A favorite returns: Opening Day Hats Contest

1/40

Jody Pinchin, Lindsey Rummings, Elena Embree, Peggy Stern, Sheba McMahon, Deena Von Yokes, Ugochi Iwuaba, Gigi Xiang, Alesha Corine (Jon Clark)

2/40

Greg Borsuk, Nadia Johnson (Jon Clark)

3/40

Kelsey Buller with Joe Harper (Director, President & CEO of the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club) (Jon Clark)

4/40

Erich Grosse, Lisa Alvarez, Tricia and Derek Downey (Jon Clark)

5/40

Rosa King, Aroldo Jasso (Jon Clark)

6/40

Stephanie Lesinski, Christina Smith, and Gigi Brintwood sign up Hat Contest contestants (Jon Clark)

7/40

Kelly Krewson, Sara Sweet, Patti Amdrzejak, Dr. Gianne Brintwood, Shana Pennington, Christina Smith (Jon Clark)

8/40

Danica Farley, Vivian Baldwin (Jon Clark)

9/40

Julie Sarno, Dee Ammon, Patty Moises (Jon Clark)

10/40

Jody Pinchin, Lindsey Rummings, Elena Embree, Peggy Stern, Sheba McMahon, Deena Von Yokes, Ugochi Iwuaba, Gigi Xiang, Alesha Corine (Jon Clark)

11/40

Frank Morelli (Jon Clark)

12/40

Del Mar Thoroughbred Club CEO Joe Harper with former San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer (Jon Clark)

13/40

Breanna Ramirez, Tina Wygant, April Sheffield, Leah Kennedy (Jon Clark)

14/40

Noreen Grubbs, Patrick Comyns, Bernadette and Jim Watkins (Jon Clark)

15/40

Kealoha Arelliano, Robert Jenkins, Janet Hubbard (Jon Clark)

16/40

Joyce Shaw, Kathy Davidson, Sherill Van Dam (Jon Clark)

17/40

Amber Shafer (Jon Clark)

18/40

Joan Sellers, Jenny Hall, Shannon Haldeman (Jon Clark)

19/40

Joan Sellers, Jenny Hall, Shannon Haldeman (Jon Clark)

20/40

Nakelle and Megan Fitzpatrick (Jon Clark)

21/40

Horses exercise in the paddock on opening day at Del Mar (Jon Clark)

22/40

Horses exercise in the paddock on opening day at Del Mar (Jon Clark)

23/40

Ceci Sanchez, Archie Perry, Anita Warren, Genie Yamaoka, Josefa Snider (Jon Clark)

24/40

Del Mar Thoroughbred Club CEO Joe Harper with former San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer (Jon Clark)

25/40

Nani Richards, Gigi Brintwood (Jon Clark)

26/40

Rob Powell, Kelly and Tony Renaud, Ed Yuskiewicz, Shelley Myers (Jon Clark)

27/40

Wendy Matthews, Mike Mangino (Jon Clark)

28/40

Kelsey Buller with Joe Harper (Director, President & CEO of the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club) (Jon Clark)

29/40

Maggie Bobileff, Joani Wafer, Denise Hug, Nancy Santoro (Jon Clark)

30/40

Laura Vidican, Sara Sweett, Paula Saunders, Priscilla Abeyta (Jon Clark)

31/40

Marcia Daley, Mary Ledding (Jon Clark)

32/40

Rick Carpenter, Bianca Juarez, Kari DeBurgh, Jim Kear (Jon Clark)

33/40

Lori Shelton (Jon Clark)

34/40

Sandra Comer (Jon Clark)

35/40

Rebecca Smith (Jon Clark)

36/40

Marie Belknap, Torre Middleton, Bridget Nicoletti (Jon Clark)

37/40

Jenny Hall, Shannon Haldeman (Jon Clark)

38/40

Horses exercise in the paddock on opening day at Del Mar (Jon Clark)

39/40

Joan Sellers, Jenny Hall (Jon Clark)

40/40

Horses exercise in the paddock on opening day at Del Mar (Jon Clark)

July 20, 2021 10:17 AM PT

Racegoers were extra happy to celebrate Del Mar’s Opening Day this year as it was the first time the public was permitted to return to the track since the COVID-19 pandemic shut everything down in March 2020. One of the racing season’s most popular events, the Hats Contest, was also welcomed back with enthusiasm and creativity. The racing season --including more popular events--runs through Sept. 6. For more information, visit dmtc.com.

Photos by Jon Clark

A favorite returns: Opening Day Hats Contest

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