Tracks Visited

[JimG]

The Derby List started a subject of people telling what tracks they have visited in their life so far. The following is my list:

Charles Town: The first for me still holds a special place.

Shenandoah Downs: Now a training track

Laurel

Pimlico: Preakness only...what a zoo!

Bowie: Now defunct

Fairmount Park: On business 1 time, caught a closers bias and won.

Turfway: For simulcasting only between flight delay at Cincinnati.

Tampa Bay Downs: Nice track...used to live in the area..never had much luck there.

Birmingham: There opening night many years ago. Now its a dog track.

Colonial Downs: My home track, until it goes belly-up.


JimG

[JimH]

My list:

Great Barrington (1979): the "Belmont of the Berkshires"; it has closed and reopened a couple times and I have no idea what the situation is now, but it was the first track I ever visited

Aqueduct-Cash Assmussen won five on the card my first time there

Belmont Park-Been there a few times

Saratoga-A couple visits, nice track but the ride there is kinda boring

Philadelphia Park-Been there about 60 times, the first was right after they changed their name from Keystone to Philly Park

Monmouth Park-My personal favorite and the summer base for my horses

Meadowlands-Greatest harness track in the world and they're not bashful about promoting that fact during the thoroughbred meet

Finger Lakes-A must visit if you're in the Rochester area for another reason, but NOT a reason in itself to go to Rochester

Garden State-I miss it

Atlantic City-Only went after they gutted the place and switched to two-week turf-only meets; I hear it was a showplace once upon a time

Laurel-Bad, although if it were summertime and not February when I went, maybe I'd have liked it better

Pimlico-Worse, can't even make an excuse for the time of year since it was May

Delaware Park-Paddock that rivals Saratoga; lots of elbow room (since attendance isn't much); good sightlines; nicest employees (as a group) of any track I've visited

Evangeline-Ugh, not on my return visit list

Calder-Only problem which wasn't beyond their control is that their mutuel clerks are the pits--ABSOLUTE WORST! They can't control the temperature being in the 100's all the time, or the fact that it rains almost every day (I was there for 4 days in August and didn't see a single turf race)

Charles Town- Been there twice and enjoyed my visits, and will go back again

[ranchwest]

Santa Anita: The most beautiful track I've seen, great racing. The mountains are gorgeous.

Hollywood: Really nice, loved it. The friend who I went with had a box. Got to see Whittingham and others.

Delta Downs: Been there many, many times since it opened (1973?), always interesting. Haven't been there for live racing in a while, not since it went through several ownership changes. I saw some unbelievable things there. Truly unbelievable. This is where the famous fog jockey race was run.

Evangeline: Never was too good at handicapping there, but the last time I was there, a horse who had run at SA ran there and won me some money. Many, many leading jockeys started at this track and/or hail from the area.

Trinity Meadows: The track is now closed, but it had a pleasant atmosphere. The live racing wasn't very good.

Lone Star Park: My current "home" track. It is very nice, sometimes I think too nice. The racing is excellent. This spring, I caught a horse who looked great to me and paid $59+!

Louisiana Downs: I really like LaD. The racing is good, consistent. The atmosphere is pleasant.

Fair Ground: The racing is good, the atmosphere is very New Orleans, if you like that, which basically I do. The neighborhood is not too good.

[PaceAdvantage]

My list:

The now gutted Roosevelt Raceway (harness...my first taste of racehorses of any persuasion)

Belmont -- probably my personal favorite of the NYRA tracks

Aqueduct -- Not as bad as people make it out to be...

Suffolk Downs -- Where I received my bachelor's in handicapping

Rockingham Park -- went there once

Saratoga -- great track, great town

Meadowlands -- very sterile


plus a couple of dog tracks.....LOL


As you can see, I don't get out much..... ;)

AQU
MED
SAR
WO
TDN
BEU
TP
KEE (my favorite so far)
TAM
GP
SA
CD
MON

[sq764]

What does everyone think of Charlestown? Is it worth the trip? My fiancee and I live about 3 hours away and thought about just going there for a night (she loves slots, so I have to plan my track trips around that..)

[JimG]

Originally posted by sq764
What does everyone think of Charlestown? Is it worth the trip? My fiancee and I live about 3 hours away and thought about just going there for a night (she loves slots, so I have to plan my track trips around that..)




Definitely worth the trip! I recommend you stay at the Turf Motel which is located within walking distance of the track/casino.

It has changed alot asthetically since going there constantly from 1966-1973. However, betting the track is about the same. Since the track is a bullring you want to have inside speed. Also, certain Trainers/Jockeys do real well there. Pay attention to the standings for jockeys/trainers. Dunkleberger is usually live on whatever he rides.

JimG

PS: I've also visted Delaware Park which I found to be nice although I don't remember winning .

[sq764]

Thanks, we will probably make the trip.. We have a free hotel night at a Comfort Suites, and there is one in 'Martinsburg', which says its about 6 miles away..

Regarding Delaware Park, we live about 10 minutes from there.. I like it, love the OTB. Since we have been going several times a week for a couple of year, we know everyone and they are very courteous, and more importantly, they make sure my beer is full at all times..

[syyamo]

This post trigger a thought: I suspect most play today is off-track: that is OTB's, or in my case, the local dog tracks. Does anyone know of a site and/or post that list simulcasting facilities?

I travel a bit and one particular time I was in Pleasanton, CA and remembered in a Jim Quinn book a discussion about this site. I tried to find it in the phone book without any luck. Eventually I stumbled across it and it was closed for the day.

[superfecta]

Lets see...
I have been to
Sam houston -won money at that track,just never in person(once won a turf race on my last 4 bucks,litterally,and walked out of RP with over 400.)
Lone Star-won a trifecta on a Remington race,(could have just stayed home!)
Fair Meadows at Tulsa-tuff little bullring,only won a race cause I noticed very few jocks won,most of them didn't even get ITM.
Sallisaw-for some reason it just didn't strike me as a real racetrack,kinda slimy to be truthful.
Remington Park-my home track,so good I named my kid after it!

[smf]

The first "track" I ever went to was a tiny bullring named Ross Downs in Colleyville, Tx in 1987. No pari mutuel wagers were allowed here at the time. However, the "owners and trainers" exchanged a ton of cash throughout the day even tho there were signs made of cardboard, gun-stapled to wooden fenceposts around the track that read "no betting allowed".

Some of the "horsemen" w/ walk into the "bleachers" (that held maybe 100 people at best--kinda like a little league football fields seating) and try to drum up bets w/ their buddies. The jocks wore blue jeans and t-shirts, or "cowboy shirts" w/ snaps in lieu of buttons.

The friend I went there with was from Hot Springs Ark and said I needed to see the "real thing". A week or 2 later a few of us went to Oaklawn. I went up there once a year for a few yrs in a row.

Only other track I've been to is LS. In all honesty, I won't go back to OP. The mutuel clerks there are/ were ridiculously rude as opposed to Lone Star.

Only other tracks I WANT to go to are Delaware Park and the Fairgrounds.

Ross Downs is now a suburban subdivision. That experience of watching money change hands convinces me that even w/o "our money" (the bettors), racing w/ go on w/o "us". The trainers/ owners are in it for different reasons but most love the game (and betting their runners).

[Tom]

Originally posted by PaceAdvantage
My list:



....plus a couple of dog tracks.....LOL




You've been to Finger Lakes? ~G~

My tracks:

Sar
FL
FE
WO
Det
Beu
Pha
Pen
Commadore (Eire)
Pim
Lrl
(Drove by Suffolk a few times - never time to stop)

Harness:
Batavia
Liberty Bell
Vernon

Best track for actully viewing a race - Finger Lakes, hands down. The don't have bushes and trees blocking the view (Can't afford 'em)
Worst for watching races - Saratoga, hands down.
Most comfortable track, Fort Erie.
Best simulcasting - Penn.
Best benches on the rail - Pha.
Best hot dogs - Batavia Downs.

Tom

[sq764]

Here's my opinion:

Best track for actully viewing a race - Woodbine (turf races are right under you)
Worst for watching races - Saratoga, hands down. (agreed)
Most comfortable track, Pocono Downs (You can count the crowd).
Best simulcasting - Meadowlands
Best benches on the rail - Pha. (And best place to sit in the picnic are with your cooler full of beer)
Best hot dogs - Don't like hotdogs, so I will take your word for it..

Worst Track ever - Saratoga Harness.. (I thought I was in a Sopranos episode with some of the fat slobs there)

[Dave Schwartz]

This is a good thread. Brings back fond memories.


First Track: Gulfstream Park, the most beautiful track in the country. (At least in my limited experience.)

