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Published: July 23rd 2012
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Call to Post
This gentleman has been playing the call to post at Del Mar for 28 years. I happen to live fairly close to the Del Mar Race Track, one of the best thoroughbred racing venues in the US. It’s a great place to spend a sunny summer afternoon watching fine horses and interesting people.
Del Mar was founded in 1937 by some rather well-known celebrities: Bing Crosby, Jimmy Durante, Pat O’Brien, Oliver Hardy (of Laurel and Hardy fame) plus one lone horseman, Charles S. Howard. Mr. Howard was one of the most successful Buick dealers of all time, and he just happened to own a horse named Seabiscuit. In fact, the very first live broadcast of a horserace was a match race in 1938 at Del Mar between Seabiscuit and Ligaroti. Seabiscuit won.
From the time it opened until the start of the Second World War, Del Mar was where the Hollywood crowd came to drink and gamble, to play and be seen. Even today, the grandstand sports photos of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnez, Pat O’Brien, Bing Crosby, Leo Carillo, and others. It’s grand fun to just walk around and look at the old pictures.
But the tradition of good horses and great jockeys continues at Del Mar. Lafitte Pincay and Bill Shoemaker
Pat O'Brien and Bing Crosby
Two of the founders of Del Mar both raced here. Bill Shoemaker had won more races than any other jockey in history when he retired. Nine years later, his record was broken by Lafitte Pincay. Today’s crop of riders include Chantal Sutherland, Patrick Valenzuela, and a host of others.
Del Mar’s 2012 race season opened a few days ago. I’m not nuts enough to go to opening day; too many people wearing big hats looking to be seen and too many people who don’t have a clue about what is really going on. Here’s a hint: when the woman standing next to you squeals “Ooh, that horse is so pretty,” she probably can’t tell a filly from a gelding. For me the last straw came when
“The Real Housewives of Orange County” filmed here on Opening Day 2011. (For those of you outside the US,
“The Real Housewives…” is a silly reality TV show about silly, shallow women who bicker and fight about silly and shallow slights.)
So here I am on the second day of the 75
th season at Del Mar. It was a beautiful day; warm and sunny with a little breeze. Del Mar is a beautiful track with a grandstand built in
Spanish Colonial style and an infield dotted with lakes and palm trees. The Pacific Ocean is a short distance away.
The horses this day were a mixed bunch. All the races were claiming races, and none of the horses had won much, if anything, in their careers. Still, there was a plenty of excitement.
In the first race, Not Too Knotty, listed at 12 to 1 odds, beat the top three picks to come in first and paid $27. In the second race, Yankee Rebel also beat the top three picks. He came out of the gate last to cross the finish line first by almost two lengths. This bet paid $18.60.
In the fourth race, Silver Lightening dumped his jockey during the post parade and immediately took off at a full gallop. This horse ran the entire length of the mile-long track before being caught by one of the outriders. I don’t know if anyone timed his run, but this horse seemed eager to race.
I watched five races, bet on two, won none. However, I got in for free, so total cost was US$ 4, not bad for an afternoon’s entertainment.
Possibly useful info:
Del Mar Racetrack 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd, Del Mar, CA www.dmtc.com The track runs a free shuttle from the train station in Solana Beach. If you’re lucky, your bus driver will play his ukulele and serenade you while you board.
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Lil' Bro
non-member comment
You Really Are Retired!
You must be retired in you have time to lounge around at the race track!! Isn't big risks, big reward?