The gates have already flown open, and Del Mar’s 2025 season is off and running. Opening Day on July 18 set the tone with packed stands, fast turf, and the Caesars Sportsbook Oceanside Stakes as the first major marker. But the real story is what comes next.
The calendar ahead is loaded with graded stakes, championship qualifiers, and tactical race days that can make or break a meet. Here’s the full run-down so you can track every key play from here on out.
Summer Racing Window
The 2025 Summer Meet is already in full swing, running from July 18 to September 7. It covers eight straight weeks of live racing, with Opening Day on July 18 delivering packed stands and competitive fields.
Gates typically open two hours before first post, and most race days start at 2 PM. Racing runs most Thursdays through Sundays, and Labor Day Monday, September 1, also brings a full card.
Because the schedule is tight, the tape builds fast. Form lines harden, weight assignments and pace dynamics turn into actionable tells. That is the point where you shift from broad scouting to targeted selections.
Focus on the weekends that stack feature races. Build your plan around the Pacific Classic, the Del Mar Debutante, and the Bing Crosby, and for three-year-old fillies, look to Del Mar Oaks picks. Using well-supported calls around those dates keeps you ready when the deepest fields head to the gate.
Key Stakes, Purses, and Highlights
The Del Mar summer meet is stacked with races that shape the season. These high-caliber stakes influence morning lines, shift betting strategies, and attract some of the best runners in the country. With the meet already underway, the calendar ahead is loaded with moments that will test both horses and handicappers.
July 18 (Opening Day) – The Caesars Sportsbook Oceanside Stakes ($100K) signaled the first major pace shift of the season, giving fans and bettors an early read on the form to watch.
July 26 – Bing Crosby Stakes (Grade I, $400K) and San Diego Handicap (Grade II, $300K) showcased elite sprinters and milers, providing a strong early-season test for top barns.
August 2 – Clement L. Hirsch Stakes (Grade I, $400K) anchored the weekend’s action, drawing proven stars and emerging contenders to the spotlight.
August 30 (Pacific Classic Day) – This is the crown jewel of the summer meet, packed with graded stakes and headline talent:
- Pacific Classic (Grade I, $1M) – Winner earns a berth to the 2025 Breeders’ Cup.
- Del Mar Handicap (Grade II, $300K) – A key turf test over distance.
- Del Mar Mile (Grade II, $300K) – One of the premier turf miles on the West Coast.
- Green Flash Handicap (Grade III, $150K) – A lightning-fast turf sprint.
- Torrey Pines Stakes (Grade III, $150K) – An essential spot for developing fillies.
September 1 (Labor Day Monday) – Generous Portion Stakes and Tranquility Lake Stakes bring betting opportunities with strong local interest and competitive fields.
September 6 – Del Mar Debutante (Grade I, $300K), John C. Mabee Stakes (Grade II, $250K), and Juvenile Fillies Turf ($100K) close out the stakes-rich penultimate weekend.
September 8 (Closing Day) – The Del Mar Futurity (Grade I, $300K) and Juvenile Turf (Grade III, $100K) bring the summer meet to a high-stakes finish, often showcasing future stars.
Fall “Bing” Meet Preview
That’s not all. The fall meet, known as the “Bing” meet, runs from October 30 to November 30. It opens Thursday, October 30, and runs through Sunday, November 30, with heightened stakes for multi-day players.
The Breeders’ Cup World Championships take place in that same window, with October 31 and November 1 on the calendar as key days for high-impact betting. If you play form to the championship, that weekend is a premium target for ultimate ROI.
Weekly Rhythm and Strategic Play
Racing pulses on a rhythm. Most race days are Thursday–Sunday plus Labor Day Monday, with consistent 2 PM first posts (Fridays shift a bit later, starting around 3 or 4 PM).
Savory Sundays, free-and-easy Thursdays, and wine or taco festivals are not filler. Those themed days attract crowds, shift pace, and tilt takeout pools. That’s the kind of nuance worth watching. It affects how quick speed gets rewarded, how trainers spot races on days of high leisure attendance.
Ticketing and Access
Tickets for the 2025 season went on sale at 10 AM on Friday, May 16. That early release allowed fans to secure seats for Opening Day and other high-demand races before prices shifted.
General daily admission is around $10, while Opening Day pricing started at about $73. Kids and active military members receive free or heavily discounted entry. When you know the ticket costs, you can focus on budget-friendly weekday action or reserve your spot for the marquee racing events.
Down the Stretch
The best of Del Mar 2025 is still in front of us. Form will sharpen, conditions will change, and new names will break through before the final gate closes. Staying alert to those shifts can turn the back half of this season into your most profitable stretch.