Other Tracks:

Hialeah - The most over-rated for beauty

Tropical (long closed) - Had great hotdogs (I was 14)
Calder - I went to school across the turnpike

Hollywood - Greate reserved seats by the finish line

Santa Anita - Loved those Clydesdales.

Delmar - The horn player makes the day

Pomona (now Fairplex) - Not much to recommend

Hawthorne (or was it the one next door?) - It was a simulcast. I recall that the company was great... a bunch of Chicago horse players. I must admit that I miss them. Had the worst public handicapping day of my life.

Monmouth - Racing's equivilent of Fenway Park. Had 2 trackside private boxes (8 people each) for a phenomenal $50 TOTAL! (And that included admission to the turf club, programs and parking!) Had the day of my handicapping life... 8-9, 3 one-way exactas.

Aqueduct - Only once and I barely recall it.


Regards,
Dave Schwartz

[andicap]

Trots
Yonkers and Roosevelt RR -- Grew up there. My first love was the trotters and those great 1/2 mile tracks. When I was kid you could actually hit a 6-1 shot. Sold my first article on the trotters to American Turf Monthly 20 years ago. Some cockeyed system I backfitted and they paid me $100. Tells you all you need to know about that pub!

Vernon Downs -- Ramschacle homey track in Rome, NY.
Monticello -- Very nice, but $2,500 purses and as crooked as the day is long.
Saratoga harness -- My dad and I would go to Saratoga during the day and harness at night! Beautiful track.
Sportsman -- Assume it's unbelievably crooked

Flats.
Saratoga -- I don't even watch the races "live" anymore. Sit in the backyard, relax with my cooler and lawnchair and bet. Best looking women I've ever seen at a track (but never been to Del Mar)

Belmont-- Tough to win and depressing as hell nowadays with 6,000 people rattling around a track built for 60,000. Take my daughter to the backyard now.

Aqueduct -- Don't go anymore but a real old-fashioned factory type of track. They've tried to dress it up a bit in recent years but no one's fooled. They get 6,000 on a good day. 4,000 a lot more often. And the same people go every day.

Monmouth -- Absolutely gorgeous.

Woodbine -- nice track. I remember winning on the simulcast but not live. Very very nice people those Canadians.

Balmoral -- fun to watch, hard to win bullring outside of Chicago. Assume it's incredibly crooked.

Arlington -- Beautiful track, just a nick below Monmouth. Hard to get to because of awful traffic in Chicago.

Churchill -- Another very well run track. There for Breeders Cup a while back and it was impeccably run. Very pretty as well. I like betting it too because you get prices.

Hollywood -- Nice looking and fun. People were nice and I won there.

Philly Park -- a real factory in the worst way. But I'd rather spend a day at the worst track in the world than the best mall.

Meadowlands -- Great simulcast facilities.


Reminds me how many other tracks I have yet to get to.

[JimH]

Best Track for Race-Watching: Charles Town (ever had dirt fly up and hit you as you stood at the rail??)

Worst Tracks for Race-Watching: Saratoga (trees block the view) and Belmont (backstretch is in another country or so it seems)

Best Simulcasting: Philly

Most accomodating track (as I'm an owner): Monmouth

Track where I've had my best betting day ever: Meadowlands

Track which was the place of my all-time single favorite racetrack experience which didn't involve a winning bet or being in a race as an owner: Philadelphia :)

[Dave Schwartz]

Andicap,

I forgot the trots!

One summer my dad and I worked as waiters at the Concord in the Catskills. He took me to Monticello and I won about $60. Couldn't wait to go back. The next two trips straightend out my understanding of how tough the game can be. I was about 14.

And don't foget the dog races at Flagler, Biscayne and ... I don't remember the other one. I love to watch those dogs run around the track.


Dave

[mikekk]

Might as well get into this one; it's sure been fun to read.

Exhibition Park (now Hastings) - where I got addicted to this wonderful game

Longacres - where I found out what a real stretch looked like

Sackville Downs - a little (and I do mean little) harness track in Nova Scotia where I bet $20 to win on a 25-1 shot with 2 minutes to go and watched in horror as the odds dropped to 1-5 (there was less than $100 in the win pool) (it lost)

Woodbine - where I first saw really good horses

Fort Erie - where I really enjoyed myself

Gulfstream - by far the most beautiful track I've ever seen

Saratoga - it was like an audience with the Pope

Sandown - a little track on Vancouver Island with a 3-week meet in the late fall where the Big Race was the Yellow Ribbon. ($15k for non-winners-for-the-year)

Bay Meadows - where I heard 3 wiseguys talking up a horse that had finished 2nd in the Yellow Ribbon ("Sandown? That's in England, right?") It made me understand the term "edge".

Golden Gate Fields - where speed doth rule

Pleasanton - where I discovered that form doesn't carry to fairs.

Portland Meadows - it was rainy, I was miserable.

Santa Anita - where me and a buddy hit the last race tri at the Breeders Cup and had to go visit Mr. IRS. (He was nice; we showed him our return air tickets back to Canada and he let us escape with the whole nine yards)

I wanna see Delmar, Keeneland and Fairgrounds before I die

Mikekk

[Bob Harris]

Ok guys, surely I'm not the only poster here who's going to admit to having been to Aqua Caliente??

Who can ever forget dodging the pot-holes and taxi drivers as you slowly made your way thru the dust and exhaust of Avenida Revolucion?

Who can ever forget paying the occasional $20 "fine" to one of Tijuana's finest because "your registration didn't look right" and your only other choice was "sorting it out down at the station" ?

Who can ever forget the green hot dogs? I mean the concession prices were great, but they were GREEN!!!

[anotherdave]

Well I am not that travelled. Almost all of mine were in Canada. I play mostly California, New York (but have never been there), and Woodbine, and Hastings (closest to home).


Have been to Woodbine in Toronto, Hastings in Vancouver (I like the short stretch, believe it or not), Assiniboia in Winnipeg, Northlands in Edmonton, Stampede Park in Calgary, and as a kid - Queensbury Downs in Regina and Marquis Downs in Saskatoon (I hear the chuckles!) All bullrings (1/2 - 13/16)

Only U.S. track - Longacres

will make it to Churchill one of these years!

But then there are the unbelievably tiny tracks. My favourite:

Can you believe Moose Jaw (now Saskatoon doesn't look so bad!) They didn't have machines. They had pre-printed tickets. After the first half of the daily double you exchanged your winning ticket for the second half - I'd like that actually. My father still has the clipping from the local paper when he had the only winning ticket on the daily double - $629! The cool thing was you could pull your car up to the rail and watch the races from your car!

And the food was good.

And now I bet from my computer? Gotta go on a road trip soon.

[Tom]

With YouBet functional very well these days, I will be visiting a lot of tracks (on my computer screen)
If only they could pipe in the smell of hot dogs cooking and horse s**t, it wold be just be being there. ~G~

This trip down memory lane reminds me of a joke i read somewhere. Two guys were at the simulcast facitlity, doping out some trcks when the National Anthem comes on the Aqu screen. The one guys dops his pencil and stands at attention untiul the music is over, then goes back his handicapping. A few minutes later, the Anthem comes on the Laurel screen and he once again stops, stands at attention, then sits back down when it is over.
Shortly, the Anthem once again comes on, this time on the Calder screen. He jsut keeps workin gon the races and ignores it. His buddy says,"Hey Walter, they're playing the National Anthem...aren't you going to stand up?"
Walter replies, "Nope. I'm not playing Calder today!"

Tom

[Jay Trotter]

I was searching for something else and came across this thread from the grave. Might be interesting to revive it and to see if the original posters have added any tracks to their list.


My Tracks:

Assiniboia Downs -- home track

Marquis Downs -- hit the trifecta here on the last day of our honeymoon to buy our first ever TV. Good times!

Northlands Park -- lived in Edmonton for a couple years.

Stampede Park -- been there but can't recall if their was any racing at the time.

Hastings -- tried to all ass there back in the day to take my shot at a 1.2 Million Pick 6 carryover (going from memory). Didn't get there in time.

Woodbine -- first major league track visited.

Fort Erie -- the prettiest infield I've ever seen.

Canterbury Park -- a beautiful track if ever their was one.

Arlington Park -- enjoyed a very nice summer day here!

Emerald Park -- tried to get in there to watch some simulcasting but it was locked up tighter than a drum (guess this one doesn't count)


Harness Tracks:

Sandown -- small track on Vancouver Island

Fraser Downs -- nice facility near Vancouver with excellent simulcasting.


In looking over my list I just realized a really am a "hick from the sticks"! :faint:

[FiveWide]

Mainly TX tracks since Dallas is my home.

