Breeders Cup tickets

[IrishS]

Where are the best seats at Monmouth/ the worst seats? This will be our 5th Breeders Cup. Being from California I have never been to Monmouth, but the tickets are so expensive this year, I want to be sure the seats will be worth the investment. Really appreciate the help.

[MaTH716]

Originally Posted by IrishS

Where are the best seats at Monmouth/ the worst seats? This will be our 5th Breeders Cup. Being from California I have never been to Monmouth, but the tickets are so expensive this year, I want to be sure the seats will be worth the investment. Really appreciate the help.

I recieved the application the other day. They really have priced out the regular folk. As far as the prices go that start at 50 dollars and that is for general admission (standing room only). The cheapest seats are 100 dollars apiece, they are being called section 400. These seats are pretty much on the clubhouse turn. I am guessing that these will be temporary seats. There is usually nothing in this area, so I do not know if ther will be temporary, betting windows, bathrooms and concessions. I guess that they will have to make some sort of arrangements. They also have section 911-922 which are 100 dollars also. These seats are in the top of the stretch, there are betting windows there. I do not know how high the temp seating will be. Right now it is like a picnic type area. Basically you have a really good view of horses coming around the final turn, but you can forget about seeing them in the deep stretch and at the wire. For 150 dollars they have section 906-910, these just get you a little closer to the wire, they are around the 1/8 pole. For 160 dollars the have section 800, these seats look like they are somewhat on the rail. It is a little tough to tell, I am going off the application. But these seats start before the 1/16 pole and go almost to the top of the stretch. I do not know how high the seating will be, so I do not know if you will be able to see the horses on the backstretch. The 180 dollar sections are sec 600 and secs. 901-905. Section 600 is where the benches are now in front of the grandstand, they go from about the 1/16 pole to the finish line. Not sure if it will be seats or if they are selling tickets to the benches. Section 901-905 looks to be elevated seating behind part of section 800. Section 901-905 is located between the 1/16 and 1/8 poles. Section 700 are 200 dollar seats, they look like they are located behind the section 600. I think it is the same area, where the benches are now but just a little higher up. I could be mistaken about these. For 225 dollars you get grandstand balcony seats. Then for 175 dollars or 250 dollars you get seating in the Lady secret cafe (175) of the Monmouth Cafe, 225 gets you some sort of buffet. As far as my opinion, I would tell you to save your money and wait for it to go back to Belmont or Churchill where the event belongs. Even though Monmouth is my home track, I think the Breeders Cup will be a disaster this year. Monmouth Park can barely accomadate the Haskell every year let alone a Breeders Cup. When I first heard about it coming to Monmouth I was very excited, then I thought about it and realized that they are crazy for trying to pull this off at Monmouth. The track is too small, and the traffic situation will be a nightmare. There is pretty much one road in and out of the place and it gets backed up for a normal Saturday of racing. Then there is the whole pricing of the tickets, it is out of control. I assume most people go to the track with a couple of hundred dollars to play and spend during the day. You are charging fifty dollars just to get into the place, thats crazy. I myself will probably just go Friday, when the tickets are one third the price of the Saturday tickets. I believe you can get an application at Monmouthpark.com. They also say preference will be awarded to people who are looking to buy Friday and Saturday tickets. As far as where I would recommend sitting is if you have the money, try to get the grandstand balcony seats. These are permanate seats in the grandstand. Everything is there, betting windows, bathrooms, food and so on. You will have a good view of the whole track. Plus if the weather is lousy you will be covered. If it is cold you would be able to hang out inside. You might even get a view of the paddock if you walk over to the other side. This is supposed to be the biggest day of the year for racing fans, I sure hope Monmouth is able to pull it off, but I have a very bad feeling.

[IrishS]

Thank you so much for all of the information. We loved Belmont in spite of the cold wind. We could see everything, get to the paddock easily and the train was great. Next year is Santa Anita, which was also terrific. Maybe we should skip Monmouth,but to see the greatest horses in the world as we have the past Four Breeders Cup is hard to pass up.

[randallscott35]

I'm putting in for tix. Not cheap for good seats but when is the next time The BC will be at Monmouth? 20 years?

[MaTH716]

Never! I really hope I am wrong. But Monmouth really is not big enough to handle this big of a crowd, on a very important day. Belmont is a big spacious park, Monmouth is just the opposite. It is a cozy, summer shore crowd, family type atmosphere track. Not to mention, what the racing will be like. You remember Lone Star?

[Storm Cadet]

Originally Posted by MaTH716

Never! I really hope I am wrong. But Monmouth really is not big enough to handle this big of a crowd, on a very important day. Belmont is a big spacious park, Monmouth is just the opposite. It is a cozy, summer shore crowd, family type atmosphere track. Not to mention, what the racing will be like. You remember Lone Star?

I agree...Monmouth Park is nice to visit on a warm summer day...but in early November. There is no heat in the facility. Parking will be brutal. There is that one lane road in and out of the track.

I'll pass on this one...I've froze my butt off at Belmont for the Breeders Cup but at least you can park and get out there easily.

[Port Conway Lane]

Originally Posted by MaTH716

Then for 175 dollars or 250 dollars you get seating in the Lady secret cafe (175) of the Monmouth Cafe, 225 gets you some sort of buffet.

Hi MaTH716,
Thanks for the writeup.
I went to Monmouth's website and from what I could tell the Ladys secret cafe appears to be outdoors with no cover. I would rather pay $50 for standing room only and walk outside to watch the races than having to sit in 40 degree weather for 6 hours in a $175 seat. I think you're right this will be a disaster especially if the weather is cold or raining. I may wait until the week before the race, check the forcast and go to ebay for tickets rather than paying $500 up front for 2 seats that are undetermined. Another thing screwed up is the webpage to apply online. It has a padlock below where a person puts their personal information and credit card # yet the webpage has no security certificate ! It's beyond me why they even pretend that this is a safe method to apply for tickets.

[Port Conway Lane]

One more question MaTH716,
I noticed on the seating chart they make a distinction between the grandstand mezzanine seats and the grandstand balcony seats,which appear to be above the mezzanine. The balcony seats don't appear to be under cover and are $50 on Friday compared to $60 for the mezzanine. The mezzanine seats are not even listed as an option on Saturday. Are you familiar with what they describe as the balcony seats?
Thanks,

PCL.

[MaTH716]

I do not think that there will be anyplace to go outside to see the races. It looks like they are going to try to put temp. seats anywhere they can. Including the area around the 1/16th pole to the finish line where they have benches now. I also do not think that you will be able to walk up and stand on the rail. As far as the grandstand balcony/mezzanine \ goes, they are both covered areas. I am guessing that the mezzanine will be saved for owners and sponsers. The balcony is not that bad, at least you will have a good view of the track and be covered if it rains. But I do not think that they are worth $225 dollars. I have only been up there once or twice and I am not sure about how many betting windows are up there. Hopefully I will be there this weekend, I will give a little look see and let you know what the story is. Bottom line is that Monmouth Park has one big racing day a year, and they can barely pull that off. Magnify that by 10x and lets see what you get. I would love to see Monmouth pull this off, but I just do not seeing it happening.

[Port Conway Lane]

I think you're right about no place to stand outside. I'd want to know where I will go to have a smoke if they have guards at the outdoor exits to the concourse like they do at the Preakness. I'll look for your report on the balcony,thanks.