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Local Wally's Guide to San Diego

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Del Mar Prepares For Fall Season of Thoroughbred Racing November 11 – December 4

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‘Bing Crosby Season’ returns to the seaside oval for 15 days of sport along with free concerts and events November 11 – December 4

DEL MAR, Calif. – The iconic racetrack is gearing up for its fall meet, the ‘Bing Crosby Season’, set to kick-off Friday, November 11. The fall season, now heading into its third year, is all about bringing back the old-school cool, journeying back to the era and style of the track’s founder who started it all, Hollywood legend Bing Crosby.

Over the course of the four-week meet, Del Mar will come alive once more with signature seasonal events and a pair of free concerts, first with Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals on Saturday, November 12 and then another popular Reggae Fest featuring Iration on Saturday, November 19.

Opening Day of Bing Crosby Season is also Veterans Day and is a day to celebrate and also one to remember. In collaboration with the American Legion, the afternoon’s Veterans Day Salute will feature patriotic activities including the unfurling of one of the largest U.S. flags in the country – the famous Holiday Bowl flag; parachute jumpers; a Stars and Stripes fashion contest; a ride-in by several veteran motorcycle clubs, and award winning Cali Comfort Bar-B-Q. There will also be a special post-race concert by rising country star Coffey Anderson, along with other military bands and musical guests.

Then on Saturday, November 19 the track welcomes college students to its annual College Day where all students get in free with valid college I.D. and can enjoy live music by DJs, activities, football and more on the third floor of the Clubhouse. On tap the following Saturday, November 26 is Del Mar’s Craft Fall Beer and Cider Festival offering more than 100 local seasonal brews and ciders to taste. Also on that Saturday, Del Mar will host a Fall Food Truck Festival with more than 30 food trucks from San Diego, Los Angeles and Orange County bringing their best mobile delights.

Additionally, Del Mar will be open on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 24 with a special racing card and an early 11 a.m. post time. Catching a few races while the turkey cooks is the perfect way to create a new holiday tradition with friends and family. Or, leave the cooking up to Del Mar and reserve a Thanksgiving package that comes with admission, Turf Club table, and a mouth-watering brunch menu or turkey dinner with all the trimmings to chose from. Also on Thanksgiving morning, bring the entire family out to stretch their legs around the track before the big meal during Del Mar’s One Mile Family Fun Run at 8 a.m. Runners will complete a one-mile loop on the dirt track and may even find themselves running alongside a jockey or two. A host of family-friendly activities will be available after the race, along with a puppy run and puppy adoption event put on by the Helen Woodward Animal Center.

Saturday, December 3 is Fleece Blanket Giveaway Day. Guests that afternoon will receive a soft, fleece blanket to cozy up with.

Every Saturday throughout the fall season early morning risers can take in amazing track views and enjoy a fresh breakfast during the morning workouts at Daybreak at Del Mar, from 8 -10 a.m.  Former jockey-turned-owner Jeff Bloom will host an interactive Q&A session during the workouts providing insight and fun facts about everything horseracing.

Then every Sunday brunch lovers have something to celebrate with Taste of the Turf Club. Guests’ can purchase a brunch package that includes bottomless mimosas, a rotating menu by popular San Diego chef Brian Malarkey and a Turf Club table for the race day.

Racing during the ‘Bing Crosby Season’ will take place Thursday through Sunday. Post time will be 12:30 p.m. The one exception will be Thanksgiving Day, with first post shifted to 11 a.m. Admission at ALL gates will be $6 ($3 for Diamond Club members). All concerts are 18 and up.

For more information, call 858-755-1141 or visit www.delmarracing.com. You can follow Del Mar on Instagram, Twitter, and Snapchat @DelMarRacing or like us on Facebook at Facebook.com/DelMarRaces.


Bing Crosby Season is Back at Del Mar
Del Mar Thoroughbred Club kicks off its fall season on Veterans Day, Friday, November 11


DEL MAR, Calif. — The iconic racetrack is gearing up for its fall meet, the ‘Bing Crosby
Season,’ now heading into its third year. It’s all about bringing back the old-school cool,
journeying back to the era and style of the track’s founder who started it all, Hollywood
legend Bing Crosby. The 15-day session will bring world-class racing the seaside track
is historically known for, along with signature seasonal events including a pair of free
concerts, festivals, Thanksgiving day events and eclectic outdoor dining options.

• Opening Day & Veterans Salute – Friday, November 11, Opening Day of Bing
Crosby Season is also Veterans Day, and guests are invited to celebrate the
holiday by joining the seaside track as they team up with a nearby American
Legion Post, Encinitas’ American Legion San Dieguito Post 416, for a
special Veterans Day Salute and fundraising event that will have stars and
stripes written all over it to hail those who have served in U.S. military branches.
The day’s patriotic activities will include the unfurling of one of the largest U.S.
flags in the country – the famous Holiday Bowl flag; parachute jumpers; a ride-in
by several veteran motorcycle clubs, and an award winning Cali Comfort Bar-BQ.
There will also be a special post-race concert by rising country star Coffey
Anderson, along with other military bands and musical guests.


A Stars & Stripes Fashion Contest with more than $3,000 in prizes, including a
fabulous stay at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar, will take place as part of the
Opening Day festivities. Everyone is invited to dress up in their most festive and
fashionable attire by donning red, white and blue or going for best pin-up or
celebrity look. The fashion contest will take place between 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
in the Plaza de Mexico.


• Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals – Saturday, November 12, Ben Harper &
The Innocent Criminals will kick off Del Mar’s fall concert series by taking the
stage after the last race, scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Sit back, relax and enjoy the
eclectic mix of blues, folk, soul, reggae and rock music. Longtime fans are
ecstatic to see live hits from their newest album, Call It What It Is, which was
released earlier this year after an eight-year gap from their previous record. Mimi
Zulu will open.


• Taste of the Turf Club – Sunday, November 13, and every Sunday throughout
the fall season, one of San Diego's most celebrated chefs, Brian Malarkey will
bring his talents trackside for Taste of the Turf Club, which includes a rotating
three-course menu, Turf Club table and bottomless Chandon mimosas.
Reservations and dress code required.


• Free & Fun Sundays – Sunday, November 13, and every Sunday at Del Mar, is
Free and Fun. Receive FREE Stretch Run admission, FREE program and FREE
seat along with HALF PRICE Beer (domestic drafts), Bloody Marys, mimosas
and Champagne splits. Reserve a table with your own personal TV at First Turn
restaurant to watch your favorite Sunday Pro Football games or check them out
at 17 Hands Pub or the Paddock Tavern.


The Bing Crosby Season runs November 11 – December 4, racing Thursday – Sunday
with post time for the first race at 12:30 p.m. On Thanksgiving Day the first post is
shifted to 11 a.m. For more information, call 858-755-1141 or visit
www.delmarracing.com. You can follow the Del Mar on Twitter and Instagram
@DelMarRacing or become a fan on Facebook/DelMarRaces.