2017 Opening Day at the Races

Madison Dutra, Michael Williams, Alex Visser (McKenzie Images)

The 2017 summer racing season at Del Mar kicked off July 19. The day included the 23rd annual Opening Day Hats Contest, presented by Valenti International, which drew more than 300 contestants. Among those at the event were Brittany Kolehmainen, Kimberly Rushing, Aimee Meals, Sonia Mahfouz, Ingrid Fioroni. See page B10 for more. Online: delmartimes.net and dmtc.com  (McKenzie Images)

Horses and riders leave the paddock for the first race of the season (McKenzie Images)

The racing begins at Del Mar (McKenzie Images)

Our Nation, with Flavien Prat aboard, edges Getoffmyback ridden by Evin Roman in the first race at Del Mar (McKenzie Images)

Horses and riders leave the paddock for the first race of the season (McKenzie Images)

Jockeys in the paddock (McKenzie Images)

Anders Nylen, Shelley Barnaby, Patti and Mark Gonzales (McKenzie Images)

Joel Nasers, Tiffany Garcia (McKenzie Images)

Joel Nasers, Tiffany Garcia (McKenzie Images)

MJ McCarthy Lloyd, Stephanie Yuschenkoff, Holly Fredensburg (McKenzie Images)

Laura Paulson, Sara Sweet, Gigi Brintwood (McKenzie Images)

Ana Flora Royet (McKenzie Images)

Virginia Demoss, Zuilma Sanchez, Liliana Prieto (McKenzie Images)

Christina Stutz (McKenzie Images)

Kimberly Pines (Pine Street Floral), opening day hat contest sponsor Studio Savvy stylist Kassidy Byers (McKenzie Images)

Sarah Daab, Stefani Stevenson, Aracel Palacios (McKenzie Images)

Jennifer Blake, Irene Cruz, Lyndell Werling (McKenzie Images)

Rebecca Grimmius, Matt Dean (McKenzie Images)

Kimberly Pines (Pine Street Floral), opening day hat contest sponsor Studio Savvy stylist Kassidy Byers (McKenzie Images)

Opening Day at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club Title Sponsor Irene Valenti and her team (McKenzie Images)