Trinity Meadows - first ever bull ring track but doesn't exist anymore.
Sam Houston - was there once when it first opened. I was impressed. Saw some cops take down a man with a knife at a gas station on the way too!
Lone Star - home track and been many times
Retama - was there several times when it first opened. I should go see what it's like nowadays.
Churchill - I just had to go. Took me forever to find and remember winding up in a very bad neighborhood looking for it.
Louisiana Downs - was there before they got slots.
Turf Paradise - watched some races from outside the fence. Never actually went inside.
Del Mar - drove into the parking lot to check it out while I was visiting San Diego. They weren't running live at the time.
Beulah - went there with a trainer and don't remember much. Only saw the backside part of it.
Oaklawn - will be going sometime for the 2011 meet. Hopefully in a couple weeks.
Fairgrounds - never been but plan on going in 2011 too!


-Five

[tbwinner]

I've only been to a few, but have had great experiences at all!

Arlington Park - My home track, great place to spend the summer, small fields and polytrack can get a little old and tiring to handicap but overall great atmosphere

Hawthorne - You can't get closer to "true" horse racing than this; that's what they offer and everyone loves it there. Not the greatest facility; SAM machines from the 80s, but efficient tellers (and nice staff in the Horseman's Office)

Churchill Downs - Went there November 2010 for 1st time, liked the big track atmosphere, dirt/turf racing very good and made some good money during the trip.

Keeneland - Went during the October '10 meet (had a horse running), the open-air paddock, high-quality/full-field races, and good value/prices makes this the best track I've ever been to.

Hoosier Park - Small facility, most of it is the casino. Love the quarterhorse races you can watch from the simulcast area that sweep across your view from start to finish. Perfect view of entire race, no trees/shrubbery to block the view. Good track and quality purses.

Plan to visit Tampa or Gulfstream, Churchill and Keeneland again this year! Maybe Prairie Meadows too.

[Zman179]

I've been to a whole bunch of tracks in many countries, so please pardon me if I don't name them all. Here's my favorites:

Most scenic tracks:
Santa Anita - the view of the San Gabriel Mountains is breathtaking
Hippodrome d'Auteuil - offers some really nice views of Paris and the Eiffel Tower from the grandstand

Most "industrial" tracks:
Aqueduct - a racing factory if there ever was one
Hippodrome de Maisons-Laffitte - Europe's version of Hawthorne with smokestacks in the background

Most interesting set-up:
Sandown Park (UK) - The train station is on the backstretch. To get to the grandstand, you don't walk around the track...you walk ON it crossing the course and the infield! The only experience I've ever had in which you'd better be damn sure that there isn't a race going on when you're walking.

Most interesting welcomes:
Lingfield Park (UK) - I visited the track during a Foot & Mouth (animal) disease outbreak. In order to enter the stands you had to have your boots/shoes washed first by the attendants.
Caliente, Mexico - literally on the leaky roof circuit with a huge, gaping hole through the roof. Also had potholes on the track apron, panhandling children and the infield had tigers, lions and other wild animals. Michael Wrona calling the Caliente races only added to the surreal atmosphere.

Most empty racetrack award:
Monticello Raceway - I've gone to the races in which fewer than 20 people were watching the races in the stands & on the apron combined.

Fun racing experiences:
Northampton (defunct) and Timonium - there's nothing like bullring fair racing for an enjoyable experience.

[cj's dad]

T'breds:

Laurel Park - nice track-easy access -nice people
Pimlico - 2nd floor of the grandstand is nice - avoid all other locations and rent a Humvee when leaving the 'hood.
Timonium - fun place to be in the summertime
Charlestown- if you are playing the horses you are a 3rd class citizen - avoid at all costs
Meadowlands - concrete heaven - hated it
Garden State- very nice track - was there one time and enjoyed it.
Delaware Park- Excellent all the way around- very nice tellers and others
Gulfstream Park - very nice in '98 - had a good time, but have read that it is now not very user friendly
Belmont Park - Very nice track which takes a bit getting used to the size.
Saratoga - It's Toga - what else can I say
Colonial Downs - in the middle of nowhere and the dumbest tellers anywhere.
Fairgrounds - it's in New Orleans -'nuff said
Oaklawn Park- great folks working everywhere; great staff, much to do later
Keeneland - probably the best setting for a track in N.A.
Churchill Downs - history in a bad neighborhood.
Hollywood Park - see above
Santa Anita - scenic view of the San Gabriel mountains and a great place to watch a race.
Turf Paradise - in the desert; bad horses but nice people

Trotters:
Rosecroft - a dump
Ocean Downs - see above
Freehold - Slightly better than "see above"

[cj]

T'breds:

yada, yada yada

I can not believe you left out Hippodrome de Wallonie a Mons.

[cj's dad]

I can not believe you left out Hippodrome de Wallonie a Mons.

I was in friggin Europe - I hardly can spell Belljum

[cj]

How about a short one...tracks I've visited which no longer exist.

Bowie
Trinity Meadows
Birmingham
Blue Ribbon
FreeState
Liberty Bell
Brandywine
Garden State

I'm sure there are others but these I remember right away.

[Zman179]

How about a short one...tracks I've visited which no longer exist.

Bowie
Trinity Meadows
Birmingham
Blue Ribbon
FreeState
Liberty Bell
Brandywine
Garden State

I'm sure there are others but these I remember right away.

My dead list would be Roosevelt, Suffolk Meadows, Northampton, Great Barrington, Garden State, Plainfield Greyhound, Wonderland, Raynham/Taunton, Montreal (Blue Bonnets), Aylmer (Connaught) and Walthamstow Dogs (UK).

[cj's dad]

My dead list would be Roosevelt, Suffolk Meadows, Northampton, Great Barrington, Garden State, Plainfield Greyhound, Wonderland, Raynham/Taunton, Montreal (Blue Bonnets), Aylmer (Connaught) and Walthamstow Dogs (UK).

Wadda r U ? 80

[fmolf]

saratoga
belmont
aqueduct
roosevelt
yonkers
meadowlands(t-breds & harness)
saratoga harness
philly park
pocono downs

[Zman179]

Wadda r U ? 80

Half that.

[cj]

My dead list would be Roosevelt, Suffolk Meadows, Northampton, Great Barrington, Garden State, Plainfield Greyhound, Wonderland, Raynham/Taunton, Montreal (Blue Bonnets), Aylmer (Connaught) and Walthamstow Dogs (UK).

I've been to Wonderland, just didn't want to admit it.

[RunForTheRoses]

Roosevelt-1/2 mile heaven (well not really, had decent Tequila Sunrises)
Aqueduct
Belmont
Saratoga
Parr Meadows-Yaphank, Long Island, went with family mid/late 70s, East Coast Quarter Horses
Saratoga Harness-Bunch of odds on horses mysteriously broke behind the gate but no recall ca. 1982
Monmouth-Worked here as teller
Meadowlands-Occasionally worked here too
Garden State
Feeehold
Atlantic City
Monticello
Keystone in the 70s on family vacation, then Philly Park, haven't been to Parx
Pimlico-Worked the Preakness half dozen times starting in 99
Sportsman's Park-Hit this 5/8ths track during a brief stay
Del Mar-On vacation in 2009, wonderful
Delaware
To Do list-Most certainly Keeneland...Arlington (though I hate the Polycrap...Santa Anita if they lower the take out...Churchill

[Stillriledup]

I've been to 40 or 50, too many to name.

[Overlay]

Thoroughbred:

River Downs
Turfway Park
Churchill Downs
Keeneland
Ellis Park
Arlington Park
Hawthorne
Balmoral Park
Sportsman's Park
Cahokia Downs
Aqueduct
Belmont Park
Monmouth Park
Calder Race Course
Penn National
Santa Anita
Hollywood Park
Bay Meadows
Delaware Park
The Meadowlands

Standardbred:

Raceway Park
The Red Mile
Louisville Downs
Freehold Raceway
Blue Bonnets (Montreal)
Yonkers Raceway
Roosevelt Raceway
Los Alamitos
Maywood Park
Quad City Downs

[Cardus]

I've been to Wonderland, just didn't want to admit it.

Are you kidding? I don't know when you went to Wonderland, but that track was sensational by greyhound racing standards! It was a palace in the early 90s. Great racing there, energetic crowd, and a huge indoor clubhouse area.

I loved going to Wonderland.

[Ocala Mike]

Also too many to name. Some interesting ones on my "dead" list would be:

Parr Meadows (1977)/later reincarnated as Suffolk Meadows (1986)
Narragansett (1968)
Rockingham (1968)
Jamaica (late 50's, but wasn't allowed in; watched the races from the street)
Old Belmont (same as above, but got in once or twice as a minor, and remember the old Widener chute)
Ak-Sar-Ben
Columbus (think it's "dead"; not sure)
Green Mountain
Scarborough Downs
Goshen (Harness; worked there for NY State for the last pari-mutuel meeting in 1978)

Ocala Mike

[KidCapper]

My home track-- Fonner Park

Others-- Woodlands
Columbus
Aksarben-- Sad story...it's demise....
Horsemen's Park


Track I've been to and lived to tell the story....Detroit Race Course.

