is calder worth a visit?

[NoLuvForPletch]

Going to Ft lauderdale with the family (wife and 2 daughters, 4 and 1). Is Calder worth a day for the family?

[Kasept]

Originally Posted by NoLuvForPletch

Going to Ft lauderdale with the family (wife and 2 daughters, 4 and 1). Is Calder worth a day for the family?

Calder is great fun. Don't hesitate... Go. It's a real racetrack.

[NoLuvForPletch]

Originally Posted by Kasept

Calder is great fun. Don't hesitate... Go. It's a real racetrack.

Thanks Steve...

[Bigsmc]

Calder > Gulfstream

[philcski]

Originally Posted by NoLuvForPletch

Going to Ft lauderdale with the family (wife and 2 daughters, 4 and 1). Is Calder worth a day for the family?

Calder is great. Not luxe like GP but a very enjoyable day at the races.

[Bogey]

Originally Posted by NoLuvForPletch

Going to Ft lauderdale with the family (wife and 2 daughters, 4 and 1). Is Calder worth a day for the family?

You gotta have a bowl of their Manhattan (Red) Clam Chowder, one of the best IMO. Lots of areas to enjoying the races. You probably want to avoid the dog days of summer June, July, August, and September because all 300 patrons will be inside sucking up the AC.

On a side note, I never understood why Calder never figured to run their races at night especially during the summer months. It would be better on the horses and would attract bigger pools IMO. Instead they go up against the Big boys in the summer (Belmont/Saratoga, CD, AP, MON, & others) and don't get the handle. I love it when they have the twilight post times 3pm on Fridays and go up against these same tracks. There might be an issue with the local dog tracks that wouldn't allow it to happen. Anyways enjoy your time there.

[tector]

Originally Posted by Bogey

You gotta have a bowl of their Manhattan (Red) Clam Chowder, one of the best IMO. Lots of areas to enjoying the races. You probably want to avoid the dog days of summer June, July, August, and September because all 300 patrons will be inside sucking up the AC.

On a side note, I never understood why Calder never figured to run their races at night especially during the summer months. It would be better on the horses and would attract bigger pools IMO. Instead they go up against the Big boys in the summer (Belmont/Saratoga, CD, AP, MON, & others) and don't get the handle. I love it when they have the twilight post times 3pm on Fridays and go up against these same tracks. There might be an issue with the local dog tracks that wouldn't allow it to happen. Anyways enjoy your time there.

You are mostly right--state law prohibits thoroughbred racing at night. Last post must go off before 7pm. This was done at the behest of the other parimutuels years ago.

It would be a great idea, at least for the worst part of summer. Therefore Floriduh won't do it.

[robfla]

Originally Posted by NoLuvForPletch

Going to Ft lauderdale with the family (wife and 2 daughters, 4 and 1). Is Calder worth a day for the family?

Best place to go is the 4th floor balcony. Great view of the live racing and very casual - usually not crowded at all up there. If it gets too hot, just stroll in to the 4th floor clubhouse and slip Willie a 10 spot for a box with a personal TV


As a bonus, they actually have real dirt and two turn 1 mile races

[Travis Stone]

I really enjoyed Calder... it's a great spot.

[robfla]

A bit off topic, but I just d/l the card for Calder today and noticed no rolling pick 3's. There are only 4 on the card. I called to voice my opinion and the rocket scientist that I talked to said the decision was based on the fact that handle was substantially down on pick 3's last year. No sh!t sherlock, the signal wasn't sent to 95% of simulcast / ADW's last year until very late in the meet. Anyways, apparently they have gotten many calls like mine and are addressing the fact at a meeting next week.

Very depressing, as that is 98% of my handle.

Also, they have 1 pick 4 ( called the BIG 4 ), a .50c wager starting in the 7th race.


If anyone would like to voice their opinion on this as well here is their number: 305-625-1311

[Danzig]

i went to the calder site and checked to see how far it was from kissimmee, since we'll be there in july. now i just need to check with tony when he gets up and see if he wants to make an over six hour round trip to go to the track...
it's a shame tho that we won't be there a week later, since they have a big day carded on the 11th. timing is everything.

[Bigsmc]

Originally Posted by Danzig

i went to the calder site and checked to see how far it was from kissimmee, since we'll be there in july. now i just need to check with tony when he gets up and see if he wants to make an over six hour round trip to go to the track...
it's a shame tho that we won't be there a week later, since they have a big day carded on the 11th. timing is everything.

We pack up the kids and hit Calder a couple times a summer. 8hrs+ round trip. They sleep the whole way back so the only real torture is getting there.

Kissimmee is a straight shot down the turnpike. There is a turnpike exit that dumps you off right at the track easy in easy out.

[westcoastinvader]

Originally Posted by NoLuvForPletch

Going to Ft lauderdale with the family (wife and 2 daughters, 4 and 1). Is Calder worth a day for the family?

Your kids are a little young to enjoy the Florida Keys, but if you and your wife get the itch it's an EZ shot down the Turnpike "extension" right by Calder and down to the end in Homestead. Maybe 45 minutes of clear sailing, max. The drive a little further south and say you made it to Key Largo.

Few beaches in the Keys, and rare to have any that are not man made. But the seafood, drink and scenery is Grade A if you want to spend a night down there. Lots of Mom & Pop motels and eating spots and seafood shacks for reasonable, too.

I used to go evening reef fishing on a group boat out of Key Largo called "Miss Majestic." My old girlfriend saw it in my address book once and was convinced "Miss Majestic" was my code for a stripper or escort or something.