Hooves against turf. Hats on heads. Drinks in hand. Del Mar's Summer Season is upon us.

Sport of kings? More recently, sport of sheiks, but who cares.
Grand facility that it is, Del Mar combines so many sensory pleasures that you'll forget your hunch just cost you a bunch.
On July 16 about 40,000 fans will inundate Del Mar for Opening Day. Why not throw in some habberdashed tom foolery, too, with "The One and Only Truly Fabulous Hats" contest. (The photo gallery can best show how last year's party combined an ancient sporting and social event with Spongebob Squarepants.) This year the Family Fun Day party will showcase Del Mar mascot, Ponyboy -- replete with Ponyboy plush toy giveaway.
On the idyllic grounds, capturing and nurturing the same atmosphere that had Bing Crosby greeting guests when it opened, Del Mar is positioned near the Pacific Ocean and the Amtrak line. Sure, there's plenty of parking and hoteliers nearby, but why not make it a weekend by taking the Pacific Surfliner down? Beats traffic on The 5.
Racing runs until Sept. 3, when Closing Day is celebrated with a grand party near the paddock.
In between the opening bell and closing day, the horse racing shows off the best talent in the sport -- as well as some of the best musical talent you'll find this summer.
Need to ease that failed trifecta from the third race? Or celebrate the perfecta your buddy landed? Stick around for Gnarls Barkley, The Bravery and Pinback among other top-notch acts. Infield parties, reggae festivals are scattered through the San Diego summer, as well. (Full list of events here.)
Back to racing, pencil August 24 for the richest and most anticipated race of the season: The $1 Million Pacific Classic. Racing at Del Mar is held daily, except Tuesdays, with post time for the first race on most days at 2pm. On most Fridays, the first post is at 4pm -- and the concerts start kicking after the last race on Fridays.
And if you're queasy about the horses' health and care, the dialog is well underway between PETA and Churchill Downs (a track back east, we hear).