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#1
10-17-2012, 10:48 AM
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Of these 4 tracks I have never visited...
... please prioritize them for me. I'd like to plan a trip for next year to one of the following:
Oaklawn Keeneland Del Mar Santa Anita Which is most worthy to visit first (since it might be the only opportunity I get). Base your answers on the track and racing experience only. I already know it's hard to top San Diego as an overall destination  .
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#2
10-17-2012, 10:53 AM
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I have only not been to Oaklawn but I would probably say Keeneland as a horse racing fan and Del Mar as a people fan. Santa Anita at the BC was awesome the two years I did it but not sure how it is non BC.
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#3
10-17-2012, 11:08 AM
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2) Keeneland 3) Del Mar 4) Oaklawn
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#4
10-17-2012, 11:13 AM
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There are no losers in this group and I've been to all except Del Mar, but if I had to prioritze it would go like this:
1) Keeneland---started the day in the track kitchen, then watching workouts. Took a brief ride around the surrounding farms before the races started and then watched Casablanca Smile take the Dowager. Overall fantastic experience. Pure horse country at its' finest. 2) Oaklawn Park---entire town revolves around the track. Saw the Arkansas Derby here many years ago. Super crowds and hospitality. Only negative is no grass racing. 3) Del Mar---on my list to get to. Looks gorgeous on TV and the crowd and climate just can't be overated. 4) Santa Anita---going to the BC this year but have been here a couple of times for regular racing. Nice place and scenery but would have to be 4th of this group in my opinion. You can't lose with any choice you make............ 
__________________
A racehorse is an animal that can take several thousand people for a ride at the same time. ~Author Unknown
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#5
10-17-2012, 11:16 AM
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The best part about Keeneland is the library.
A lot of nice looking and tastefully dressed college girls as well. Not a fan of the food to the point where I would eat at the track kitchen instead of at the track. I've never been compelled to visit Southern California or Arkansas.
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#6
10-17-2012, 11:21 AM
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__________________
A racehorse is an animal that can take several thousand people for a ride at the same time. ~Author Unknown
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#7
10-17-2012, 03:39 PM
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1. Keeneland 2. Del Mar 3. Santa Anita Never been to Oaklawn.
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#8
10-17-2012, 04:01 PM
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I was way more interested in the library when I was there. It's worth the trip for that alone. Old DRF chart books are all over in there. Lots of great books and great material just in those cabinet things.
The racing atmosphere was obviously good and the ivy and all of that is a cool touch -- but there was a pretentious element to it. The applause after every single race as the horses come back, the fact that burgoo is served everywhere but a lot of logical foods that are found at other tracks aren't and the ones that are were rubbish. A lot of young and well-dressed people who are only there for the social aspects.
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#11
10-17-2012, 06:38 PM
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I don't get the Keeneland hype... at all. Never have. It's beautiful and well done, but you better be there on a halfway warm, partly sunny day because if it's windy, dark, cold and rainy, it's miserable.
Of the 4 offered, Santa Anita to me is by far the most glorious with one of the most spectacular backdrop in sports. I'd put Keeneland behind it and Oaklawn ahead of Del Mar..
__________________
All ambitions are lawful except those which climb upward on the miseries or credulities of mankind. ~ Joseph Conrad A long habit of not thinking a thing wrong, gives it a superficial appearance of being right. ~ Thomas Paine Don't let anyone tell you that your dreams can't come true. They are only afraid that theirs won't and yours will. ~ Robert Evans
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#12
10-17-2012, 06:54 PM
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Been to Keeneland, Santa Anita and Delmar and never had the desire to go to Oaklawn. Keeneland seemed a bit "stuffy' to me and I agree with Steve, SA is striking when the smog does not engulf the mountains. Del Mar is Del Mar ...pretty women, nice view of the ocean while the races are running .....and pretty women. So may order is......Santa Anita
Del mar Keeneland Oaklawn
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#13
10-17-2012, 07:08 PM
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#14
10-17-2012, 07:08 PM
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 saying that.
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#15
10-17-2012, 07:14 PM
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#16
10-17-2012, 07:30 PM
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#17
10-17-2012, 07:39 PM
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People show up for the races at Oaklawn for the sake of the racing -- at Keeneland it's a little more about "being seen" and it is super crowded.
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#18
10-17-2012, 07:52 PM
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__________________
All ambitions are lawful except those which climb upward on the miseries or credulities of mankind. ~ Joseph Conrad A long habit of not thinking a thing wrong, gives it a superficial appearance of being right. ~ Thomas Paine Don't let anyone tell you that your dreams can't come true. They are only afraid that theirs won't and yours will. ~ Robert Evans
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#19
10-17-2012, 08:01 PM
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__________________
All ambitions are lawful except those which climb upward on the miseries or credulities of mankind. ~ Joseph Conrad A long habit of not thinking a thing wrong, gives it a superficial appearance of being right. ~ Thomas Paine Don't let anyone tell you that your dreams can't come true. They are only afraid that theirs won't and yours will. ~ Robert Evans
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#20
10-17-2012, 08:48 PM
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Oaklawn can be pretty cold and miserable at the beginning of the season too. I think it was year before last that they closed the track on President's Day after about the 3rd race because the track was frozen. Not unusual at all to have snow or worse an ice storm around opening day. End of the season, just the opposite. Everything green, azaleas blooming, trees in the infield blooming (apple blossoms?). Definitely recommend visiting later in the race meet.
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