Del Mar is one of the most iconic venues in American horse racing, and its wagering ecosystem is just as strong as its on-track action. Even if youâre nowhere near San Diego, you can still enjoy Del Mar betting from home thanks to a wide network of trusted Del Mar off-track betting sites. These platforms give you full access to Del Mar horse racing, including the marquee Pacific Classic, was won in 2025 by John R. Velazquez’ Fierceless. The next edition is scheduled to take place on August 30, 2026.
In this guide, weâll break down everything you need to know about Del Mar off-track betting sites â what the best options are, how horse racing works at Del Mar, and which betting markets and bonuses you can expect when wagering online.
Del Marâs story begins in 1936, when the idea for the track was pitched to Bing Crosby â a devoted horse racing fan who helped turn the concept into reality. When the gates opened for the first time, Crosby was there in person to welcome fans, instantly giving Del Mar a touch of Hollywood glamour.
That star power carried well into the 1940s as Crosbyâs celebrity circle helped elevate Del Marâs national profile. In 1946, the inaugural Bing Crosby Stakes debuted, and by the 1980s the track had grown into one of the most recognizable names in American racing.
The 1990s marked a major transformation, as Del Mar underwent a comprehensive renovation and introduced the Pacific Classic Stakes with an unprecedented $1 million purse â a race that remains central to Del Mar horse racing today.
Del Marâs stature has only continued to rise. The Breeders’ Cup World Championships made their debut there in 2017, returned in 2021, and the 2024 and 2025 editions were also hosted at the seaside track. Its inclusion in this elite rotation demonstrates Del Marâs enduring importance to the sport.
Today, Del Mar is firmly embedded in both online sportsbooks and off-track wagering platforms. It has evolved beyond pure racing, becoming a broader entertainment destination with concerts, festivals, and events that attract visitors year-round. Strong marketing and a modern approach have helped Del Mar resonate with younger audiences while keeping traditional racing fans engaged through Del Mar off-track betting sites.
Even as nationwide interest in horse racing shifts, Del Mar continues to thrive â and with the Pacific Classic set for August 30, 2026, excitement is already building for whatâs next.
Del Mar hosts over 300 events from grade 1 stakes to the illustrious San Diego County Fair. The Fairgrounds isnât just a horse racing track but a Californian treasure and a national attraction. Here is a typical schedule of the major events:
Del Mar hosts an extensive lineup of horse races from Grade 1 to ungraded stakes divided into two meets: summer (July to early September) and fall (November to early December):Â
Del Mar also hosts grade 3 and ungraded stakes races plus a slew of other events on top of these. Some years Del Mar even hosts the Breeders’ Cup, which adds 14 Grade 1 events to its early November calendar.
The Pacific Classic Stakes forms a major part of Del Marâs legacy. Since its debut in 1990 â won by Kentucky Derby runner-up and California Horse of the Year Best Pal â the race has cemented itself as one of the premier West Coast events in all of horse racing.
In 2003, Del Mar witnessed another historic moment when Hall of Famer Julie Krone guided Candy Ride to a record-setting performance, becoming the first female jockey to win a million-dollar race. The Clement L. Hirsch Stakes has also provided unforgettable chapters, highlighted by the legendary Zenyatta, who captured the race three times before winning the 2009 Breedersâ Cup Classic and earning the 2010 U.S. Horse of the Year title.
Few figures have influenced Del Mar more than Bob Baffert. The Hall of Fame trainer has amassed over 34 Grade 1 victories at the track, holding or sharing records in the Pacific Classic (seven wins), Bing Crosby Stakes (four), Debutante Stakes (10), and Del Mar Futurity (18). His presence has shaped entire eras of Del Mar horse racing.
Del Mar off-track betting has its own storied moments, too. In 2014, Handicapper of the Year Jose Arias made headlines after qualifying â and ultimately winning â at Surfside Race Place, the iconic wagering venue adjacent to the fairgrounds, earning a $750,000 payday and securing his place in OTB history.
In the 2020s, Del Mar has continued to evolve and flourish. The track successfully hosted the Breedersâ Cup in 2021, 2024, and 2025, reaffirming its status as a world-class venue capable of delivering high-stakes racing on a global stage. Investments in upgraded facilities, expanded event programming, and a stronger digital presence have made Del Mar racing more accessible than ever through online wagering and Del Mar betting platforms. With these advancements â and the Pacific Classic set for August 30, 2026 â Del Mar remains one of the sportâs most exciting and influential destinations in the modern era.
