Couldn’t make it to the Kentucky Derby this year? No problem. This Thursday, July 21, the Del Mar Race Track will open the season with two new cocktails - and plenty of food.
The old Hollywood allure has transcended over the past 70 years, from Lucille Ball and Bing Crosby to Gwen Stefani and Uma Thurman. Today you can mingle with celebrities in the Winner’s Circle, and 40,000 other fans while sporting your best hat, but don’t over look the new food and drink options at one of the west coast’s biggest parties of the year.
Their famous signature cocktail is the Del Margarita, or Del Martini but they are also adding two new signature cocktails this year. Citrus Press is made with Ketel One, Sprite and a splash of Orange Juice or the Sweat Tea with Jeremiah Weed Sweet Tea, Lemonade and Club Soda.
You can order carved sandwiches, burgers, pizza, fried chicken and grilled sausages, but you might want to make a reservation this year at one of the trackside eateries for more formal dining and to escape the frey. Options include Clubhouse Terrace Restaurant for a Mediterranean platter or carne asada torta; Café del Sol for shrimp cocktails and cobb salads; Veranda Café for Baja Cesar or Greek salads; Stretch Run Grill for a cheese plate or chicken ciabatta; and Red Star Café at O’Brien’s Pub for beer battered fish tacos and corned beef on rye.
The $1 Million Pacific Classic is also celebrated this year with a Craft Microbrew Festival and Local Music Showcase in the Infield on Saturday, August 28.
For morning fans, have Breakfast at the Clubhouse Terrace Restaurant for less than $10 as the horses gallop by. Donuts Days takes place from 8am to 10am on July 24 and August 21 offering a behind-the-scenes look into racing led by track announcer Trevor Denman and special guest jockeys and trainers with free donuts, coffee and juice.
Racing at Del Mar takes place every Wednesday through Sunday, with post time for the first race at 2 p.m. Friday post times are 4 p.m. for the first four Fridays of the season, and 3:30 p.m. for the last 3 Fridays. For more information click here.
