Last year Hollywood Park closed and Del Mar racetrack near San Diego, California was the beneficiary of 15 additional racing days, which are being held during November, ending on November 30.
Del Mar is somewhat of a rarity, a racetrack that makes money despite not being allowed to deploy slot machines.
At the park’s 17 Hands Pub and Paddock Tavern, patrons can bet on races, drink and eat, watch NFL football and access the internet.
According to Mike Ernst, executive vice president of finance for the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, quoted by the San Diego Union Tribune, “We boosted our Internet service so fans can keep up with their Fantasy Football picks. There’s also a food and drink special (at 17 Hands), two tacos and a Tall Boy beer for $10. I love the fact they can look out the open windows to the paddock to see the horses.”
Joe Harper, president and chief operating office of the club, added, “In the end, we are adapting and adjusting, which is what you have to do with a new venture like this.”
He added, “We’ll have extra TVs for college and pro football games.” That doesn’t mean that patrons will be able to bet on the NFL games like they can in Las Vegas, but they will at least be able to watch football on TV and bet, just not on football.
Only two turf courses remain in Southern California, Del Mar and Santa Anita.
The added race days creates some complications for horsemen, who are training at Santa Anita, Los Alamitos, San Luis Rey Downs and Fairplex. According to Del Mar’s racing secretary David Jenkens, quoted by the Union-Tribune, We’re in uncharted territory here. We have an employee at Santa Anita taking entries and giving rundowns. Our text alert system gives trainers updates on what races are filling and what extras (in the condition book) we’re going to use. And then we communicate with the racing offices at the other facilities where horses are training.”
