WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT DEL MAR

Situated on the Pacific Coast, 20 miles north of San Diego.

Opened in July 1937 when Bing Crosby, one of the founding partners, was on the gate to welcome the first visitors.

A playground for Hollywood celebrities either side of the Second World War when regular visitors included Betty Grable, a keen owner and breeder, Dorothy Lamour, Ava Gardner, Lucille Ball, Oliver Hardy, WC Fields and Jimmy Durante.

Before each meeting, a recording of Crosby singing ‘Where The Surf Meets The Turf’ is played — but tonight it will be performed live by Bon Jovi’s Richie Sambora.

The track is a one-mile oval with cambered bends. Some race distances are different this year because of the lay-out.

The short run from the home turn is just over a furlong (817ft).

Despite its tight configuration, the track tends to favour late finishers.

The top jockey this year is US-based Frenchman Flavien Prat.