FINE | L I F E S T Y L E
just as significant. Place your bets on this most obvious answer: the “Track Scene”; a social phenomenon just as exciting as the horses. It’s easy to point to Opening Day as the biggest, most outlandish and wonderful spectacle; because it is. What started quietly in the 40’s as a “hat tradition” has taken off as The One and Only Truly Fabulous Hats Contest. HATS are the objects of art that command great care, planning and elaborate production. This year will be no different; there will be record numbers of fans coming out with their
latest,
greatest HAT creations. There will also be record fans awaiting to see the season’s greatest with the same excitement they will await the first horse race. According to Ann Hall, Del Mar ticket sales, “Opening Day has become its own special event,” she explains. “It’s almost like we prepare for Opening Day, and then we prepare for the rest of the season. It’s crazy and remarkable that it’s such the place to be.” Truly, much planning goes into
attending a day at Del Mar, from what to wear, transportation and parking, and where to go once you arrive. At the top echelon is the Turf Club; a private club with annual membership and a dress code. For some, it’s a matter of horse racing tradition and the only way to go, however, equally impressive are both the Stretch Run and Clubhouse levels. Here there are no dress codes, however, a total of 600 boxed seats can be leased each season on levels 1 through 4. The Sky Equius is also available on the 6th level. The Del Mar website has an elaborate map of the grandstand. As Ann describes, seating is a personal choice: “Some want the infield because it’s the closest they
can get to the thundering hooves. Others want trackside dining. Others never sit and go hang out in the Paddock or Winner’s
Circle.” Still others are perfectly content showing up in shorts and flip flops. This, says Director of
Media, Mac McBride, is what makes the Del Mar Track so appealing and accessible. “We have something for everyone at De Mar,” he says. We want people of every kind to come to Del Mar, and we want them to be comfortable, happy and have a good time when they’re here. We offer amenities of all kinds at every level, so one way or the other, we’ve got it.” However you roll, the possibility
of WINNING seems to be the great equalizer. Mac couldn’t help but share his best track story that pretty much sums up this sentiment:
“There’s a great old race track saying,” says Mac:
“A very poor man got lucky with a horse and raced him against a very rich man. And the poor man beat the rich man’s horse. The rich man took it in good stride and said, ‘Do you know that on the turf, all men are equal.’ “It’s true. At the race track,
it’s all about WHO has the best horse. But it’s also about who has $2 and can bet the winner,” says Mac. “It doesn’t matter if you’re wearing a fancy jacket or a pair
of bermuda’s. If you bet the winner, that’s what it’s all about.”
The 2010 Del Mar race track season is just around the corner. Where will you be when that long shot comes in?
For more information, please visit:
www.dmtc.com
Ticket sales: 858-792-4242 Group Sales: 858-792-4234
32 FINE magazine •
www.FINEsd.com
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