By Ray Paulick
For some (but obviously not very many), Del Mar’s opening day is the proverbial “place that’s so crowded nobody goes there anymore.” For the second consecutive year, the track where the turf meets the surf set an all-time attendance record, with 45,309 mostly beautiful people taking planes, trains and limousines to be seen, photographed, have a good time, and maybe even watch a Thoroughbred race or two.

Many of the 4,500 regulars who populate Southern California racetracks the rest of the year took Wednesday off, like drunks who stay home on New Year’s Eve, leaving the raucous opening day to the amateurs. From a social standpoint, it’s Kentucky Oaks and Derby Day rolled into one happy annual event when the local media is out in force, celebrities make the scene, posers practice their posing, and funny, glamorous and creative hats are everywhere. All of the San Diego television stations began their on-site opening day coverage early Wednesday morning and every 11 o’clock news show led with a recap of the afternoon (one of them, remembering some of the horrors of the past, telling viewers that no horses suffered any injuries this year).

For many San Diegans, Del Mar’s opening day is their No. 1 event of the year. It is the place to be, and to be seen.

Thursday will be back to normal, other than a few hangovers, and plenty of seats will be available. The 4,500 regulars will go back to worrying about short fields, the condition of the track, and whether or not racing in California can be saved.

For one crazy, glorious day, those worries are cast aside.

Tags: california racing, Del Mar, kentucky derby, kentucky oaks, Paulick Report

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