[NTamm1215]

Aqueduct
Belmont
Saratoga
Philly Park
Monmouth
Pimlico
Gulfstream
Fair Grounds
Louisiana Downs
Oaklawn
Sam Houston
Lone Star
Manor Downs
Trinity Meadows
Turf Paradise
Santa Anita
Arapahoe
Del Mar

Dogs:

Gulf Greyhound Park
Phoenix Greyhound
Hollywood

International:

Ippodromo Capannelle (Rome)

[levinmpa]

In the order my first visit to each track.

Santa Rosa
Solano (Vallejo)
Golden Gate Fields (I saw the great John Henry win the '84 GG Handicap)
Bay Meadows
Pleasanton
Del Mar
Santa Anita (I saw Bates Motel win the '83 Big Cap)
Los Alamitos
Hollywood Park
Fresno
Pomona(Fairplex)
Sacramento(Cal Expo)
Hawthorne
Sportsman's Park
Aqueduct
Pimilico
Delaware Park
Philadelphia Park
Penn National
Belmont Park
Monmouth Park
Atlantic City
Charles Town
Turfway Park
Beaulah Park
Garden State Park
Laurel
Rockingham Park
Suffolk Downs (I saw Cigar win the '96 Mass Cap)
Timonium

Stopped by when live racing was not taking place:
Aksarben
Bowie
Thistledown

Hope to visit someday
Hialeah Park
Churchill Downs
Saratoga
Keeneland
Arlington Park
Oaklawn Park
Flemington (Australia)

[appistappis]

great thread....I've been to too many to list but two that haven't been mentioned yet are greenwood racetrack (old woodbine) where I cut my teeth and a place I suspect no one here has or ever will make it to, the racetrack on the island of nevis. To get there from my home at the time on st kitts island, I took a taxi, then a ferry, then a bus, then a cart pulled by oxen. When we got there we found out there was three races, 2 with 3 horses and one with 2 horses.

[cj]

Are you kidding? I don't know when you went to Wonderland, but that track was sensational by greyhound racing standards! It was a palace in the early 90s. Great racing there, energetic crowd, and a huge indoor clubhouse area.

I loved going to Wonderland.

I can tell you exactly when I went. Suffolk re-opened I believe on January 1st, 1992, and it was the next day. This reminds me I've been to Cloverleaf too, which I believe is also closed.

[Track Collector]

OK you "knew" I had to post on THIS thread. ;)

No record here, and I limit my list to US/Canadian Thoroughbred and QH tracks:

AZ --> Turf Paradise, Rillito, Yavapai, Duncan, Safford, Douglas, Sonoita, Flagstaff, Saint John
AK --> Oaklawn
CA --> Santa Anita, Del Mar, Solano, Ferndale, Los Alamitos, Frenso, Bay Meadows (Fair), Fairplex
DE --> Delaware Park
FL --> Gulfstream, Calder, Hialeah, Tampa Bay
ID --> Boise, Sandy Downs, Rupert Downs
IL --> Hawthorne, Arlington Park, Fairmount Park
IN --> Indiana Downs, Hoosier Park
IA --> Prairie Meadows
KS --> Anthony Downs
KY --> Churchill, Keeneland, Ellis Park
LA --> Delta Downs, Fair Grounds
MD --> Laurel, Pimlico, Timonium, Bowie, Marboro
MA --> Northampton, Great Barrington, Brockton
MI --> Great Lakes Downs, Mount Pleasant Meadows
MN --> Canterbury
MT --> Missoula, Great Falls, Kalispell
NE --> Fonner Park, Lincoln, Columbus, Atokad
NV --> Ely (a.k.a. White Pine Raceway)
NH --> Rockingham Park
NJ --> Monmouth, Garden State, Atlantic City, Meadowlands
NM --> Albuquerque, Sunland
NY --> Aqueduct, Belmont, Saratoga, Finger Lakes
ND --> North Dakota Horse Park, Chippewa Downs
OH --> Thistledown, River Downs, Beulah, Van Wert
OK --> Remington Park, Fair Meadows Tulsa, Will Rodgers Downs, Blue Ribbon Downs
OR --> Portland Meadows, Grants Pass, Tillamook, Prineville, Union
PA --> Philadelphia Park, Penn National, Presque Isle Downs
SD --> Fort Pierre, Brown County Fair
TX --> Sam Houston, Retama, Manor Downs
VA --> Colonial Downs
WA --> Emerald Downs, Walla Walla, Waitsburg, Dayton, Sun Downs
WV --> Charles Town, Mountaineer
Canada --> Woodbine, Fort Erie, Assinoboia, Northands Park, Stampede Park, Hastings, Lethbridge, Grand Prairie, Kin Park

Favorite All-Time Track --> Northampton Fair (Has not run since 2005).
Current Most-Favorite Track --> Prineville, Oregon
Most Unique --> Anthony Fair (1/2 mile horse track with inside 1/4 mile dog track.). They alternate horse and dog races. Also Van Wert Fair. They run harness races during the fair week around Labor Day, but each Labor Day Monday they run a day of thoroughbreds. Wagering is parimutuel, but without past performance data available.

NOTE TO OTHERS: Please continue to share your tracks visited and comments, no matter how large or small the list is. Maybe some of the very small tracks above will peak your interest and lead to a memorable visit and experience. :jump:

[proximity]

finally got to visit a "new" track last week parx and although there was no live racing going on, i came away quite impressed. the cocktail waitresses there were absolutely amazing (apparently there is a calendar?) while the poker was pretty amazing too... although this didn't stop me from losing. had aces cracked vs a villain who capped the preflop betting with q-2. (the flop came k-q-2):rolleyes:
i did knock a "professional" out of the game though who was playing every hand and rebuying every 30 minutes but felt free to let me know how i screwed up on every pot i was in......

other favorite tracks to visit: ct, del, tim...

[PaceAdvantage]

I've been to Wonderland, just didn't want to admit it.Hell, I used to practically live at Wonderland... :lol:

[cj]

Hell, I used to practically live at Wonderland... :lol:

Garden State was my home. It was a great first date too. Now second dates were pushing it, and third was usually the last time I ever heard from them.

Maybe had I waited a week....

[CBedo]

I'm sure I'll miss a few but here's a quick list off the top of my head. I feel like there might have been a couple small tracks in North Texas/Southern Oklahoma that I'm forgetting, but nothing is coming to me.

Delta Downs
Evangeline
Aksarben
Atokad
Trinity Meadows
Ruidoso
Sunland
Louisiana Downs
Lone Star Park
Remington Park
Manor Downs
Retama
Blue Ribbon Downs
Santa Anita
Del Mar
Hollywood
Golden Gates
Bay Meadows
Gulfstream Park
Calder
Pinnacle
Churchill Downs
Keeneland
Fairgrounds
Turf Paradise

Also, a small fair track in Hurricane Utah, but not when horses were running.

[offtrack]

I've been to most of the tracks in the northeast US. Grew up on the t-bred tracks in Ontario. Enjoyed visiting harness locations also.

I still find the fair circuits for harness interesting. Bring what you got and go for a big purse.
NYS fairs/sire stakes/Syracuse Mile is still unique. Even saw racing at the Fonda Fair in NY state.
The New England harness fair circuit was charming and unique. Tote board on wheels, half a dozen tellers.

[JustRalph]

Nobody admits to visiting Scioto Downs? Come on!!?

Beulah Park ?

Those above top my list, plus.........

Del Mar

HOL

Keeneland

The Jewel of New York Vernon Downs!

Whatever the hell the name of that Harness Track is near Rochester ?

I spent an hour or so there once.......

[Zman179]

I've been to Wonderland, just didn't want to admit it.

No shame in the game. Well...ok, maybe a little.

Garden State was my home. It was a great first date too. Now second dates were pushing it, and third was usually the last time I ever heard from them.

Maybe had I waited a week....

:lol: :lol:


The Jewel of New York Vernon Downs!

Whatever the hell the name of that Harness Track is near Rochester ?


That would be Vernon.

Also too many to name. Some interesting ones on my "dead" list would be:

Parr Meadows (1977)/later reincarnated as Suffolk Meadows (1986)
Narragansett (1968)
Rockingham (1968)
Jamaica (late 50's, but wasn't allowed in; watched the races from the street)
Old Belmont (same as above, but got in once or twice as a minor, and remember the old Widener chute)
Ak-Sar-Ben
Columbus (think it's "dead"; not sure)
Green Mountain
Scarborough Downs
Goshen (Harness; worked there for NY State for the last pari-mutuel meeting in 1978)

Ocala Mike

Rockingham should reopen in the future. IIRC, Columbus ran a meet this year. Scarborough and Goshen still run trotters.

