In my previous blog post, I shared photos of a colorful fair mural at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. It decorates one side of the long tunnel under the horse racing track. The tunnel connects the Grandstand with the infield.
Now I’ll share photographs of the mural that decorates the tunnel’s opposite side. Also painted by artist Tom Fagan, it depicts the history of horse racing at the racetrack!
The Del Mar Racetrack was added to the fairgrounds in 1936 by the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club. Founding member Bing Crosby led the effort. You know, he who famously sings “Where the turf meets the surf down at old Del Mar. Take a plane, take a train, take a car. There is a smile on every face and a winner in each race…”
Back in the day, Hollywood movie stars and celebrities would flock to the races, including frequent visitor and avid horseplayer Jimmy Durante. The mural shows some of that.
…
To follow my blog, find the “Follow” box in this website’s sidebar. Or bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!
(If you’re viewing this on a phone, open my website’s sidebar by tapping those three parallel lines at the top of the page.)
