Where the turf meets the surf: Del Mar's Hollywood history and what makes the Breeders' Cup track unique

What is the history of Del Mar?

Del Mar offers many reminders of the golden age of Hollywood, when the seaside resort was the go-to destination for A-listers. The connection began in 1937, when Bing Crosby, alongside other big names from the world of entertainment, founded the racecourse. The legendary singer and actor even manned the turnstiles at its first fixture.

The track hit the ground running, thanks in no small part to Seabiscuit, owned by one of the members of the consortium behind Del Mar, Charles Howard. The 1938 Horse of the Year was brought to California for a $25,000 match race against Crosby and Lindsay Howard's Ligaroti and the duel, narrowly won by Seabiscuit, made front-page news.

Del Mar underwent major renovations in the 1990s, when it also introduced the valuable Grade 1 Pacific Classic, a qualifier for the Breeders' Cup Classic, but has never lost its links to Hollywood. Crosby sold his share in the track in 1946 but there is still a Grade 1 named after him, while the song he penned about Del Mar, Where the turf meets the surf, is played at every meeting.

What makes Del Mar special?

The picturesque Del Mar was co-founded by star of Hollywood's Golden Age Bing CrosbyCredit: Edward Whitaker

Del Mar is Spanish for 'from the sea' and the track's marketing team has taken full advantage of its beautiful seaside setting. It is variously branded the 'surfside race place', 'where the turf meets the surf' and 'a place where nobody's in a hurry but the horses', one of those brilliant lines every writer wished they had come up with themselves.

Unlike British or Irish seaside towns, Del Mar, situated about 100 miles from Los Angeles on the south coast of California, is blessed with almost wall-to-wall sunshine. It has a relaxed atmosphere mirrored at the track, with Spanish Mission-style architecture, vintage celebrity photographs and a tan-stucco grandstand right next to the Pacific Ocean.

What makes the track itself unique?

As John Gosden explained recently: "The draw is very important at Del Mar – if you start getting high draws, and double numbers, things start getting quite complicated."

That is because even by the standards of the other major US tracks, the turf course is particularly tight with a short finish. It has a sharp left-handed turn, which one typically expects from US racing, and it is favourable to be drawn low. The ground is almost guaranteed to be quick and it is important to break quickly to get a clear run to the bend.

The turf track runs on the inside of the dirt course at Del MarCredit: Edward Whitaker

Track position is of even more importance on the sweeping dirt track, on which City Of Troy will attempt to provide Aidan O'Brien with an elusive victory in the Breeders' Cup Classic. The course is also left-handed, positioned on the outside of the turf track, and it can pay to race prominently to avoid kickback and having to make up ground late on. You've only got to watch Gun Runner and Knicks Go win the Classic at Del Mar in recent years to see the bias.

Read more:

Ed Chamberlin: 'City Of Troy's Breeders' Cup Classic bid has the potential to cut through to that big sports audience' 

John Gosden: 'If City Of Troy gets a clear run I doubt they'd catch him - I think he'd outclass them' 

'It has gone better than I thought it would' – Frankie Dettori opens up about his new life in the States

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