BTW, add Bay Meadows to my dead list.

[RunForTheRoses]

Also too many to name. Some interesting ones on my "dead" list would be:

Parr Meadows (1977)/later reincarnated as Suffolk Meadows (1986)


Ocala Mike

I vaguely remember it being reincarnated in the 80s. Does anyone have a history of this place?

[Ocala Mike]

I worked there as a NY State Pari-Mutuel Auditor during both the 1977 and 1986 meetings. Here is the Wikipedia entry on it; take it with a grain of salt, but I don't see any glaring inaccuracies:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suffolk_Meadow


Ocala Mike

[fiveouttasix]

I loved Garden State Park after it was rebuilt... Had my first date with my wife there in 1987

[Johnny V]

These are the tracks that I have been to. With the exception of Delaware, Colonial and Keenland I have not visited the rest in some years.

Aqueduct: the first track I went to.
Belmont
Saratoga: saw many great horses run at the NY tracks over the years.
Monmouth Park:spent many a great summer afternoon there.
Meadowlands
Delaware Park
Bowie
Laurel
Pimlico
Colonial Downs
Arlington Park
Calder
Keenland: wonderful track and area to visit.
Agnano (Italy)
Athens Racetrack
Hippodromo de whatever (France)
El Commandante (Puerto Rico)

[headhawg]

Garden State was my home. It was a great first date too. Now second dates were pushing it, and third was usually the last time I ever heard from them.

Maybe had I waited a week....The first step is admitting that you have a problem.... ;)

[andtheyreoff]

My list:
Aqueduct
Belmont
Saratoga
Monmouth
Meadowlands
The track formerly known as Philadelphia Park
Suffolk
Delaware
Saratoga Harness
Freehold
Santa Anita
Arlington

[DJofSD]

Del Mar
Santa Anita
Hollywood Park
Flagstaff
Churchill Downs
Delaware

Want to see before I die: Ascot and all of the tracks surrounding Paris.

[BlueShoe]

Wow, an almost 10 year old thread revived. :cool: Plus a few guys are still here from that far back! :ThmbUp: To the topic:
Santa Anita.--First track attended, my first love.:)
Hollywood Park.
Del Mar.
Pomona (now Fairplex).
Los Alamitos.
TB tracks no longer here:
Agua Caliente.--Colorful place back when the Alessio Bros. ran it.
Bay Meadows.
Tanforan.--Not mentioned yet by anyone. George Taniguchi leading rider year I went.
Harness tracks; none still race Standardbreds:
Santa Anita.
Hollywood Park.
Los Alamitos.
Quarter horses, Arabians, Appaloosas:
Los Alamitos.
Pomona.
Dogs:
Caliente.
Post Falls, Idaho.--No longer racing, now a simulcast center.

[Ocala Mike]

Let's try a better link to the Wikipedia history of Parr/Suffolk Meadows:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suffolk_Meadows


Ocala Mike

[GaryG]

Here is one from the past - Audubon Raceway. It was across the river from Ellis Park. It went down in flames in a disastrous fire a few years ago that took the lives of several horses from Ellis-based trainers. Opened as a harness track and was pretty fancy as I remember. Ellis may still have been called Dade Park then.

[alydar]

Aqueduct
Belmont
Yonkers
Roosevelt Raceway
Meadowland
Monmouth
Suffolk Meadows
Longacres
Portland Meadows
Delmar
Hollywood
Louisiana Downs
Hialeah
Hawthorne
Arlington
Maywood
Lone Star
Sportman's Park
Nuevo Laredo Downs
Pimlico
Laurel
Bowie
Rosecroft
Golden Gate Fields

[BlueShoe]

In spite of having traveled extensively over much of the Western USA, have never attended a TB racetrack outside of California, except Caliente, which really does not count, since it was part of the SoCal circuit. Keep saying that must correct this, or at least visit the California tracks missed. Top of the want to see list is Ferndale. Tiny out of the way minor tracks in isolated places have always attracted me for some reason. A trip to Phoenix or Prescott Valley to catch a couple of days at Turf Paradise or Yavapai Downs not that hard to do, should do it just for the heck of it sometime, although neither is hardly in a remote area, certainly not TUP in huge Phoenix.

[captainhot]

I must be the only Midwesterner who remembers going to Madison Downs and Park Jefferson.

[Scanman]

Too many (291) to post a comment with, but will try to add to other posts. I tried different ways to post this without making it such a large post, but couldn't put it into columns. Anyway, here goes.

United States
Aiken
Ak-Sar-Ben
Anthony Downs
Aqueduct
Arapahoe Park
Arlington Park
Atlantic City
Bay Meadows
Belmont Park
Belmont Plantation
Beulah Park
Birmingham
Calder
Callaway Gardens
Canterbury Park
Charles Town
Charlotte
Churchill Downs
Cochise County Fair
Colonial Downs
Dayton
Del Mar
Delaware Park
Delta Downs
Ellis Park
Emerald Downs
Eureka Downs
Evangeline Downs
Fair Grounds
Fair Hill
Fair Meadows
Fairmount Park
Far Hills
Finger Lakes
Flagstaff
Fonner Park
Foxfield
Garden State Park
Genesse Valley
Gillespie County Fair
Golden Gate Fields
Grand National
Great Lakes Downs
Great Meadow
Gulfstream Park
Hawthorne
Hialeah Park
Hollywood Park
Hoosier Downs
Horseman's Park
Indiana Downs
Jefferson Downs
Keeneland
Kentucky Downs
Kingston Downs
Laurel
Les Bois Park
Lincoln State Fair
Little Everglades
Lone Star Park
Longacres
Los Alamitos
Louisiana Downs
Meadowlands
Middleburg
Mohave County Fair
Monmouth Park
Montpelier
Mount Pleasant Meadows
Mountaineer Park
Movern Park
Oaklawn Park
Ocala
Palm Beach
Penn National
Percy Warner
Philadelphia Park
Pimlico
Pinnacle
Portland Meadows
Prairie Meadows
Presque Isle Downs
Radnor
Remington Park
Retama Park
Rillito Park
River Downs
Sacramento
Sam Houston
Santa Anita Park
Saratoga
Shawan Downs
Solano
Springdale
Stockton
Stoneybrook
Suffolk Downs
Sun Downs
Sunland Park
Sunray Park
Tampa Bay Downs
Tanglewood Park
Thistledowns
Tillamook Fair
Timonium
Tryon
Turf Paradise
Turfway Park
Unionville
Willowdale
Winterthur
Yavapai Downs
Zia Park

United Kingdom
Aintree
Ascot
Ayr
Bangor-On-Dee
Bath
Beverly
Carlisle
Cartmel
Catterick
Cheltenham
Chepstow
Chester
Doncaster
Downpatrick
Down Royal
Edinburgh
Epsom
Exeter
Fakenham
Ffos Las
Folkestone
Fontwell Park
Goodwood
Great Yarmouth
Hamilton
Haydock Park
Hereford
Hexham
Huntingdon
Kelso
Kempton Park
Leicester
Lingfiled Park
Ludlow
Market Rasen
Newbury
Newcastle
Newmarkeet
Newton Abbot
Nottingham
Perth
Plumpton
Pontefract
Redcar
Ripon
Sandown Park
Sedgefield
Southwell
Stratford
Taunton
Thirsk
Towcester
Uttoxeter
Warwick
Wetherby
Wincanton
Windsor
Wolverhampton
Worcester
York

Germany
Bad Harzburg
Baden-Baden
Cologne
Dortmund
Dresden
Dusseldorf
Erbach
Frankfurt
Gelsenkirchen
Grossenkneten
Halle
Hannover
Hasslock
Herschberg
Herxhim
Honzrath
Karlsruhe
Krefeld
Lebach
Magdeburg
Mannheim
Meissenheim
Mulheim
Munich
Neuss
Quakenburck
Saarbrucken
Sonsbeck
Walldorf
Zwibrucken

Australia
Ascot
Bunbury
Canberra
Canterbury Park
Carnarvon
Chinchilla
Crookwell
Dongara
Eagle Farm
Exmouth
Gilgandra
Goulburn
Hawkesbury
Kembla Grange
Mareeba
Muswellbrook
Newcastle
Nowra
Orange
Queanbeyan
Randwick
Rosehill Gardens
Sunshine Coast
Townsville
Wagga Wagga
Warwick Farm
Wyong
Yass

France
Amiens
Auteuil
Chalons-en-Champange
Chantilly
Compiegne
Deauville
Dieppe
Enghien
Evreux
Le Lion-d'Angers
Le Touquet
Longchamp
Maisons-Laffitte
Montier-en-Der
Nancy
Saint Cloud
Strasbourg
Wissembourg

Ireland
Ballinrobe
Bellewstown
Clonmel
Cork
Curragh
Dundalk
Galway
Kilbeggan
Laytown
Leopardstown
Naas
Navan
Roscommon
Sligo
Thurles
Tipperary
Tralee

Canada
Evergreen Park
Fort Erie
Hastings Park
Kin Park
Marquis Downs
Northlands Park
Woodbine

Belgium
Ghlin
Groenendaal
Oostende
Sterrebeek
Waregem

Switzerland
Aarau
Dielsdorf
Saignelegier
Saint Moritz

Sweden
Jagersro
Stromsholm
Taby

Italy
Naples
Varese

Spain
Dos Hermanas
La Zarzuela

Mexico
Agua Caliente

Netherlands
Duindigt

[dav4463]

My list looks small compared to most of these! Anyway, I have been to: Trinity Meadows, Lone Star Park, Sam Houston, Retama, Blue Ribbon Downs, Remington and Oaklawn.

