Del Mar: The Short Form

Where the turf meets the surf Down at old Del Mar, Take a plane, take a train, take a car, There’s a smile on every face And a winner in each race Where the turf meets the surf at Del Mar.

BING CROSBY recorded his song “Where the Turf Meets the “ in 1938, one year after he and fellow movie star Pat O’Brien founded the Del Mar track about 40 miles north of the Mexican border and just half a mile from the ocean. Until a couple of years ago, trainers would walk their horses to the shore so they could stand knee-deep in the Pacific. That’s no longer practical, but the grandstand’s view of the ocean and the fact that Crosby’s song is still played twice daily during the 43-day season keeps the historic turf-and-surf connection alive.

The now state-owned track, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, is leased to the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club and is run as a nonprofit organization. All proceeds--more than $27 million since 1970--are funneled back into the facility.

SEASON OPENS: July 29.

CLOSES: Sept. 16.

ADMISSION: $2.50 for grandstand and infield, $5 for the clubhouse. Reserved seats cost $3 more. Membership in the Turf Club runs $600 per year per family, or $400 per year per single. Guests pay $17. (Grandstand has the track’s best seats.)

PARKING: $2 general, $3 preferred, $7 valet. Shuttle service from lot to gate.

DRESS: Casual and cool. But bring a light sweater for late afternoon.

TEMPERATURE: Average 71 degrees. Daytime humidity is 50%-60%.

REFRESHMENTS: Concession stands, cafeteria, and seated, a la carte dining in the clubhouse.

HOURS: First of nine races starts at 2 p.m. Last race about 6 p.m. weekdays, about 6:30 p.m. weekends. Gates open at noon; fans can watch workouts from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Track is closed Tuesdays.

ATTENDANCE: In 1986, daily average was 19,682, less than 100 shy of the 1985 track record.

BUSIEST DAY OF THE WEEK: Sunday.

LEAST CROWDED: Monday and Thursday.

BETS: Minimum is $2. A total of $161,349,386 was wagered last year.

WINNINGS: In 1986, the track paid out $131,667,684.

BEST RACING DAYS: Weekends. Biggest stakes generally on Sunday.

SEASON’S TOTAL PURSE: More than $9 million, of which about $2.8 million will be paid out in the 30 stakes events (the stakes are always the eighth race).

STAKES SCHEDULE:

Aug. 30: $150,000 Del Mar Oaks

Sept. 6: $125,000 Del Mar Debutante

Sept. 7: $300,000 Del Mar Invitational Handicap

(richest race of the season)

Sept. 12: $150,000 Del Mar Budweiser Breeders’ Cup

Sept. 13: 150,000 Ramona Handicap

Sept. 16 (closing day): $150,000 Del Mar Futurity.

CONTENDERS: An average of eight to 10--and a maximum of 12--horses compete in each race.

CHAMPIONS: During last five years, 14 national Eclipse Award (the Oscars of horse racing) winners have run at Del Mar.

RACING TIPS: The 75-cent program gives horses’ names, ages, breeding history, sex, betting (or saddle) numbers, colors of silks, jockey, trainer and odds. For past performance records, consult the $2 Daily Racing Form. To judge the horses yourself, head to the saddling area about 15 minutes before the race.

HOT SPOT: Bully’s bar and restaurant on Camino del Mar is perhaps Del Mar’s most identifiable--and most crowded--post-race hangout.

ACCOMMODATIONS: Many fans spend the weekend, the week or the season in town, so hotel space is at a premium. If you want to spend the weekend in Del Mar, make reservations at least two weeks ahead of time. A variety of hotels and motels are also available in neighboring communities. For a listing of accommodations write to: Chamber of Commerce, 1401 Camino del Mar, Suite 101, Del Mar 90214.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

General track information: (619) 755-1141

Ticket information during racing season only:

(619) 481-1207

Del Mar Chamber of Commerce: (619) 755-4844.