Should you’re headed to the 2024 Breeders’ Cup at Del Mar Nov. 1-2, there’s an excellent likelihood you’re exhibiting up with cellphone in hand. There’s no disgrace in it — you’re going to be on the World Championships of horse racing. Should you don’t have the pictures to show it, have been you actually even there?
As somebody who has been fortunate sufficient to go to Del Mar on a number of events, I assumed I’d offer you slightly preview of a few of the spots on the monitor the place you possibly can seize some superior pictures. Listed below are the individuals, locations, and issues that you just would possibly wish to seize along with your cellphone digital camera — or an precise digital camera!
The Paddock
For these new to horse racing, the paddock is the place all of the motion occurs earlier than every race. Seeing as there will probably be 14 championship races over the two-day Breeders’ Cup, the paddock will probably be the place the horses for every of these races will make their first look to the general public.
If you would like an image of a selected horse, safe a spot exterior the Del Mar paddock at the least half-hour earlier than their scheduled race. On the Breeders’ Cup, you would possibly wish to present as much as the paddock space even earlier as a result of it will probably get crowded and snapping a photograph that’s blurred by some dude’s head in entrance of you isn’t what you need.
Paddock Entrances/Exits
Generally, you don’t truly need to be proper exterior the paddock to seize a cool picture. There are two predominant paths into and out of the paddock the place individuals will line up earlier than every race.
The clubhouse-side paddock entrance at Del Mar is the place the horses full their walks over from the barn space. Once they’re prepared to move to the monitor, they stroll out an exit to the monitor and that pathway is one other space exterior of which you’ll be able to stand. That very same path is the place you’ll see the jockeys popping out of the “jocks room” earlier than every race and who doesn’t love a photograph of a jockey?
17 Arms
In case your digital camera roll is crammed with pictures from each restaurant you go to, I really feel you. In between races, pop into 17 Arms which is simply to the proper of the paddock — should you’re dealing with the paddock with the racetrack behind you. 17 Arms is without doubt one of the best spots on the bottom degree of Del Mar to choose up a signature Del Margarita. Pair it with a few tacos and also you’ve checked off the meals/drink picture field.
Plaza de Mexico & The Fountain
Not removed from 17 Arms is certainly one of Del Mar’s most iconic spots — the fountain on the heart of Plaza de Mexico. The plaza capabilities as a hub for lots of exercise on the monitor, together with the favored hat contest held yearly on opening day of the summer time meet in July.
Should you stand simply in entrance if the fountain whereas dealing with the grandstand, you’ll fill your picture body with one of many extra hanging representations of the monitor’s magnificence.
Beginning Gate
Pay shut consideration to the beginning gate. You’ll word that after every race, it’ll be repositioned on the monitor in order that it’s parked in a spot to accommodate the assorted distances at which racehorses run. For a few of the longer races, the gate will probably be positioned proper in entrance of the followers within the grandstand. So, plan forward and be aware of which races will begin on the frontside of the monitor — there’s a mini monitor map within the racing program that’ll present you the place every race begins — and scout out a spot close to the rail.
You possibly can seize pictures of the horses loading into the gate and footage of the race beginning. This additionally a super selfie spot.
JockeyCam VR Horse Rides
Yep, you learn that appropriately. You possibly can expertise what it’s prefer to experience in a horse racing by attempting on the VR headseat and hopping onto one of many stationary horses arrange by the group at JockeyCam.
What’s even funnier is taking pictures or, even higher, video of your pals doing their finest to nearly experience a racehorse. Belief me! Discover the JockeyCam VR horses, dare your pals to strive it, and seize as a lot content material as doable. You’ll have a reminiscence you’ll be laughing about for years.
Breeders’ Cup Picture Partitions
Simply as you’d discover at different main out of doors sporting occasions, the occasion photo-ops and flowery backdrops are inclined to pop up round massive days in racing. Should you’re in a VIP hospitality space for Breeders’ Cup, you’ll nearly definitely spot one.
However even should you’re roaming the grandstand in the course of the World Championships, a flower wall or an analogous Breeders’ Cup branded backdrop will probably be there for a photograph to mark your go to to Del Mar.
Winner’s Circle
On race days, this space is strictly guarded for entry by official personnel, media, homeowners, trainers, and grooms who look after the horses. Nonetheless, should you stand simply exterior the winner’s circle, you possibly can nonetheless snag a cool shot of a successful horse being led in for his or her post-race monitor picture. You’ll additionally sometimes spot a celeb or two presenting the winner’s trophy for a Breeders’ Cup race.
Exterior Gardens/Flowers
This would be the first and final reminder of Del Mar’s aesthetic magnificence.
In your manner into and out of the monitor, be aware of immaculate landscaping which can embody vivid flowers, bushes and different vegetation (that I want I might establish).
Suffice it to say, all of it makes for lovely picture alternatives — whether or not you’re simply capturing the flowers and vegetation by themselves or should you determine that they’re the proper background for a photograph or your self or the individuals who’ll be on the Breeders’ Cup with you.
