Del Mar Optimistic Fans Will Be Permitted for Racing

With improving trends in public health data, growth in vaccination rates, and the gradual relaxation of limits on attendance at sporting and performance venues in the state, Del Mar officials announced March 16 they are planning for a return of fans to the seaside track for its summer season beginning July 16. Last year with the onset of COVID-19, the track raced without paid spectators.

"We will continue to follow the guidance of local health officials and our medical advisers, but based on what has been announced for other local attractions such as the San Diego Padres and SeaWorld, we are optimistic we will have fans in the stands this summer at some level," said Del Mar president and COO Josh Rubinstein. "We have the advantages of a 350-acre site and a facility that can host people quite comfortably with appropriate social distancing as needed."

Del Mar did not announce specifics of its attendance plan, such as permitted crowd size.

Earlier this month, California officials announced that major outdoor attractions across the state could reopen as early as April 1 subject to counties' rates of COVID-19 spread and with capacity-control mandates and mask wearing.

The track will race Fridays through Sundays for the first two weeks of its meet before adding Thursdays. The season ends with a special holiday of racing on Labor Day, Sept. 6.