Party In The Paddock

The Longest Party Of The Year
The days are long, the nights are warm, and like the song says, it’s "summertime and the livin’ is easy." Nowhere is the livin’ easier than at the Del Mar Race Track, which is well into its 68th season after celebrating opening day with none other than "The One & Only Truly Fabulous Hat Contest."

"I go to the Oscars every year because I have some connections with my other life in the motion picture business," says Del Mar Thoroughbred Club (DMTC) president and general manager Joe Harper, "and I’ll tell you, it’s every bit as glamorous and as fun and as exciting as the Oscars." But don’t worry if you missed it; there’s still plenty of fun to be had at the track and you don’t even have to place a bet.

As if the premier seaside location isn’t enough, the seven-week meet is truly no-holds-barred with over 60,000 flowers, top-of-the-line everything, and the best looking crowds in town. It’s a 43-day party complete with "Del Martinis," wagers as small as $2, free big-name concerts, and amusement for the kids. Says DMTC public relations representative Carrie Shields: "Whatever you’ve seen at the fairgrounds and for any other event — scratch that."

The track has always held a certain appeal — its Hollywood ties date back to 1937 when founding father Bing Crosby escorted the first guest through the gates. Back then spending time "where the turf meets the surf" was a hobby, not just for serious gamblers, but also for Hollywood types and socialites. It was a way to see and be seen. These days, betting on horses requires nothing more than a satellite or Internet connection.

Harper, who has been with Del Mar for over 20 years, is keenly aware of how much off-track wagering has affected the industry. "Del Mar was always dependent on Los Angeles and Orange counties to bring people down. Now, the game has changed. With off-track wagering, people in Orange County, L.A., and even San Diego can go anywhere to bet on races in Del Mar."

Harper’s team first addressed this in 1988 by attempting to expand their off-track business. By all financial accounts, their efforts worked. Although attendance was off by about 20 percent and their handle (money bet) was off by about 30 percent, their profits went up 116 percent. But Harper missed the people. Without them, he says, you lose the pageantry of the sport.

Harper’s concerns didn’t end with off-track wagering. "Racing has always suffered from an aging fan base," he says. "We know that the backbone of our race meet is our loyal regulars who have been with us for many years. We do our best to make it good for them and give them a good show. But we also have a vested interest in trying to grow the sport by introducing young people to it."

So how do you attract young people to a game that has been called "the sport of kings" and typically reserved for older money? You give them affordable entertainment. You give them a destination. You give them a scene. And by all means, you make it sexy.

"Our advertising really goes down that route," says DMTC vice president of marketing, Craig Dado, referring to the stylish commercials that often showcase beautiful women rather than horses. Harper concedes that some people may wonder what pretty women have to do with horseracing, but his explanation is simple: "It has to do with us being a sexy place and being somewhere where you want to be."

Indeed. Last year the track saw an average of 18,000 to 22,000 people each Friday night, many of whom came specifically for the free post-race concert series known as 4 O’Clock Fridays. Originally designed to entice a younger demographic into catching the last race over a few drinks while waiting for a concert, Friday nights at the track now rival any other trendy spot in San Diego.

But rather than the homogenous dance crowds found downtown, the concerts are a mix of 20-, 30-, and 40-somethings typically reflective of the band performing. Alice In Chains, Jet, Billy Idol, and Jack Johnson are among those who have rocked the stage. This season’s lineup promises Pinback, Unwritten Law, Cake, Pete Yorn, Angels and Airwaves, and track veterans, The Violent Femmes.

Femmes bassist Brian Ritchie enjoys the fact that the concerts are cheap for the fans and take place outdoors. As for the mixed audience, he says, "I get the sensation more of the people are Femmes fans rather than horsie fans, but maybe it’s a symbiosis."

But the numbers tell Dado that people aren’t just coming for the concerts either. Since 2000, attendance at 4 O’Clock Fridays is up 38 percent and overall track attendance is up 17 percent. "It’s an interesting dynamic in that the younger crowd on Fridays, certainly to begin with, came for the concerts. But then we noticed they started coming earlier and earlier because they really did like the racing part."

And that, he notes, has had a surprising side effect on the older demographic. The Turf Club — a members-only venue that attracts the 35-50 crowd — is experiencing a new energy. According to Dado, it’s wall-to-wall every Friday with people who are not solely interested the concerts. "Surely, the music groups matter," he says, "but it’s also the scene itself. Girls come to meet guys, guys come to meet girls, and, by the way, there’s some pretty cool horse races taking place."

Of course, not everyone wants to be a part of this particular scene, which is why the track also hosts Family Fun Weekends. Every Saturday and Sunday through Labor Day these kid-friendly days encourage casual dress, lawn chairs, and coolers for picnics on the infield. Kids can enjoy carnival games, inflatables, bungee trampolines, and rock climbing while mom and dad scream, "go baby, go," from the grandstand. And for the families who like to rock, a free concert by The Cult coincides with an all-day beach party on August 4 while Ziggy Marley headlines the annual Reggae Festival on August 25.

But concerts and carnivals aside, it’s Del Mar’s first love that matters most. The horses have always been the guiding force and according to Shields, the most nostalgic day of the season outside of opening day is the $1 Million Pacific Classic, this year on August 19.

Celebrating 17 years, the classic has always been a signature event. Due primarily to a large purse — first prize being, naturally, $1 million — it’s a huge day that brings over 30,000 spectators as well as the country’s top horses and jockeys. And where previously it only attracted serious gamblers, the now red carpet-worthy affair has grown to become the track’s second largest attended day. This year, though, anticipation levels are even higher as the horses break in the brand new Polytrack running surface.

With the horses gunning for the finish line, closing day is just around the bend. But around Del Mar, this day is synonymous with "Party in the Paddock" — a lawn social that gives the public and media one more reason to dress up and a chance to hob-knob with owners, jockeys, and trainers after the final race on September 5. "We start off with a huge bang, we’re going to end with a big bang," explains Shields. The crowd will get to enjoy the top-tier awards ceremony, a free concert from Super Diamond, light appetizers, and of course, those tasty Del Martinis.

Certainly, seven weeks of partying earns the slogan "cool as ever," but Harper insists Del Mar has always been cool and claims it’s simply the best fun you’ll ever have at a track. "You’re going to have laughs and meet people and — " he chuckles, "there’s a lot of pretty people here having a good time. Who wouldn’t want to be here?" (858/755-1141, www.dmtc.com)
— Rebecca Chappell, photos courtesy of Bailey Gardiner