Big races and events happen at Del Mar during two meets
As one of Californiaâs premier racetracks, Del Mar hosts several major Grade 1 stakes, including the Pacific Classic â which returns on August 30, 2026 â and the Bing Crosby Stakes. Throughout the summer and fall meets, Del Mar is packed with top-tier horse racing alongside marquee attractions like the San Diego County Fair, making it one of the most vibrant stops on the racing calendar.
Del Mar off-track betting sites have great variety
There are plenty of off-track betting sites offering Del Mar odds from BetOnline to Bet365. These sites have their own perks and features lending to players having a great deal of choices. Players can take advantage of the bonuses by signing up for more than one book.
Great depth of Del Mar odds and a handicapping contest
For those looking for an extra challenge, or to try their hand in the lottery, Del Mar offers a handicapping contest available at their site. Not only will players get to win with individual wagers but the top wagerer at the end of the contest takes home an amazing prize.
The bread and butter of betting on horses at Del Mar lies with win, place, and show wagers: three bets you can make for your horse of choice. Betting on Win means youâre betting on the horse to finish first. Betting on Place means youâre betting on them to finish first or second. And betting on Show means youâre betting on them to finish in the top-three.
Betting to win has the highest payout of the three although betting on show may have have the best chances of the bet cashing in. Identify the risk level based on your confidence and choose the right bet.
Live wagering at Del Mar off track betting sites indicates the betting lines just before the horse race begins. You can normally place wagers on horse races the moment they open – even as early as months or years in the case of futures bets. But live wagering is for the day only.
As with many sports, horse racing changes a lot. Sometimes there are news breaks that could affect the race such as a horseâs previously undisclosed condition or a sudden change in weather.
Thanks to mobile apps and data, youâll be able to bet on Del Mar quickly and get the best lines before other players do.Â
Popular bets for Del Mar horse races include:
Exacta – betting on two horses in the same race to finish first and second in the exact order
Quinella – betting on two horses in the same race to finish first and second in any order
Trifecta – betting on three horses in the same race to finish first, second, and third in the exact order
Superfecta – betting on four horses in the same race to finish first, second, third, and fourth in the exact order
Double – betting on two horses in two different races to win (both must win to cash)
Pick 3 – betting on three horses in three different races to win (all must win to cash)
Pick 4 – betting on four horses in four different races to win (all must win to cash)
Pick 5 – betting on five horses in five different races to win (all must win to cash)
Pick 6 – betting on six horses in six different races to win (all must win to cash)
Prop bets are special types of bets that go beyond the basic bets of win, place, show, and intra-race and multi-race exotics. Think of these bets as side bets.
Futures bets are a special type of prop bet where you make bets on an event that is still far from happening or has not even been officially declared. These types of bets are usually reserved for the highest profile events like the Kentucky Derby or Breedersâ Cup or superstar horses like Triple Crown favorites.
Another common kind of prop bet available in major races are head-to-head prop bets. Instead of betting on an overall result in a race, some online betting sites allow you to bet whether one horse in a race will beat another, head to head. You are not betting on placement relative to the whole field, just to another horse. So, if your horse finishes second-last but the other horse in the head-to-head finishes last, you still win!
Del Mar and its off track betting sites also offer handicapping contests. Itâs a season-long contest where you compete against other players by correctly betting on winners. Place a wager on the designated Del Mar race: select a horse to win, place, or show. Your payout, depending on the betting odds you selected, will be the points you earn.
For example, you placed a wager of $100 for a horse to win and it paid at the odds of +750. Your payout will be $750 and this will be added to your score. Consequently, if your $100 bet lost, $100 will be deducted from your score.
The winner is whoever has the highest accumulated winnings after the event contest ends
About the Author
Trent’s your man when it comes to all things sports. He covers a wide range of sports for Sports Betting Sites, and has been published in some pretty reputable outlets, such as USA Today Sports, Vice, Bloody Elbow, Fight! Magazine, UFC 360, and Narratively. Trent’s got the inside track on all the happenings in the world of sports.
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