Del Mar will open its 2024 summer meeting – the 85th at the iconic seaside oval – on Saturday, July 20.

The slightly-later-than-usual start to the season was keyed by the fact that the San Diego Country Fair will conduct its popular gathering a bit past its usual finale on July 4, going forward instead to Sunday, July 7.

Del Mar will need the extra time from July 8 onward to prepare its racing surfaces and stable area for the start of the meet and to ensure its safety protocols are all in place.

The summer meet will provide eight weeks of racing and conclude on Sunday, September 8.

Further, Del Mar also has finalized its fall racing dates which will be highlighted by the 41st edition of the Breeders’ Cup, the third time the championship event has come to the shore.

Opening Day of the 11th Bing Crosby Season will be on Thursday, October 31. Then that Friday and Saturday – November 1 and 2 – will showcase the 14 Breeders’ Cup races with $31 million in purses and awards.

In total the fall meet will operate for five weeks and conclude on Sunday, December 1.

Del Mar’s allocation of the 2024 Southern California racing calendar was approved this past August by the California Horse Racing Board.