Bing Crosby 2024 Season at the Del Mar Racetrack

The Bing Crosby 2024 fall season at the Del Mar Racetrack promises attendees a packed schedule of thrilling, competitive races & interactive events for all ages.

Key Takeaways

Jess Tucker
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Bing Crosby 2024 Season at the Del Mar Racetrack
Fall Seasonal Traditions
Opening Week
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Racing into the Season: Del Mar's Bing Crosby Fall Events and Highlights

Entrance into Del Mar from the South on Camino Del MarBattered Potatoes at the San Diego County Fair

It’s five more weeks of racing at the Del Mar Racetrack with the beginning of the Bing Crosby 2024 season this autumn. While races have been going strong in Southern California since July, the latter half of the year brings new events, special races, and tons of adrenaline-fueled fun.

The fall season at the racetrack kicks off on October 31st, 2024, and runs until December 1st. After that, the track will close again until the start of next year’s summer season.

Cyclone Fair Ride at the San Diego County Fair
Cyclone Fair Ride at the San Diego County Fair

A Seasonal Tradition Returns

The Del Mar Race Track Thoroughbred Club is among the best-known names in horse racing. It attracts hundreds of competitors and thousands of attendees to its location at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, which is also the site of the San Diego County Fair.

Many come to try their luck, placing their bets and hoping for a piece of the winning prize pool.

Even if you, like me, aren’t much for betting, it’s still lots of fun to watch the races and root for your favorite horses and jockeys. Plus, the Bing Crosby season includes community-centric events that are great for families in Del Mar, starting on opening week and continuing through the rest of the year.

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Experience Fall Racing Magic
Bing Crosby Season at Del Mar Racetrack offers autumn horse racing with a relaxed vibe—enjoy thrilling races without the summer crowds!

Opening Week Highlights

The racing season officially kicked off this summer, which is when the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club held its major Opening Day celebration with its annual hat contest and special festivities.

However, there are still some fun events as the fall season begins, too!

Entrance to the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club
Entrance to the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club

Kickoff on October 31st

2024’s Bing Crosby Season begins with a bang on October 31st, the first day of the fall season. Join the party on Thursday, Oct. 31st and experience the excitement of Opening Day.

In addition to a full slate of races, including the Let It Ride Stakes, Opening Day also features the Horse Racing Women's Summit. Plus, it’s the final day to attend Breakfast at Breeders' Cup in the lead-up to one of the biggest events of the season.

Gates open at 11:00 am, with the first post at 12:30 pm.

Opening Day is also a Diamond Club Day, which means members of the Del Mar track’s Diamond Club can attend for free.

Breeders' Cup World Championships

Right at the top of November is the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, which run from November 1st to 2nd. This is the third time the cup will be held at this track, with 14 championship races spread across the two days.

This is one of the largest and most well-known horse racing events in the country, which I’d consider second only to the Kentucky Derby. The Breeders' Cup Betting Challenge is also massively popular. It has a $10,000 buy-in and a total payout of $1,250,000 spread over 20 winners, with first place receiving $360,000.

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Weekly Events and Special Activities

Just like the summer season’s Family Fun Day, there are plenty of special events planned for the fall season at the track, including major races and community events.

The Grandstands at the Del Mar Horse Races
The Grandstands at the Del Mar Horse Races

Noteworthy Races and Stakes

After the festivities of Opening Day, each Saturday and Sunday in November will have at least one major race.

Many of these are held early to coincide with the Breeders’ Cup. On November 1st, the track will also host the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Stakes, Senator Ken Maddy Stakes, Golden State Juvenile Stakes, and Golden State Juvenile Fillies Stakes.

November 2nd brings the Goldikova Stakes and Bayakoa Stakes to center stage as well.

Here’s the lineup for the rest of the month:

  • Nov. 9th: Cary Grant Stakes
  • Nov. 10th: Betty Grable Stakes
  • Nov. 16th: Desi Arnaz Stakes
  • Nov. 17th: Bob Hope Stakes (Grade III)
  • Nov. 23rd: Native Diver Stakes (Gr. III)
  • Nov. 24th: Red Carpet Stakes (Gr. III)
  • Nov. 29th: Hollywood Turf Cup (Gr. II)

November 30th is another packed day, with nine races and three stakes:

  • Hollywood Derby (Gr. I)
  • Seabiscuit Handicap (Gr. II)
  • Jimmy Durante Stakes (Gr. III)

Great Wine at the Uncorked San Diego Wine Festival
Great Wine at the Uncorked San Diego Wine Festival

Community and Entertainment Events

From festivals to charity drives, there’s something going on every weekend of the fall season at the racetrack.

Wine and Beer

The Uncorked Wine Festival is on Nov. 9th from 1:00pm until 4:00pm. This 21-and-up event offers tastings from over 100 different wines, plus live music and food trucks.

If beer is more your thing, attend the Beer & Cider Fest on Nov. 23rd from 12:00 pm until 4:00pm. During the event you can sample 50 brews, ciders, and seltzers, all made by local breweries, while enjoying DJ music.

College Day

College students who are Diamond Club members can get a complimentary first $2 bet and tipsheet during College Day, held on Nov. 16th. Plus, they can get free admission with a valid college I.D. with Grand Stand Seating.

Charity Events

There are two charity drives during the Bing Crosby 2024 season.

The first is the San Diego Food Bank drive on Nov. 17th, which offers free admission to the races for anyone donating nonperishable food items.

A Toys for Tots drive will also be held on Nov. 24th. You can get free admission with an unopened toy or a monetary donation.

Ongoing Events

Alongside its larger celebrations, the racetrack also holds recurring events like Wine Down Fridays. Select bottles of wine are half-off. Another good thing to know is that Fridays offer free admission for seniors through Seniors' Day.

Every Sunday is Free and Fun day with special admission and concession savings for all Diamond Club members.

There are also Weekend Handicapping Seminars held most Saturdays and Sundays that offer betting advice and an analysis of the races happening that day.

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The Closing Week and Farewell to 2024

Track at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club
Track at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club

December 1st marks the end of the fall season and the closure of the Del Mar Racetrack until next year’s summer reopening. To help bid the races goodbye, join the Closing Day festivities.

Final Races and Farewell Events

Say goodbye with a bang when you attend Closing Day, with nine races scheduled. Gates open at 11:00am with the first post set for 12:30pm.

Closing Day is a major day for betting, as the track offers mandatory payouts for all wagers rather than their usual jackpot-style wager.

Give yourself a leg up with the Handicapping Seminar, with special insights from the Best Bet segment by analyst Frank Scatoni.

The weekly Taste of the Turf Club runs as well, with brunch offerings and bottomless mimosas accompanying stunning Del Mar Turf Club seating.

The Last Stakes

Closing Day has three major stakes, ensuring a thrilling end to the season. These are:

  • Matriarch Stakes (Gr. I)
  • Cecil B. Demille Stakes (Gr. III)
  • Stormy Liberal Stakes

Grand Stands at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club
Grand Stands at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club

Reflecting on the Season

With exciting races and tons of special events, fans of horse racing are sure to enjoy what the fall has in store.

In the meantime, betting enthusiasts can get free handicapping data on the final day, which will help them hone their skills for the summer meet. This doubles as the racetrack’s look back at the season while they prepare for future races and events.

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