Del Mar Racetrack’s Opening Day sees an increase in crowds, wagers

A sea of extravagant hats, fascinators, and outfits flocked to Del Mar Thoroughbred Club’s 85th Opening Day, as eager crowds placed bets, socialized, and celebrated the annual summer racing season’s official start.

According to the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, the sold-out event drew 22,284 attendees, an increase in recent years. Additionally, the racetrack reportedly saw 10% increases in the wagering handle and food and beverage sales.

“Opening Day is off to an amazing start,” said Del Mar Thoroughbred Club vice president of marketing Erin Bailey during the festivities. “The crowds were great, the energy was high and we are looking forward to kicking off our world-class race meet.”

Although the different races were well-attended and garnered loud cheers, Opening Day’s 30th annual Hat Contest was also packed with participants and spectators alike. More than 150 contestants competed for over $4,000 in total cash prizes and first to third-place category winners. Categories included Most Glamorous, Best Fascinator, Best Flowers, and Best Racing/All Others Theme.

Judges of the Hat Contest shared that they took note of whether contestants’ hats were handmade, the amount of time required to construct their headwear, the use of fake versus real flowers, cohesion between hat and outfit, and more, for those entered in the competition.

Randi Zakrzewski of San Diego was the grand prize winner of the Hats Contest. Her large-brimmed flower hat was a modern-day nod to the 1964 film “My Fair Lady.”

Zakrzewski competed in the Best Flowers category and was awarded a one-night stay and meal for two at Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa, a $500 Studio Savvy Salon gift basket, and a $300 cash prize for a total value of $1,800.

First place in the Most Glamourous category was awarded to Akilah Templeton of San Diego, whose emerald head-to-toe ensemble featured a strapless, feathered dress.

Violet Oughton from Laguna Niguel won first place for her Best Fascinator entry, which judges described as whimsical and elegant with beautiful layers.

Lori Shelton from Scripps Ranch explained that her Racing Theme hat consisted of 700 hand-glued individual roses. According to Shelton, she started constructing the hat around three weeks previously — working on it for multiple hours daily. She was awarded first place in the Racing Theme. This year was her 28th competition.

Also in attendance was Melissa McLenon, a nurse practitioner who donned an outfit for a cause.

“I work with transplant recipients and we have so many patients waiting on the transplant list, not just for the heart but all the organs,” she said. “I just want to have a purpose to increase awareness for organ donation. Their organs make a difference in our patients’ lives every day.”

Mexican American model Olga Loera decided to keep her outfit simple this year, with an electric blue strapless gown and black feathered fascinator.

“It’s a lot of art when you decide to keep it simple,” Loera said. “This is so simple but it’s so pretty. It’s a lot of blue, a lot of balance. I just love it, the new era of fascinators.”

Unfortunately, two days after the 2024 racing season started, a 4-year-old gelding named Giver Not a Taker died after breaking its leg racing on July 21, according to state horse racing officials. The horse was euthanized and is the first racehorse to die after a racing or training injury at Del Mar in 2024.

A spokesperson from Del Mar Thoroughbred Club did not respond to a request for comment before publication regarding the horse’s death.

As the excitement of Opening Weekend has now drawn to a close, the summer racing season will take place four days a week, Thursdays through Sundays, in addition to Labor Day Monday.

Race results, tickets, live streaming, information, and more are available at dmtc.com.