“Daybreak at Del Mar,” the popular trackside morning breakfast program that mixes tasty fare with galloping horses, will be a ‘Saturday only’ thing over the course of the new “Bing Crosby Season” upcoming at the seaside track.
Regular “Daybreakers” are used to the morning sessions being conducted on both Saturdays and Sundays throughout the Del Mar summer sessions, but the shorter fall season with its later sunrises, slightly chillier weather and its pro football Sundays called for a breakfast audible. Thus the Saturday-only schedule with a further adjustment of hours from 8 to 10 a.m. (instead of the usual 7:30 to 9:30 a.m.).
Breakfast goers will be welcome at the track’s Clubhouse Terrace Restaurant overlooking the track for an up-close view of Thoroughbreds going through their morning paces as they ready for races ahead. They’ll also have access to a delicious and healthy menu available from their servers.
Among the items on the “Daybreak” bill of fare will be fresh-squeezed juice, hot and cold coffees and teas, yogurts, granola bars, fruit cups, fresh local baked goods, cereals and an assortment of hot breakfast sandwiches, made to order. Additionally, there will be a bar serving the Del Mar signature Del Mary, as well as Café Del Cool. A split of champagne also will be available to compliment the fresh-squeezed orange juice.
Jeff Bloom, a former rider who now is a racehorse owner and stable manager, once again will serve as emcee for the mornings. For the better part of a decade, Bloom has provided the “Daybreak” crowd with informational tips on the horses out on the track, answered questions about the sport and provided suggestions on how to enjoy a day at the races.
“Daybreak” attendees are encouraged to park in the track’s main lot off Jimmy Durante Blvd. and go through the Clubhouse entrance to the restaurant on the second floor. There is no charge for attending the sessions, but there is a $10 parking fee upon arrival. However, anyone spending $25 or more on breakfast items will have the cost of the parking fee subtracted from their bill.
Del Mar’s new fall racing season has been dubbed the “Bing Crosby Season” as a tip of the cap to the track’s iconic founder. It will be presented for 15 racing days between this Friday (November 7) and Sunday, November 30. After a Friday-Saturday-Sunday opening week, racing for the balance of the session will be conducted from Thursday through Sunday. First post on weekdays will be a 12:30 p.m., while weekend racing will start at 12 noon.
11/4/14 ###