Del Mar will begin summer meet on a Saturday in 2024

Del Mar will open its 2024 summer meeting on a Saturday for the first time, the track announced earlier this week.

Del Mar has started its summer meeting on Fridays since 2020.

The eight-week meeting will run from July 20 to Sept. 8. The track cited a late conclusion of the San Diego county fair on July 7, 2024 as the reason. The county fair has customarily ended on July 4.

The county fair is held on the same property as the racetrack. Racing officials need time to prepare the racing surface, and the rest of the property, including the stable area, after the fair concludes.

The track’s five-week 2024 fall meeting will run from Thursday, Oct. 31 through Sunday, Dec. 1 and will include the Breeders’ Cup races on Nov. 1-2.

The track’s current fall meeting concludes on Sunday.

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