Seating capacity at the Del Mar Racetrack for racing season is 14,856, but Friday’s sell-out opening day saw the thoroughbreds compete with headwear for attention.
With more than $4,000 in prizes in four categories in the 29th annual Opening Day Hats Contest, contestants had a better shot than nailing a trifecta.
More than 150 people entered, said the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club.
Leslie K. Monroy of Spring Valley. Photo by Chris Stone 
Maria Luisa Broderick of Prescott Valley. Photo by Chris Stone 
Arann Mousavi of Iran. Photo by Chris Stone 
Arann Mousavi of Iran. Photo by Chris Stone 
Donna DiNobile of Providence, RI. Photo by Chris Stone 
Dea Wilson of Loomis. Photo by Chris Stone 
Patti Andrzejak of San Diego. Photo by Chris Stone 
Crellyn Collister of Encinitas. Photo by Chris Stone 
Shevon Brean of Oceanside. Photo by Chris Stone 
Bianca Lonardo of Tampa, Florida. Photo by Chris Stone 
April Arisian of Laguna Beach. Photo by Chris Stone 
Ann Phillips-Nadal of Carlsbad. Photo by Chris Stone 
Amy Brooker of Vista. Photo by Chris Stone 
Alesha Corine from Beaumont. Photo by Chris Stone 
Amparo Brean of Encinitas. Photo by Chris Stone
Leslie Monroy of Spring Valley won the grand prize. Entered in the “Best Flowers” category, her Barbie-pink head-to-toe look hat boasted over 500 pink rose petals, 70 gold horses and what the organizers called a “fabulous long train of orchids.”
Monroy won a one-night stay and meal for two at Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa, a $500 Studio Savvy Salon gift basket and a $300 cash prize. Total value: $1,800.
First place in the “Most Glamorous” category went to Dea Wilson of Loomis, with matching sea-foam green and cotton candy pink plumed hat. Her floppy brimmed hat with plumes of white, pink, and foam-green feathers with “golden butterflies stilettos.”
“Best Fascinator” hat was worn by Allison Karlstrand of Dana Point.
“Her stunning bright pink and purple ‘hatinator’ [was] a gorgeous fascinator larger than life,” judges said. “The sculptural artistry and dimensional creativity combined with the Barbie-perfect white high-top sneakers.
Local milliner Chris Banner of Valley Center won for “Best Racing Theme / All Others” with the motto “Bee kind to the porcupine.”
His hat “created a porcupine ‘mohawk/mullet’ look with knee-high leather buckle punk rock boots, black kilt, with a matching cane bedazzled with pool balls, etc.”
Now the horses take center stage at 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd.
After this three-day weekend, the steeds race five four-day weeks (Thursday through Sunday), a five-day week (including Labor Day Monday, Sept. 4), and finish with a Friday-through-Sunday weekend (Sept. 8-10). First post is 2 p.m. daily and 4 p.m. Fridays.
Both Amtrak and Coaster trains stop at the nearby Solana Beach station. Del Mar provides free shuttle service to and from the track on race days. The Pony Express Package including roundtrip fare on Coaster, Sprinter or Breeze, shuttle to the track and racetrack admission.
Epic Limo Bus also provides limousine bus and charter buses to Del Mar Racetrack. The rideshare dropoff and pickup lot is on Jimmy Durante Boulevard.
Topping the bill is the $1 million Pacific Classic on Saturday, Sept. 2. The 33rd Pacific Classic is one of six Grade I stakes during the eight-week meeting. Some 39 stakes races are worth a total of $8.275 million.
For early risers: Daybreak at Del Mar is Saturday and Sunday, where guests enjoy breakfast while watching morning workouts.
Among the special events:
- Beer Festival on Saturday, July 22, boasting over 50 different brews.
- Jockey Karaoke on Sunday, July 23, where Del Mar jockeys compete in karaoke to benefit the Permanently Disabled Jockey Fund.
