Del Mar fall meet to have Old Hollywood feel

The seaside track picked up a majority of the racing dates from the fall

meeting at the now-closed Hollywood Park and in the process transferred over

many of that track's major stakes events. The Hollywood session had an emphasis

on turf racing and Del Mar is carrying that forward with nine turf stakes on its

agenda, including its two top offerings -- the $300,000 Hollywood Derby and the

$300,000 Matriarch, both Grade 1 events that will be run on closing weekend,

which is part of the long Thanksgiving holiday.

Additionally, Del Mar will employ its grass course to present the $250,000

Hollywood Turf Cup on a special early Thanksgiving Day program and the $250,000

Seabiscuit Handicap the following afternoon. Both those races are Grade 2

events.

The track's additional graded races are the $200,000 Native Diver on November

29; the $150,000 Jimmy Durante (formerly the Miesque) on November 29; the

$150,000 Cecil B. DeMille (formerly the Generous) on November 30; the $100,000

Red Carpet Handicap (formerly the Beverly Hills Handicap) on November 22; and

the $100,000 Bob Hope on November 15. All are Grade 3 presentations.

Two of the black-type affairs will be for California-bred runners, the

$100,000 Betty Grable on November 15 at seven furlongs for fillies and mares,

and the $100,000 Cary Grant (formerly the On Trust) on November 30 at seven

furlongs for three-year-olds and up.

Del Mar will open its fall session with an overnight stakes for fillies and

mares at a mile on the turf, the $75,000 the

Kathryn Crosby, named in honor of the late entertainer's widow. Among the

leading contenders are Grade 2 veteran Wishing Gate, Grade 3 winner Kitten's

Point, Unzip Me runner-up Gender Agenda, and Del Mar allowance winners Queen of

the Sand and Bee Brave.

"Free & Easy Fridays" will be featured throughout the stand with the

exception of Opening Day. Fans with a Diamond Club card on those afternoons

receive free admission, a free program and a free seat, as well as half-price

beers, soft drinks and hot dogs. Diamond Club sign-ups are fee for newcomers and

take just a few minutes. The cards also provide a 50 percent discount on

admissions for all days at the meeting.

Thursdays will be free admission days for all seniors (aged 62 and up) and

that includes the special race card on November 27, which is Thanksgiving Day.

First post that morning will be 11 a.m. and the eight-race program should be

concluded by approximately 2:45, allowing plenty of time for folks to head out

for their turkey dinners.

Admission to the track through all gates for the Bing Crosby Season will be

$6 (or just $3 with a Diamond Club card). The usual separation between the

Clubhouse and Stretch Run areas will be waived throughout the meet.