WINNER'S CIRCLE

"A Thoroughbred racehorse can go from 0 to 40 in a matter of three strides. It’s exhilarating the feeling of power underneath you is incredible. I love to learn what makes a Thoroughbred tick." - Chris McCarron

Big hats, big betting, and big parties! The vibe at Del Mar’s seaside oval hasn’t strayed much from the scene that Bing Crosby inspired more than 75 years ago as the Turf Clubs' original president and de facto publicist.

The famous crooner didn’t have to sell his new park too hard to his Hollywood buddies and from Opening Day on July 3, 1937 until selling his stake in the business in 1946, Crosby and his cronies established Del Mar as Hollywood’s premier summer playground.

He also upped the Del Mar Racetrack’s reputation in horse racing circles when he arranged a match between up-and-coming Seabiscuit and Ligaroti in a winner-take-all $25,000 match race in 1938.

The ditty that Crosby recorded that year about Del Mar, “Where The Turf Meets The Surf” is still played before the first and last race of every program.