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Del Mar Horse Racing Betting | Wagers, Schedules & More

Del mar is located in California and hosts some of the biggest horse races in North America including the Pacific Classic.

Bet on Del Mar

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About Del Mar Horse Racing Betting

Del Mar Racetrack is a landmark Thoroughbred horse racing venue located at the Del Mar Fairgrounds in the seaside city of Del Mar, California, roughly 20 miles north of San Diego along the Pacific Ocean. It opened on July 3, 1937, founded by the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club under the leadership of entertainer Bing Crosby—who greeted the first fans at the gate—along with a group of Hollywood stars and businessmen including Pat O’Brien, Gary Cooper, and Charles S. Howard. Built on a scenic 370-acre coastal property, the track quickly became famous for its slogan “Where the Turf Meets the Surf,” perfectly capturing its unique blend of world-class racing and beachside atmosphere.
en.wikipedia.org

The one-mile oval track features both a dirt main course and a 7/8-mile turf course, with a spectator capacity of approximately 44,000, making it the second-largest horse racing facility in the western United States. It hosts a popular summer racing meet from mid-July through early September, highlighted by prestigious Grade I stakes such as the Pacific Classic, Del Mar Futurity, and Del Mar Oaks, along with a shorter fall meet in November. Among its most celebrated moments is the legendary 1938 Seabiscuit vs. Ligaroti match race, which drew 20,000 fans and national radio attention, cementing Del Mar’s place in American racing history. Today it remains a vibrant destination known for top-tier competition, festive crowds, and its unmistakable coastal charm.

 

When Does Del Mar Race?

Del Mar Thoroughbred Club (Del Mar Racetrack) will host live Thoroughbred racing in 2026 during two separate meets:Summer Meet
  • Dates: Friday, July 17 – Monday, September 7, 2026 (Labor Day)
  • Opening Day: Friday, July 17, 2026
  • This is the main, high-profile summer season featuring the $1 million Pacific Classic on Saturday, August 22.
Fall Meet (Bing Crosby Season)
  • Dates: Friday, November 6 – Sunday, November 29, 2026
These dates are confirmed directly on the official Del Mar Thoroughbred Club website. Racing does not run every single day during the meets (typically several days per week), but the full season spans the periods above.

What Are the Big Races at Del Mar?

 
1. Pacific Classic (Grade I)
  • Date: Saturday, August 22, 2026
  • Purse: $1,000,000
  • Distance: 1¼ miles
  • Conditions: 3-year-olds & up
  • Del Mar’s signature race and the richest event of the meet. It’s the clear highlight of the summer season.
2. Bing Crosby Stakes (Grade I)
  • Date: Saturday, July 25, 2026
  • Purse: $400,000
  • Distance: 6 furlongs
  • Conditions: 3-year-olds & up
  • One of the top sprint races in California and a key early highlight of the meet.
3. Clement L. Hirsch Stakes (Grade I)
  • Date: Saturday, August 1, 2026
  • Purse: $400,000
  • Distance: 1⅙ miles
  • Conditions: Fillies & mares, 3-year-olds & up
  • Major race for older females on the dirt.
4. Del Mar Oaks (Grade I)
  • Date: Saturday, August 22, 2026
  • Purse: $300,000
  • Distance: 1⅛ miles (turf)
  • Conditions: 3-year-old fillies
  • Run on the same card as the Pacific Classic. One of the top races for sophomore fillies on grass.
5. Del Mar Futurity (Grade I)
  • Date: Sunday, September 6, 2026
  • Purse: $300,000
  • Distance: 7 furlongs
  • Conditions: 2-year-olds
  • Historic race for juveniles and one of the key closing-weekend stakes.
Honorable mention: The Del Mar Debutante (G1) on September 5 is also a major Grade I race for 2-year-old fillies and very close in prestige to the Futurity.These six Grade I races form the backbone of Del Mar’s high-quality summer stakes program. The Pacific Classic is widely regarded as the biggest race of the entire meeting.

What is the Betting Menu at Del Mar?

There are plenty of wagering options for horseplayers at Del Mar.

Among the ways you can bet on Santa Anita are:

Win: Bet on a horse to finish first.

Place: Bet on a horse to finish first or second.

Show: Bet on a horse to finish first, second, or third.

Exotic Bets

Exacta: Pick the first and second place finishers in exact order.

Trifecta: Pick the first, second, and third place finishers in exact order.

Superfecta: Pick the first, second, third, and fourth place finishers in exact order.

Multi-Race Wagers

Daily Double: Pick the winners of two consecutive races.

Pick 3: Pick the winners of three consecutive races.

Offered multiple times per day, with the first Pick 3 starting on the first race and continuing through the day, and the final Pick 3 encompassing the last three races.

Pick 4: Pick the winners of four consecutive races.

Pick 5: Pick the winners of five consecutive races. Generally available on the first five and the last five races of the day.

Pick 6: Pick the winners of six consecutive races.

Super High Five: Pick the first five finishers in exact order.

Betting Minimums:

$2 for WPS

$1 Exacta, Double

$1 for Trifecta

.10 for Superfecta

$1 for Pick 3

.50 Pick 4, and Pick 5

$2 for Pick 6

What are the Takeout Rates at Del Mar?

Win, Place, Show: 15.43%

Exacta: 22.68%

Trifecta, Superfecta: 23.68%

Daily Double: 20%

Late Double: 15%

High Five: 23.68%

Pick 3: 23.68%

Pick 4: 23.68%

Early Pick 5: 14%

Late Pick 5: 23.68%

Pick 6: 23.68%

Sunset Pick 6: 15%

Coast to Coast Pick 5: 15%

All Turf Pick 3: 15%

Can I Bet on Del Mar at Iron Bets?

Horseplayers can watch and wager on the action from Del Mar at Iron Bets! New players receive up to a $300 first deposit bonus, great rewards, free past performances, daily promotions and much more! Sign up at Iron Bets today

Del Mar Racetrack

2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd, Del Mar, CA 92014