Del Mar Thoroughbred Club canceled its planned Sunday race card due to safety concerns over the tropical storm that's due to sweep through Southern California this weekend.
"For the safety of everyone involved — our horses, our riders and all the workers, staff and fans — we have made the decision to cancel Sunday's races," DMTC President and COO Josh Rubinstein said.
"Unfortunately, the forecast calls for substantial rain and winds that appear to be headed our way. We are hopeful this will only be a one-day thing for us, but it is a necessary step we feel we have to take."
Hurricane Hilary was still moving up the coast of Baja California, and while it is expected to weaken to a tropical storm before it reaches Southern California, heavy rain and high winds are still anticipated across the region Sunday into Monday, possibly beginning as early as late Saturday.
It's just the second time in the track's 84-year history that racing has been canceled due to weather. In 2019, a Thanksgiving Day card was called off ahead of a projected storm.
Del Mar officials do not plan to schedule a make-up day, but instead will work in many of the planned races on different days over the coming weeks.
Storm safety tips
- Stay informed. Monitor television and radio for flood watches or warnings.
- Keep your gas tank full in case of evacuation or power outages.
- Use sandbags to divert water.
- Do not walk, swim or drive through flood waters. Just six inches of fast-moving water can knock you down and one foot of moving water can sweep your vehicle away.
- Do not touch electrical equipment if it is wet or if you are standing in water. If you see a downed power line, call 911 and (800) 411-SDGE to report it. If someone has come in contact with electrical equipment, don't touch them.
- Keep a written list of emergency contacts.
- Make a plan in case of an emergency. Speak with family, friends and/or neighbors who can help ahead of time. If you rely on electrically operated medical equipment, make a plan for backup power.
- If you smell gas or suspect a gas leak, leave the area. Call 911 or SDG&E at (800) 611-7343.
- Secure outdoor items to prevent them from flying away.
- Gather supplies such as food, water and a flashlight to last at least three to five days.
- Call 211 for information including on disaster resources available 24 hours a day in over 200 languages.
Sources: Ready.gov, County of San Diego Office of Emergency Services, 211 San Diego, SDG&E.
