Amtrak adding trains for racing season

San Diego Business Journal, July 21, 2008 by Connie Lewis

All Aboard: For nearby visitors, Amtrak is making things a bit easier to take in a day at the horse races this year.

During the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club's season that started July 16 and runs through Sept. 3, it has added a "racetracker" that will run between Santa Ana and the Solana Beach station near the track on weekends.

Listed on Amtrak's schedule as the "advanced" 768, it runs about 10 minutes ahead of the regular 768 and originates in Santa Ana each Saturday and Sunday at 10:20 a.m. It stops in Irvine, San Juan Capistrano and Oceanside before arriving in Solana Beach at 11:40.

The regularly scheduled 768, which departs from Union Station in Los Angeles at 9:40 a.m. on weekends, makes regular stops--including one in Santa Ana at 10:30--and arrives at the Solana Beach station at 11:49.

Returning, the advanced 591 departs north from Solana Beach at 6:46 p.m. and makes stops in Oceanside, San Juan Capistrano and Irvine before terminating in Santa Ana at 7:55. The regular 591 leaves Solana Beach at 6:56 p.m., making regular stops, including one at Santa Ana at 8:09, and arrives in Los Angeles at 8:55.

The earlier train will likely appeal to fans who want to spend a little extra time poring over the Daily Racing Form, and the later train should prove convenient for those who have to spend additional time collecting large winnings at the betting window.

Send hospitality and tourism news to Connie Lewis via e-mail: clewis@sdbj.com.