Day at the Races

[Sightseek]

Do you have a spot or routine you always follow while at the track?

Do you prefer to be pressed to the fence on the apron? Dinning room? Up high in a box seat? Watching on a screen in the grandstand? Paddock dweller?

I probably log a couple miles because my routine is paddock, race over to place my bets and then push (nicely ) to be on the rail to watch and head back to the paddock after the race is called official. I always have to have the newspaper edition of the DRF no matter how badly it inks my hands or they raise the price.

[Oaklawnfan]

My routine envolves enjoying a delicious tray of raw oysters with horseradish, tabasco, worchestershire sauce and a side of soda crackers before a day of racing at Oaklawn Jockey Club, Hot Springs, Arkansas. Generally everyone leaves me alone after that and I can enjoy watching the majestic thoroughbreds from section M in the Grandstand uncontested. It probably doesn't improve my handicapping but it sure makes it more enjoyable.

[Danzig]

it depends. when we go to oaklawn, it's typically involving the carousel-and there's no reason to leave that spot! get the form, have a seat, enjoy the day. at some point i try to get trackside for a race, but for the most part we stay there.

elsewhere i try to cover as much of the place as possible while scrutinizing the form and placing bets.

people still go the track to bet horses? I use to go to SHRP all the time but with the convinience of online betting, TVG and HRTV I havent been there in years and most likely never go again.

[pweizer]

Originally Posted by helicopter11

people still go the track to bet horses? I use to go to SHRP all the time but with the convinience of online betting, TVG and HRTV I havent been there in years and most likely never go again.

You are really missing out.

Paul

[Bigsmc]

Originally Posted by helicopter11

people still go the track to bet horses? I use to go to SHRP all the time but with the convinience of online betting, TVG and HRTV I havent been there in years and most likely never go again.

You are really missing out. Convenience is not nearly as enjoyable for me. Nothing beats a day at the track. Nothing (in sports, that is).

Originally Posted by pweizer

You are really missing out.

Paul

Originally Posted by pweizer

You are really missing out.

Paul

I have attended races live many times and I really dont care for it but that is just me. Big days are even worse especially when you cant see the screen, people who dont know how to use the self betting machines and those that decide to handicap a race while in line. Not to mention overpriced food, drinks (cold hot dog and warm beer for 9 bucks).

With the price of admission, parking, racing form and premium seats, I am already down before I make my first bet.

[GPK]

Originally Posted by Cardus

I've never had a warm beer at the racetrack.

That seems like a throwaway line.

You've never been to Saratoga Harness then.

[herkhorse]

^^^^^^^^

probably drank all the cold ones himself

[GPK]

Originally Posted by herkhorse

^^^^^^^^

probably drank all the cold ones himself

No, but I did drink more than 1 warm one

[pweizer]

Originally Posted by helicopter11

I have attended races live many times and I really dont care for it but that is just me. Big days are even worse especially when you cant see the screen, people who dont know how to use the self betting machines and those that decide to handicap a race while in line. Not to mention overpriced food, drinks (cold hot dog and warm beer for 9 bucks).

With the price of admission, parking, racing form and premium seats, I am already down before I make my first bet.

I am not sure where you were going but do yourself a favor. Just once, go to Saratoga or Keeneland or Santa Anita or Del Mar. Go to the paddock. Watch the horses live (not on a screen). Even on a weekday, it is an amazing experience.

Paul

[Arletta]

Originally Posted by helicopter11

people still go the track to bet horses? I use to go to SHRP all the time but with the convinience of online betting, TVG and HRTV I havent been there in years and most likely never go again.

Same here.. Back in the 90's... I used to go armed with my folder and my highlighter, (usually alone) and my favorite spot was around those first few tables on the main floor right behind the first deli. Heck, we may have sat by one another, who knows

Now it's Delta Downs once every couple years

Originally Posted by pweizer

I am not sure where you were going but do yourself a favor. Just once, go to Saratoga or Keeneland or Santa Anita or Del Mar. Go to the paddock. Watch the horses live (not on a screen). Even on a weekday, it is an amazing experience.

Paul

I have been to Santa Anita and Del Mar a few times and walked through the paddock. I agree its great to see the horses live. I would love to visit Saratoga and Keeneland but as far as regular visits to the track to wager regularly...I will not do it. The convienience of online wagering won me over.

Originally Posted by Arletta

Same here.. Back in the 90's... I used to go armed with my folder and my highlighter, (usually alone) and my favorite spot was around those first few tables on the main floor right behind the first deli. Heck, we may have sat by one another, who knows

Now it's Delta Downs once every couple years

I live in Pearland now so driving to SHRP is too far to go every weekend. I am probably closer to the Gulf greyhound track but I dont go there either. SHRP use to be part of the NHC tour but not anymore so more reason not to go there.

[santana]

Originally Posted by helicopter11

I have attended races live many times and I really dont care for it but that is just me. Big days are even worse especially when you cant see the screen, people who dont know how to use the self betting machines and those that decide to handicap a race while in line. Not to mention overpriced food, drinks (cold hot dog and warm beer for 9 bucks).

With the price of admission, parking, racing form and premium seats, I am already down before I make my first bet.

I am right with you coptor man....Also a veteran of SHRP for many years, i would rather stay right here and bet from home.
Also went to Belmont Aquesduct and all the tracks alot of time over the years.......If i lived a couple of blocks away, that might be another story....But 30 minutes each way is a bit much, when betting almost everyday....

I haven't been to the track since late June. I believe it was the last Friday night for Churchill...or the one before last. Who knows. There were some uh...ladies of questionable morality there.

So a typical night in Louisville.

[3kings]

The closest thouroughbred track to me is Mountaineer. I would rather play from home than attend except for a few big race days. My opinion is completely different when it comes to other tracks like Saratoga, Arlington or even smaller tracks like Tampa, I go out of my way to visit if I'm in the area.

[jrajf]

I love going to the end of the Saratoga Grandstand. I ask for seats in a section that is near empty and ask for an isolated seat and if that isnt the case I buy three seats for the room.

Watching the turn into the stretch is an adreneline boost and with the recent bigscreen tvs you can pick up the rest of stretch run quite well.

I bet through my phone so no lines. The bathrooms are right there and if desired you can bring a small cooler with you.

Paradise

[Rudeboyelvis]

Some tracks do a great job of enhancing the on track experience, while other are still lost in the 80's and couldn't care less who shows up - if you're near one of the latter, then I would probably be echoing Helo's sentiment.

For example, I've had a blast at Arlington Park when visiting Chicago - beautiful facility, tons of fans, lots going on, etc. but something tells me (totally speculating based on what I've heard - I've never been there) that experience at Hawthorne in February might not exactly translate.

[OldDog]

Originally Posted by Sightseek

I probably log a couple miles because my routine is paddock, race over to place my bets and then push (nicely ) to be on the rail to watch and head back to the paddock after the race is called official.

I can relate to this, particularly at Keeneland. Big race days are challenging for this method, though. I nearly always walk through a few of the barns while I'm there, too.

Back in February I enjoyed a day at TBD, and varied it a little, alternating between watching from the apron and upstairs in the shade when the sun was too hot. It was terrific.