[andtheyreoff]

My list:
Aqueduct
Belmont
Saratoga
Monmouth
Meadowlands
The track formerly known as Philadelphia Park
Suffolk
Delaware
Saratoga Harness
Freehold
Santa Anita
Arlington

Forgot Atlantic City. Add that on.

[Stillriledup]

Too many (291) to post a comment with, but will try to add to other posts. I tried different ways to post this without making it such a large post, but couldn't put it into columns. Anyway, here goes.

United States
Aiken
Ak-Sar-Ben
Anthony Downs
Aqueduct
Arapahoe Park
Arlington Park
Atlantic City
Bay Meadows
Belmont Park
Belmont Plantation
Beulah Park
Birmingham
Calder
Callaway Gardens
Canterbury Park
Charles Town
Charlotte
Churchill Downs
Cochise County Fair
Colonial Downs
Dayton
Del Mar
Delaware Park
Delta Downs
Ellis Park
Emerald Downs
Eureka Downs
Evangeline Downs
Fair Grounds
Fair Hill
Fair Meadows
Fairmount Park
Far Hills
Finger Lakes
Flagstaff
Fonner Park
Foxfield
Garden State Park
Genesse Valley
Gillespie County Fair
Golden Gate Fields
Grand National
Great Lakes Downs
Great Meadow
Gulfstream Park
Hawthorne
Hialeah Park
Hollywood Park
Hoosier Downs
Horseman's Park
Indiana Downs
Jefferson Downs
Keeneland
Kentucky Downs
Kingston Downs
Laurel
Les Bois Park
Lincoln State Fair
Little Everglades
Lone Star Park
Longacres
Los Alamitos
Louisiana Downs
Meadowlands
Middleburg
Mohave County Fair
Monmouth Park
Montpelier
Mount Pleasant Meadows
Mountaineer Park
Movern Park
Oaklawn Park
Ocala
Palm Beach
Penn National
Percy Warner
Philadelphia Park
Pimlico
Pinnacle
Portland Meadows
Prairie Meadows
Presque Isle Downs
Radnor
Remington Park
Retama Park
Rillito Park
River Downs
Sacramento
Sam Houston
Santa Anita Park
Saratoga
Shawan Downs
Solano
Springdale
Stockton
Stoneybrook
Suffolk Downs
Sun Downs
Sunland Park
Sunray Park
Tampa Bay Downs
Tanglewood Park
Thistledowns
Tillamook Fair
Timonium
Tryon
Turf Paradise
Turfway Park
Unionville
Willowdale
Winterthur
Yavapai Downs
Zia Park

United Kingdom
Aintree
Ascot
Ayr
Bangor-On-Dee
Bath
Beverly
Carlisle
Cartmel
Catterick
Cheltenham
Chepstow
Chester
Doncaster
Downpatrick
Down Royal
Edinburgh
Epsom
Exeter
Fakenham
Ffos Las
Folkestone
Fontwell Park
Goodwood
Great Yarmouth
Hamilton
Haydock Park
Hereford
Hexham
Huntingdon
Kelso
Kempton Park
Leicester
Lingfiled Park
Ludlow
Market Rasen
Newbury
Newcastle
Newmarkeet
Newton Abbot
Nottingham
Perth
Plumpton
Pontefract
Redcar
Ripon
Sandown Park
Sedgefield
Southwell
Stratford
Taunton
Thirsk
Towcester
Uttoxeter
Warwick
Wetherby
Wincanton
Windsor
Wolverhampton
Worcester
York

Germany
Bad Harzburg
Baden-Baden
Cologne
Dortmund
Dresden
Dusseldorf
Erbach
Frankfurt
Gelsenkirchen
Grossenkneten
Halle
Hannover
Hasslock
Herschberg
Herxhim
Honzrath
Karlsruhe
Krefeld
Lebach
Magdeburg
Mannheim
Meissenheim
Mulheim
Munich
Neuss
Quakenburck
Saarbrucken
Sonsbeck
Walldorf
Zwibrucken

Australia
Ascot
Bunbury
Canberra
Canterbury Park
Carnarvon
Chinchilla
Crookwell
Dongara
Eagle Farm
Exmouth
Gilgandra
Goulburn
Hawkesbury
Kembla Grange
Mareeba
Muswellbrook
Newcastle
Nowra
Orange
Queanbeyan
Randwick
Rosehill Gardens
Sunshine Coast
Townsville
Wagga Wagga
Warwick Farm
Wyong
Yass

France
Amiens
Auteuil
Chalons-en-Champange
Chantilly
Compiegne
Deauville
Dieppe
Enghien
Evreux
Le Lion-d'Angers
Le Touquet
Longchamp
Maisons-Laffitte
Montier-en-Der
Nancy
Saint Cloud
Strasbourg
Wissembourg

Ireland
Ballinrobe
Bellewstown
Clonmel
Cork
Curragh
Dundalk
Galway
Kilbeggan
Laytown
Leopardstown
Naas
Navan
Roscommon
Sligo
Thurles
Tipperary
Tralee

Canada
Evergreen Park
Fort Erie
Hastings Park
Kin Park
Marquis Downs
Northlands Park
Woodbine

Belgium
Ghlin
Groenendaal
Oostende
Sterrebeek
Waregem

Switzerland
Aarau
Dielsdorf
Saignelegier
Saint Moritz

Sweden
Jagersro
Stromsholm
Taby

Italy
Naples
Varese

Spain
Dos Hermanas
La Zarzuela

Mexico
Agua Caliente

Netherlands
Duindigt

So, what you are saying is that you've been to every one of these tracks?

[johnhannibalsmith]

So, what you are saying is that you've been to every one of these tracks?

No the format of the thread just changed to make you ask another stupid question.

[Jay Trotter]

Too many (291) to post a comment with, but will try to add to other posts. I tried different ways to post this without making it such a large post, but couldn't put it into columns. Anyway, here goes.



Wow, Scanman...............that's impressive! I have track envy!

[Cardus]

I can tell you exactly when I went. Suffolk re-opened I believe on January 1st, 1992, and it was the next day. This reminds me I've been to Cloverleaf too, which I believe is also closed.

Correct about Suffolk's re-opening, if memory serves. I know that it was January 1, and without looking it up, believe it was '92 as well. I was there, too.

How about that?

[Stillriledup]

No the format of the thread just changed to make you ask another stupid question.

Huh?
:eek:

Jesus, what is it with this Pace Advantage, you post one thing and the angry dwarfs come out of the ground trying to drive a stake in your heart.

Did i spit on your family or something? Geez, take a chill pill.

[johnhannibalsmith]

Huh?
:eek:

Jesus, what is it with this Pace Advantage, you post one thing and the angry dwarfs come out of the ground trying to drive a stake in your heart.

Did i spit on your family or something? Geez, take a chill pill.

I thought you'd be thankful for the negative attention. My bad.

[cj]

Huh?
:eek:

Jesus, what is it with this Pace Advantage, you post one thing and the angry dwarfs come out of the ground trying to drive a stake in your heart.

Did i spit on your family or something? Geez, take a chill pill.

He may have been a little harsh, just a little, but why else would the guy post a list that long if he had not been there? By asking, you are insinuating you don't believe the guy, so you probably got what you deserve.

[Cardus]

So, what you are saying is that you've been to every one of these tracks?

Yes, Scanman has been to every one of those tracks. It's a phenomenal list!

As I was scrolling through this thread again today, I thought of contacting him to post his list; I know his list is monumental.

[Stillriledup]

Yes, Scanman has been to every one of those tracks. It's a phenomenal list!

