DEL MAR TO BE SOLD

Del Mar racetrack, the famed California landmark that Bing Crosby founded in 1937 will be sold... The city of Del Mar has reportedly reached a preliminary agreement to buy Del Mar Race Track and the surrounding fairgrounds from the state of California. According to the San Diego Union Tribune, legislation was introduced late Wednesday in the state legislature that would authorize the sale of the track and 400 acres for about $120 million. Other details and the actual purchase price are still to be determined. "The activities we know and love at the fairgrounds will undoubtedly continue," State Senator Christine Kehoe, D-San Diego, was quoted by the paper. "For all intents and purposes it will look and feel the same." Kehoe expects the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club to continue conducting horse racing at the facility, which concluded its 71st season last month. However, fair board member Barry Nussbaum told the newspaper he was stunned by the developments. "Why this would have to happen in the middle of the night without consulting experts who run this facility is flabbergasting," Nussbaum told the paper. Del Mar opened for racing in 1937 with Bing Crosby collecting tickets.