Off They Go! Del Mar Races Are Here Again

 

Seaside racing in Southern California celebrates 72nd season of sporting ponies, bets and the Del Mar scene. And it all begins July 20.

Thundering hooves, equine nostrils aspirating loudly, horse whisperers muttering incantations to invoke Pegasus while the constant din of salivating excitement for a hopeful long shot ricochets through the grandstands. The celebratory sound of fine French champagne with the haberdashery of haute couture millinery rivaling the Royal Ascot helps the art of racing in the sun remain a winning trifecta of entertainment.
Since 1937, when Crosby greeted the first attendees at the gate, Del Mar’s racetrack has lured many a celebrity, dignitaries, horsemen and families to its seaside locale to try their “hand” at handicapping thoroughbreds.

“…And awa-a-ay they go” – the signature herald of Trevor Denman, the voice of Del Mar Racing – will usher horse and rider to the gate for Del Mar’s 72nd season July 20. Del Mar plays host to six designated Breeder’s Cup Challenge races in its summer stakes schedule, earning the winners a berth in the designated BC races including entry fees and travel allowances for the horse and its connections.

According to Craig Fravel, Del Mar Thoroughbred Club (DMTC) general manager, “The ‘Win and You’re In’ races that make up the Breeders’ Cup Challenge pack some real punch. In light of those incentives, we expect our Challenge races to attract additional horses, and good ones at that. It surely should be a positive for us and our racing fans.” Fravel continued, “Del Mar’s six Challenge races are reflective of its standing among the leading tracks in the country. Checking the list of top tracks and the number of Challenge races assigned to each, it reads like this: Saratoga (5), Keeneland, Santa Anita fall meet, Del Mar (6) and Belmont fall meet (8). The Breeders Cup has spread the wealth in this regard and Del Mar has gotten its fair share.”

In regards to the future of the horse racing industry in California, Joe Harper, CEO of DMTC, offers this special insight: “For our meet this summer at Del Mar, we’ve instituted a program where we’re going to reward owners for going out and getting racehorses from other jurisdictions and bringing them to California to run.”

 

With the question of a viable industry on everyone’s mind regarding the Del Mar Fairgrounds master plan, Harper responded, “California horse racing is in a most challenging — and most interesting — time. Master plan or no master plan, Del Mar and horse racing will carry on in San Diego. You can count on it. We’ve got a special spot here with our gorgeous location on the beach and we’ve got the ideal summer racing dates.”

Most racing fans are unaware that west coast racing is an island by itself from the east coast. “The racing states in the east are bunched together and there is a lot more interaction among them and their horses. It’s a long way out to California for most folks, so anything we do is usually self-contained,” notes Harper. “We’re going to give direct economic rewards to California owners, or owners from out of state, who bring their horses here to our track to take part in our seven-week meeting. We’ve got a whole industry that looks forward to escaping the grind and the smog in Los Angeles and heading south to let their collective hair down. Del Mar stands on its own. It’s a good thing and we work hard every year to make our good thing better.”

The 2011 U.S. Challenge races will be televised on ESPN, TVG and HRTV and on TSN in Canada.

Fresh Salmon Burgers

May starts the summer salmon season when all varieties of Alaskan salmon—king, sockeye, pink, coho, and pink are available. Frozen-at-sea salmon is delicious and available year-round.

• YIELD: Makes 4 to 6 servings
• COURSE: Sandwiches

Ingredients

• 1 slice white bread
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 1/2 pounds salmon fillet
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons fresh dill or thyme, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
•  Buns of your choice (recommend whole wheat)
• Sour Cream-Dill Sauce (see below)

Preparation

• Soak bread in milk until soft.
• Coarsely chop salmon, and place in a food processor. Pulse several times until roughly chopped. Add bread and milk, salt, and next 3 ingredients. Pulse several times until well blended.
• Form salmon mixture into 4 to 6 patties, and place on a lightly oiled plate. Cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until ready to cook.
• Grill burgers over medium-hot coals (or on a grill pan over medium-high heat) 3 to 5 minutes or until done. Serve on Lemon-scented Challah Buns with Sour Cream-Dill Sauce.

Sour Cream-Dill Sauce

• YIELD: Makes about 1 cup
• COURSE: Sauces/Condiments

Ingredients

• 1 cup sour cream
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 to 2 tablespoons dill, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon grated lemon rind
• 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons sugar

Preparation

• Combine all ingredients. Cover and chill until ready to serve.

 

DEL MAR FAIR: Cars, cars, cars !

 DEL MAR —- The 2011 San Diego CountyFair   kicked off Friday under cloudy skies, but attendees said it felt like the first day of summer.

“We come every year,” Marylou and Jose Gonzalez of San Marcos said in unison, as they passed through the entrance at the Del Mar Fairgrounds with their 2-year-old daughter, Jaslene.

“Walking into the fair always makes us feel like summer is really here,” added Marylou.

This year’s “Race to the Fair” theme seemed to be a winner with people who strolled through the theme exhibit just west of the main entrance.

“Cars are pretty interesting for most people —- kids, older people, car buffs —- people who aren’t car buffs, like me,” laughed Christine Romanchak of San Marcos.

She said she enjoys the changing themes at the fair, and always looks forward to “what they’ll come up with next.”

The theme this year will consist of four different weekly “mini-themed” exhibits: Exotic and Luxury Cars, with a replica of the Ectomobile from the movie “Ghostbusters”;” Muscle Cars and Tuners, with The General Lee Dodge Charger from the TV show “The Dukes of Hazzard;” Lowriders, with Gypsy Lee from the TV show “Chico and the Man”; and finally Southern California Car Culture, with woodies, convertibles, hot rods, and Herbie the Love Bug from the movie of the same name.

This week’s exhibit also features Tango, an 800-horsepower tiny “smart” car that is almost impossible to flip over, a 1911 Hudson and a number of rarely seen luxury sports cars.

Among the attractions staying for the entire duration will be two interactive favorites: the free, drag-racing Christmas Tree, where two contestants face off to see who can “get off the line faster,” and a NASCAR simulator.

The Pepsi No. 24 frame of the simulator was raced on the NASCAR circuit in 2002 by Matt Kenseth. Owner Steven Katz of Katz Racing Promotions said the experience is so authentic that NASCAR drivers use the simulator to test different setups before making modifications to their real cars.

For $2, wannabes can get behind the wheel and race between four and 10 laps —- depending on the wait times.

“Wow, that is a fantastic way to spend two bucks,” said Ted Matzen of Cardiff after exiting the car. 

Having recently taken an interest in the sport, he said, he was surprised at how physically exerting it was.

“I really broke a sweat,” said Matzen. 

And while Southern Californians may love their cars, they also love their music and food. As always, a number of new deep-fried delicacies are being introduced this year —- they’ll be covered in detail in Monday’s North County Times.

Musical highlights for 2011 include Randy Travis, the Doobie Brothers, Willie Nelson, Grand Funk Railroad, Melissa Etheridge, and Bid Time Rush, and REO Speedwagon.

Admission for the 2011 San Diego County Fair is $13 for adults, $7 for those 62 and older and children ages 6-12. Kids under 6 are admitted free. 

Hours are 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to midnight on Saturdays, Sundays, and on Monday, July 4 (admission gates close one hour before the fairgrounds). The fair is closed Mondays, except for July 4.

For a complete listing of entertainment, exhibits, contests, and other highlights, as well as special price days, visit www.sdfair.com.