Del Mar’s Youth Connection
Del Mar Release
DEL MAR, Calif.—Del Mar will begin a new effort to give its youthful fans an “inside” look at the game with an up-close-and-personal session in the paddock on race days starting this Sunday.
Called “Paddock Pals,” the program will see a Del Mar staff member randomly select a youngster and their family out of the crowd and accompany them into the paddock prior to certain races throughout the summer season. There the “Pal” will be in close proximity to the Thoroughbred racehorses as they are saddled up for their impending activity, listen in on chats between owners and trainers and interact with jockeys in their colorful silks as they prepare to mount up and ride.
As the horses head out to the racetrack, the “Pal” will receive a final memento prior to heading back to their seat to watch ‘their’ race unfold – a set of official jockey goggles.
“Lots of racing fans will tell you that they first learned to love the game in their youth when they went racing with their parents, family or friends,” said Del Mar’s president Josh Rubinstein. “We want kids throughout the summer to not only enjoy the general experience at Del Mar, but also have a unique encounter that they can carry forward forever.”
Rubinstein credits Aron Wellman, the head of the highly successful ownership group Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, with triggering the idea.
Del Mar’s 31-day meet is off and running Friday and will continue until Sunday, September 7. After opening weekend, the track will have a Thursday-through-Sunday schedule for the majority of the season.
