The horse racing calendar in North America is now in full midsummer swing, with Saratoga opening last week and the other premier meet of the season, Del Mar, set to launch on Friday, July 21.
For horse racing fans, the true indicator of summer is when Del Mar Thoroughbred Club opens its doors for its famed meet. The iconic San Diego-area track is an incredible place to visit whether you’re a lifelong fan of racing or if this will be your first trip to the track.
If you fall into the latter category — or if you’re planning your first trip to Del Mar this summer — scroll down for everything you need to know about this year’s summer season.
One of the most anticipated weekends in the annual horse racing schedule is upon us, as Saratoga Race Course in upstate New York begins its meet Thursday, July 13. The 40-day meet stands alone in the minds of many fans and horseplayers, providing high-quality racing in a historic setting that generates an incredible amount of enthusiasm from mid-July to Labor Day weekend.
The upcoming weekend in horse racing is highlighted by the final cards of Belmont Park’s successful spring-summer meet, which wraps up Sunday, July 9. Racing in New York will then move upstate starting on July 13 for nearly two months of action at historic Saratoga Race Course, in many people’s opinion the best race meet in North America.
An extended holiday weekend running from Saturday, July 1, through Independence Day on Tuesday is right around the corner, and racing action is highlighted by the first domestic “Win and You’re In” Challenge Series race for the Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic.