The 71st racing season at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club racetrack are off and running and everyone has a theory on how to pick a winner.
There are plenty of people watching material on opening day at Del Mar: women in hats that tower two or three feet above their heads, men in seersucker suits.
Supposedly though, everyone is here to see the horses.
Before the races, the track hosts newcomers’ sessions on how to pick a winner. There are plenty of newcomers placing bets, but most prefer to stick with their own, unscientific, systems.
Some said they were leaving it up to the luck of the draw, others poured over the standings and analysis in the morning paper. Some simply picked the horses with the best names.
After 31 years coming to Del Mar, Ewald Brieski has developed a mathematical system for picking his favorites, but he isn’t divulging the algorithm. He said that’s only part of the fun, anyway.
“You get a favorite horse and you just kind of like to follow it, like following a NASCAR driver or a baseball player. And the beauty of the horse is you’re getting two for one, because you’re getting the beauty of the horse and you’re getting a little fun to put a little money on it and hope it wins, you know?” Brieski said.
Bettors can pick their favorites every Wednesday to Sunday now through September 8.
