Beautifully dressed women with big hats and dashing men wearing their best suits added to the excitement of Horse Race Track Opening Day.

On Saturday July 20, 2024 the sold-out Opening Day presented by Caesars Sportsbook, drew 22,484 ardent attendees to the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club at Del Mar Race Track, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd, Del Mar Ca, 92014

A total of $26 million in purse money is available over the 31 day season ending on Sunday, September 8, 2024 with 39 stakes races worth over $7.8 million.

Beautifully dressed women with big hats and dashing men wearing their best suits added to the excitement of the Opening Day. Over 150 contestants (including myself) competed for the prizes at the 30th Annual Opening Day Hats Contest.

Every hopeful contender took their headpiece to the next level assembling larger-than-life hats and fascinator styles displaying colorful flowers, horse models, jockey figurines, and even the all-encompassing portrayal of the Del Mar Racetrack and logos!

Hat Contest Winners

The Categories included: Most Glamorous, Best Fascinator, Best Flowers and Best Racing/ All Others Theme. Contestants sparred for more than $4,000 in total cash and prizes given away to first to third-place winners in each category.

Jockey Juan Hernandez

The Grand Prize winner was Randi Zakrzewski of San Diego, taking first place in the "Best Flowers" category with her hat theme " And away they go"

Authors hat with race horses

This impressive massive flower hat was a tribute to "My Fair Lady" in luscious palette of pink, beige and maroon. Randi was presented a one night stay and dinner for two at Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa, a $500 Studio Savvy Salon gift basket, and a $300 cash prize for a total value of $1,800.

Randi Zakrzewski was Grand Prize winner of The Hat Contest

Jockey Juan Hernandez, was a big star on Saturday, taking home three first place wins and finishing in the top three in seven out of the 11 total races. Hernandez told reporters that he loves the competition with the caliber of the other jockeys at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club. I love to work hard in the mornings and afternoons and mingle with the new guys, who are good quality!

There were many parties and after parties at The Delmar Racetrack 2024 including The Party on Opening Day presented by Pacifico, The After Pony Party at Rancho Valencia, Private Party at the Turf Club, and the exclusive and iconic After Party at L'Auberge Del Mar

I had a wonderful time betting on, and watching these magnificent horses run at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club at Del Mar Race Track