There’s a smile on every face
and a winner in each race
where the turf meets the surf
at old Del Mar

Johnny Burke/Bing Crosby/James V. Monaco)

“And there’s the roar from the Del Mar crowd as the 2008 Del Mar meet is underway.” with track announcer Trevor Denman’s trademark call began one of the red letter days in the thoroughbred racing year, opening day at Del Mar . This sea side racetrack opened in the resort town of Del Mar, 20 miles North of San Diego in 1937 and continues to provide a backdrop for fine horses, eye catching headwear and celebrities. On the very first day of racing, Del Mar, known by it’s slogan “Where the turf meets the surf”, tickets were collected by Bing Crosby, one of the facility’s founding partners.

Today, Delmar hosts 43 days of top thoroughbred racing and an intriguing event called “The One and Only Truly Fabulous Hat Contest” in which entrants are judged on creativity and style of their hats. This July 14, Del Mar’s 69th opening day was attended by over 40, 000 race fans sporting hats that ran the gamut from the ridiculous to the sublime. The hat contest entrants competed for prizes in the following categories.

• Best racing theme
• funniest or most outrageous
• Most glamorous
• Best flowers.

The prizes range from two free race passes (awarded to every contestant) to a large format television and cash prizes.

Polly Singer Couture Hats and Veils is pleased to have been represented at Del Mar. We’ve just received the following delightful feedback from a customer and racing fan. Maureen wrote,
“We had a great time at Opening Day and my hat was a big hit! ”
Below Maureen and her daughter Amber are captured trackside; Maureen perfectly accessorized by Cate’s Fuschia Mist, her daughter Amber well turned out in a legacy hat from her late grandmother.

Call it living vicariously, if you will, but we’re thrilled to receive photos and impressions of events that Polly’s hats attend. Below is another photo from Del Mar’s opening day sent to us by Karen whose variation of Holly Go Lightly at Churchill provided both shade and chic.

Another of Polly’s contributions to the Del Mar fashion scene was a hat designed for TVG reporter Christina Olivares. Christina has a lifetime history with Del Mar where, as a young girl, she ponied and walked “hots” (horses who have just worked and must be hand walked to safely cool down) for her father jockey and trainer Frank Olivares. This year Christine made a complete departure from the large brimmed Go For the Green design that she wore in 2007 in favor of a fascinator, the head piece so in evidence this year at Royal Ascot.

After receiving a photograph of Ms. Olivares’ dress, Polly designed a small yet elaborate head piece in shades of taupe, peacock green and marine blue. The piece was visually anchored by a large taupe silk rose and ornamented with peacock feathers, custom dyed stripped coque and a wisp of natural colored veiling. True to the designer’s chief objective, that of showcasing the woman, not what she’s wearing, Polly delivered a charming head piece that complemented Ms. Olivares petite features as well as the multi colored print silk dress she had chosen to wear on air.

The Del Mar racing season runs from July 16 through Sept . 3 featuring events which include the ever tempting Donut Day (free donuts and coffee while watching morning workouts) and Pacific Classic Day, the highlight of the season, a grade 1 stakes race in which the nations top horses compete for a million dollar purse.

There are a dozen more race days left in the Del Mar season, for more information on visit delmarracing.com.

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