A lot of information can be had at Del Mar's terrific web site at dmtc.com.

Other than Opening Day and Pacific Classic Day, decent seats are available and fairly easy to get. Just go to the box office. Or go online. PERSONAL RECOMMENDATION: To get good seats near the finish line, befriend an usher, hand him $20, and he may even seat you somewhere close to trainer Bob Baffert.

But the best thing about Del Mar is just wandering around. Seeing the horses. Seeing the women. [WOMEN ACTUALLY GO TO THE RACES AT DEL MAR! Whereas at Aqueduct, everybody weighs 400 pounds and is named "Vinnie."] Also, unlike Saratoga, where it takes 20 minutes to get from the paddock to your seat, at Del Mar it's a pretty quick hop, skip and a jump to go from the wonderful paddock to your seat. To me, the facility feels just right. Like a racetrack should. Think the anti-Gulfstream. Hey! And there are no mosquitoes [like at Saratoga]! The track is 300 yards from the ocean!

The occasional handicapping seminars ThoroGraph participates in are worthwhile if that interests you. I think this List's Del Mar Deb shows up to help out there. You can purchase your ThoroGraphs across the street from the track at the Winners Circle Resort.

Recommended eateries:

- The Fish Market: across the street from the track. Seafood.
- Milton's Delicatessen: Breakfast with trainers.
- Red Tracton's: across the street from the track. Steak. Hooker action at the bar.
- Pamplemousse Grille: across the street from the track. $$$$ but worth it. Eat at the bar and talk to owner/chef Jeff.
- Souplantation: all-you-can-eat salad/pizza/pastas/soups/ice cream bar. Cheap. Football teams, middle-income families and losing horseplayers come to pig out.
- Epazotes: In Del Mar village. Southwestern/Mexican. Awesome women. Pick-up bar scene.

On off days, see the Padres at Petco Park. See open-air Shakespeare at the Old Globe Theatre. AND MOST IMPORTANT ADVICE: After the races, go to Del Mar Village Park, sit on a park bench that looks out towards the incredible Pacific ocean, watch the surfers in front of you and an incredible setting sun behind them. Then inhale slowly and exhale slowly. Then repeat. In. Out. In. Out. Finally, ask yourself: "Am I dreaming? This is paradise. Why am I living in New York, when I can be HERE!?

Hope this helped.

JohnTChance