Breeders’ Cup 2024 host Del Mar sets summer, fall meet dates

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

The slightly later-than-usual start to the season was keyed by the fact that the San Diego County Fair will conduct its 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, Sept. 8.

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 fall meet will be on Thursday, Oct. 31. Then that Friday and Saturday, Nov. 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, Dec. 1.

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