers wagering on every Del Mar race with a new customer bonus and access to all major US tracks.
Why is Del Mar called ‘where the turf meets the surf’?
Del Mar Racetrack is located just steps from the Pacific Ocean. The marketing slogan was coined in the 1940s and has stuck ever since.
Where can I find Del Mar picks?
The horse.bet Racing Predictor publishes daily Del Mar picks throughout both meets, with full-field probability ratings.
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