The Bing Crosby Season opened at Del Mar this November with something more evocative than sea air or the thrum of hooves — it opened with nostalgia. As the gates swung wide and the crowd leaned in, a familiar melody drifted across the seaside track: Bing Crosby’s warm voice singing “Where The Turf Meets The Surf.” For many long-time regulars, it felt like being welcomed home.
Now in its 12th running, the meet has become an autumn ritual — a blend of racing heritage and old-Hollywood storytelling that still tugs at the heart. Generations may have changed, but the charm of the season remains unmistakably intact, much like the legend whose name it carries.
Within its compact 16-day calendar, the Bing Crosby Season celebrates names that read like a walk of fame: Desi Arnaz, Bob Hope, Jimmy Durante and Cecil B. DeMille. Their legacies stretch far beyond film and television; they helped shape the personality of Del Mar itself.
It was Crosby who started it all in 1937, bringing his love of horses and his star power to a coastal town that was quietly becoming a magnet for Hollywood’s elite. Stars flocked to Del Mar — close enough to the studios for convenience, far enough to feel like escape. Bing’s voice, his films, his enduring place in American culture still define the track’s atmosphere. Even today, “White Christmas” echoes through shops in early November as reliably as Bing’s racing anthem plays at Del Mar.
This Sunday, another iconic name returns to the programme — Desi Arnaz. Long before he became Ricky Ricardo in I Love Lucy, Arnaz was hands-on with his breeding operation at Corona Breeding Farm. One of his standout runners, Champsville, flashed speed and charisma much like the man who bred him. After retiring from Hollywood, Arnaz settled just a short drive from the track he loved.
In 2014, Del Mar honoured his contributions by renaming the Moccasin Stakes as the Desi Arnaz Stakes, a fixture that continues to connect racing fans to the entertainer’s history.
Few friendships defined Hollywood like the bond between Crosby and Bob Hope. The pair lit up screens in the celebrated “Road” films, and they shared more than just scripts — they shared admiration for Del Mar. Hope frequented the track, performing for crowds and embracing the relaxed camaraderie of seaside racing.
This fall marks the 45th running of the Bob Hope Stakes, a race carrying the comedian’s name since Del Mar adopted it from Hollywood Park in 2014.
Anyone driving toward the grounds will pass a familiar street sign: Jimmy Durante Blvd. The comedian, pianist, and all-around showman was a longtime Del Mar resident who often entertained at the Turf Club. His warmth made him a local favourite.
On Saturday, November 29, the Jimmy Durante Stakes will be contested for the 35th time. Formerly the Miesque Stakes from Hollywood Park, it remains one of the meet’s most anticipated closing-week contests.
Closing day on Sunday, November 30, brings the Cecil B. DeMille Stakes, a race named after the man who helped create the Hollywood dream. One of cinema’s most influential producers and directors, DeMille left an imprint not only on film but on generations of stars who made Del Mar a part of their lives. Now in its 44th running, the race provides a fitting finale to a meet defined by glamour, legacy and racing passion.
The 2025 Bing Crosby Season continues to prove that racing at Del Mar is more than competition — it is heritage, community and storytelling woven together by time.
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