As I was scrolling through this thread again today, I thought of contacting him to post his list; I know his list is monumental.

That's borderline unbelievable, that's why i asked, jesus, what a tour de force.

[Robert Goren]

I must be the only Midwesterner who remembers going to Madison Downs and Park Jefferson. No, you are not. Not a lot to recommend PJ, but Madison called itself the "Saratoga of the Plains" You could handicap while sitting the shade of a tree. Then walk 20 feet and make a bet. Its track was almost all sand. They would run 6f 2 second faster in the mud than they would on a fast track. Great place. They got squeezed out of the Nebraska circuit to give more days to Aksarben in the early 70s. They ran for 3 weeks in sept. Park Jefferson's main claim to fame is that D. Wayne Lukas onced raced $800 claimers there. They raced most of the summer.

[Cardus]

Let's try a better link to the Wikipedia history of Parr/Suffolk Meadows:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suffolk_Meadows


Ocala Mike

To combine this post with your earlier post today, I'd say that there is one "glaring omission": no mention of the mob!

A college classmate's uncle was involved with the track, and he said that the operation -- I remember him mentioning the building of the track, but not so sure that he meant the management of it -- was mob infested.

Great to see so many guys here that visited Parr Meadows. My parents took me there. I suppose that the track's creation was a part of the mid-70s "Long Island Boom" period, but not that many people lived out there at that time. (Quite unlike now, of course.)

Good stuff.

[Teach]

Harness:

Foxboro Raceway: I made my first pari-mutuel bet there in the summer of 1958. $2.00 to show on a mare named Adios Lucy (she finished third). I was so nervous I couldn't watch the race. Only knew for sure that I cashed when I opened my eyes and saw the #3, my horse, on infield tote. I was 15-years-old.

I would later serve as publicist, back-up announcer and tip-sheet handicapper there in mid-1980s. It's gone now; part of a Gillette Stadium parking lot. One season, they had a thoroughbred meet. The turns made it seem like a bull-ring.

Hinsdale Raceway: The first time went there I thought it was somebody's backyard. They did away with harness and went to dogs. I'm not sure they're still operating.

Scarborough Downs. The mosquitoes were fierce. A looong ride from Boston area. Ted Wing got his start there. It was a mile track went I went there. THey used to have a thoroubred meet.

Plainridge: Until recently, it was track I most frequently visited. Now I use ADW. I was a teller there and a "legal" bookie.

Rosecroft: I was visiting a friend who worked in D.C. We went to Rosecroft, twice. Oxon Hill, MD. I remember going over the Woodrow Wilson Bridge.

The Meadowlands: I entered a handicapping contest there. No luck.

Freehold: I went there several times when I was teaching on Long Island. Hot as blazes in August. I later went back for a handicapping contest. No, I didn't win.

Brandywine. After hitting Belmont, a friend and I made the trek through Philadelphia to northern Delaware. Beautiful place. I believe it was razed to make way for a mall.

Roosevelt. I went there frequently when I was teaching on Long Island (one of the reasons I took the job). First time I went there, (mid-60s) a friend of mine was then New England correspondent for Trotter Magazine. We took in a Mets game at old Polo Grounds and then went to Roosevelt. I remember seeing SuMac Lad.

Yonkers: I was a frequent visitor to The Old Hilltop Course. In mid-1960s I remember seeing a racing series called the La Paloma. Made many visits there.

Syracuse (New YorK State Fair): I was born in Syracuse. I would visit relatives and take in the harness racing.

Rockingham Park: I was a frequent visitor. I "burned out" the engine of my first car, 1954 Dodge coupe. I hit a twin-tri there with a horse called Necy II.

Suffolk Downs: They ran a harness meet there in the fall. Gil Lavine called the race. Harry Burright, Bob Farrington, "Bucky" Day, Cliff "Tug" Boyd.

Monticello: A long ride from Long Island up Route #17. I went there occasionally.

Throroughbreds:

Suffolk: I used to sit in the press box. I was a member of the New England Turf Writers.

Rockingham: I saw Marquetry win a big stakes race there.

Hialeah: I went to Florida for "Spring Break" when I went to college. I took the bus into Hialeah. Saw the dance of the Flamingoes. I remember betting on a horse named Cooperstown.

Aqueduct: I'd occasionally go there when I was teaching on Long Island.

Belmont: Same story as above.

Marshfield Fair: Massachusetts fair south of Boston. In addition to rides, they ran thoroughbred card. You could practically touch the horses. The steward's stand was in the infield. It reminded me of how things used to be in the old days.

Charlestown: I thought it was somebody's back yard. I remember visiting Antietam Battlefield and Harper's Ferry before going to the track.


Dog Tracks:

Wonderland: I bailed out there when I was in college with a dog named Cherry Toast.

Raynham-Taunton (initially Raynham): I worked there as a state racing judge (nothing special) I went around with the lead-outs for $45 a night.

Taunton: it was a separate dog track that later merged into Raynham-Taunton. Massachusetts voted to end greyhound racing.

Bonita Springs: I went there when I was visiting my brother-in-law and sister-in-law in Ft. Myers. Went there primarily for simulcast. The grandstand was the pits; sahifted to clubhouse.

Hollywood Dog Track: I went there when I went on "Spring Break"; I remember hitting the first race, but nothing after that.

[Cardus]

Teach, do you remember how many people would attend Roosevelt on a Saturday night in the 60s?

The figure was mind-boggling.

[Teach]

Cardus,

I couldn't tell you number of people, but the crowds were huge. The place seemed like glass, glass and more glass. Several levels. I remember they had an extensive buffet for about $3.00.

One night at Yonkers, somebody was playing games with the tote tickets (counterfeiting the squiggles and symbols on the old lithographic art mutuel tickets). It was quite a scene.

[Scanman]

So, what you are saying is that you've been to every one of these tracks?
Yes.

[Scanman]

That's borderline unbelievable, that's why i asked, jesus, what a tour de force.
No worries, Still. I can see why someone would be skeptical. I have programs from all but one or two of the Belgian tracks and that's only because the didn't sell/print them.

If you interested in how I got started with this, check out this interview I gave to Steeplechase Times in December 2007.

[JimG]

The Derby List started a subject of people telling what tracks they have visited in their life so far. The following is my list:

Charles Town: The first for me still holds a special place.

Shenandoah Downs: Now a training track

Laurel

Pimlico: Preakness only...what a zoo!

Bowie: Now defunct

Fairmount Park: On business 1 time, caught a closers bias and won.

Turfway: For simulcasting only between flight delay at Cincinnati.

Tampa Bay Downs: Nice track...used to live in the area..never had much luck there.

Birmingham: There opening night many years ago. Now its a dog track.

Colonial Downs: My home track, until it goes belly-up.


JimG

Wow! Has it really been almost 10 years since I started this thread? Jay Trotter mentioned we might want to update. I think Keeneland and Blue Ribbon Downs are the only other horse tracks I can add since then. I would like to visit others. Maybe I will in the next 10 years and update then. ;)

Jim

PS...Been to many greyhound tracks, most of them prior to 2001 and I did not mention them at the time so no need for me to list them now.

[GameTheory]

ahem...

Detroit Race Course
Albuquerque
Santa Fe Downs
Santa Anita
Hollywood Park
Arapahoe Park

... oh well, but I've been to a couple of them a lot!

[Scanman]

I was searching for something else and came across this thread from the grave. Might be interesting to revive it and to see if the original posters have added any tracks to their list.


My Tracks:

Assiniboia Downs -- home track


Jay, I'll have to give you a shout when I make it up to Winnipeg.

[Bullet Plane]

I have been to a few. Got a hat with a logo from each place and hung them on the wall of my man-cave.

Remington Park - home track

Lone Star Park - Another nearby

Louisina Downs - Took a vacation there once... my X wanted to take in some Riverboat gambling

Oaklawn Park - Been there several times - great place

Churchill Downs - the Kentucky Derby museum is great...my youngest daughter got married in Eastern Tennessee... I took a detour to Louisville on the way back home

Golden Gate - My oldest daughter lives in SF

Arlington Park - the great statue of the immortal John Henry and the Shoe - ( I also have some relatives in Chicago)

[witchdoctor]

Bandera Downs
Sam Houston
Lone Star
Blue Ribbon Downs
Remington Park
Will Rogers Downs
Fair Meadows
Oaklawn Park
Fair Grounds
Keeneland
Churchill Downs
Ellis Park

[NJ Stinks]

I travel a bit and one particular time I was in Pleasanton, CA and remembered in a Jim Quinn book a discussion about this site. I tried to find it in the phone book without any luck. Eventually I stumbled across it and it was closed for the day.

Nothing like replying to a post almost 10 years later!

Syyamo, if you are still here, I went to the Pleasanton OTB once. I got there a little after 5:00pm on a Friday. As soon as I walked in I saw this huge crowd watching a large TV console on the floor near the entrance. My first thought was: What the hell? Is this the only TV in the place?

It got even stranger when I finally got a glimpse of what everyone was watching. It was a white SUV riding down a highway.

I kept moving and was lucky enough to find a great table for viewing and betting the races on other TV's. Yep, I guess you could say I owe it all to OJ. :eek:

[Broad Brush]

You've been to Finger Lakes? ~G~

My tracks:

Sar
FL
FE
WO
Det
Beu
Pha
Pen
Commadore (Eire)
Pim
Lrl
(Drove by Suffolk a few times - never time to stop)

Harness:
Batavia
Liberty Bell
Vernon

Best track for actully viewing a race - Finger Lakes, hands down. The don't have bushes and trees blocking the view (Can't afford 'em)
Worst for watching races - Saratoga, hands down.
Most comfortable track, Fort Erie.
Best simulcasting - Penn.
Best benches on the rail - Pha.
Best hot dogs - Batavia Downs.

Tom

Wow, someone else knows about Commodore Downs!!!
I remember watching a horse named "Behavin Jerry" win as a 17 yo horse!!

[Stillriledup]

No worries, Still. I can see why someone would be skeptical. I have programs from all but one or two of the Belgian tracks and that's only because the didn't sell/print them.

If you interested in how I got started with this, check out this interview I gave to Steeplechase Times in December 2007.

It just blew me away, that's wild. I'm not sure whether to congratulate you or tell you to seek help! :D

Great stuff!

[Scanman]

It just blew me away, that's wild. I'm not sure whether to congratulate you or tell you to seek help! :D

Great stuff!
Thanks. That's the beauty of this particular thread. It celebrates "going to the track". It gives us the chance to re-visit our racing experiences, good and bad (but for me, almost always good and some really incredible).

Additionally, it might inspire others to get out there and "go racing". The sport is too great not to be experienced first-hand. For me now, it kind of sucks. Living in Orlando, I get to Tampa Bay Downs once or twice during their season. I also have a horse in training that will campaign in the mid-Atlantic starting in April and will fly up to watch him run, but otherwise I'm stuck for live racing.

So I really look forward to putting a trip together, visiting someplace new, and experiencing a generally unfamiliar racing product. The anticipation of the next "first-time" track is kind of addictive (but returning to an old favorite is great too).

[alydar]

Aqueduct
Belmont
Yonkers
Roosevelt Raceway
Meadowland
Monmouth
Suffolk Meadows
Longacres
Portland Meadows
Delmar
Hollywood
Louisiana Downs
Hialeah
Hawthorne
Arlington
Maywood
Lone Star
Sportman's Park
Nuevo Laredo Downs
Pimlico
Laurel
Bowie
Rosecroft
Golden Gate Fields

add

Philly Park
Atlantic City
Charlestown

[Jay Trotter]

Scanman, if you decide to add Assiniboia Downs to that awesome list of yours, you have a standing offer for dinner in the clubhouse as we take in the races. We race from the 2nd weekend in May until late September.

Good stuff :ThmbUp:

Jay, I'll have to give you a shout when I make it up to Winnipeg.

[Actor]

http://mcchump.com/

[GatetoWire]

Just to add my list....didn't include the fairs....sure I missed some

Saratoga
Aqueduct
Belmont
Monmouth
Saratoga Harness
Monticello
Vernon
Buffalo Raceway
Batavia Downs
Yonkers
The Meadowlands
Freehold
Chester Downs
Pocono
Garden State Park
Los Alamitos
Hollywood Park
Golden Gate Fields
Bay Meadows
Rosecroft
Delaware Park
Dover Downs
Laurel Park
Pimlico
Colonial Downs
Hialeah
Calder
Gulfstream
Pompano Park
The Meadows
Northfield
Delaware County Fair
Scioto Downs
Thistledown
The Red Mile
Keeneland
Arlington
Hawthorne
Sportman's Park
Maywood
Balmoral
Windsor
London
Woodbine
Mohawk
Grand River
Barrie Raceway
Elmira
Kawartha Downs
Rideau Carleton
Belleville
Suffolk
Garden City Raceway (I was 2 but I was told I was there)

[NJ Stinks]

I thought I had a fairly decent list until I saw Scatman's and Gatetowire's! :ThmbUp: :ThmbUp:

At any rate, I posted most of the following a while back somewhere else. It's a list of programs and other racing memorabilia I kept from various tracks I've visited.

Before I start I just want to say it all started for me at the old Garden State. I truly loved that place. :(

1. Ascot program September 27 2002 including losing tickets from on-track bookies Jim Davies, Tony Lusardi Ltd., bet 365.com, and Barry Curran, as well as tote exotic tickets (I shopped in vain!)

2. The Examiner Tipsheet - sold for a buck, these were race selections at the now defunct Lewiston Raceway (harness track in Maine) - my lifelong buddy was “The Examiner” and sold about 40 sheets a night!

3. Garden State Park program May 2 2001 (GS closed forever May 3 2001 but I couldn't be there on the last day)

4. Laurel program August 13 2000 (Xtra Heat with Mark Johnston aboard won her 3rd lifetime race that day as a 2 year old)

5. Saratoga Harness program September 2 2000 (Wally Hennessey up from Florida to drive in NY Sire Stakes series)

6. Haskell Program August 6 2000 won by Dixie Union with Alex Solis aboard

7. DRF Breeder’s Cup Advance (PP’s) November 6 1999 (Cat Thief in the Classic)

8. DRF Preakness Day May 15 1999 (Charismatic won the Preakness)

9. Hollywood Greyhound Track (Florida) February 26 1999

10. Preakness program May 18 1991 (Hansel with Jerry Bailey aboard won the Preakness vs. Strike the Gold and Best Pal)

11. The Meadows (outside Pittsburgh) harness program June 4 1998

12. Hippodrome de Quebec harness program October 12 1996 (Dad and I a blast losing!

13. Hippodrome de Montreal harness program October 10 1997

14. Preakness program May 19 1990 (Summer Squall with Pat Day aboard beat Unbridled & Mister Frisky)

15. Gulfstream Park program February 5 1995

16. Kempton Park program (outside London) April 4 1988 (Steve Cauthen won the 5th race on Watertight for me!)

17. Racing Post January 7 1987 (25 pence!)

18. Scarborough Downs program (harness track in Maine) November 11 1990

19. Garden State Park harness program December 3 1985 (first harness meet at the new GS)

20. Top of the Track menu at Lewiston Raceway circa 1986 (my buddy managed the clubhouse restaurant – broiled NY Sirloin cost the most at $13.50!)

21. Lewiston Raceway program November 8 1989

22. Saratoga (large font!) program August 22 1990

23. Philadelphia Daily News special supplement (44 pages) on the re-opening of Garden State Park on April 1 1985. Camden Courier-Post special supplement on same subject (60 pages). What happened to newspaper coverage?

24. Scioto Downs (outside Columbus Ohio) harness program July 18 1987

25. VictoryLand Greyhound program (near Montogomery, Alabama) March 21 1987

26. Super Seminole Greyhound program (near Orlando) May 12 1983

27. Walthamstow Stadium Greyhound program (East End of London) September 13 1980, December 29 1981, April 6 1983, and December 26 1983

28. Golden Gate Fields program June 18 1994

29. The Turf Club menu (with cool old pictures) at Rockingham Park May 1990

30. Belmont Stakes program June 10 1989 (somebody beat Sunday Silence!)

31. Birmingham Turf Club (14th day at new track) March 20 1987

32. Laurel program Washington DC International Day October 20 1984 (Seattle Song won with Cash Asmussen aboard; Two Davids was upset by For Halo on the card)

33. Seabrook Greyhound program (New Hampshire) November 9 1983

34. Rosecroft Raceway harness program (just outside Washington DC) November 30 1984 and May 17 1991

35. Romford Stadium Greyhound program (just outside London) December 30 1983

36. Hackney Stadium Greyhound program (defunct London track) December 31 1983

37. Preakness program May 19 1984 (Gate Dancer with Pat Day aboard beats Swale & Taylor’s Special)

38. Aqueduct program March 23 1990

39. Bowie program December 20 1984

40. Preakness program May 21 1984 (Maryland bred Deputed Testimony with Donnie Miller, Jr. aboard beats Sunny’s Halo, Marfa, Desert Wine, and Play Fellow in the slop)

41. River Downs program July 22 1987

42. Rockingham Park program November 4 1989 (BC Day - Sunday Silence gets his revenge!)

43. Newmarket program May 3 1986 (given to me – I didn’t go)

44. Delaware Park program August 12 1991

45. Preakness program May 16 1987 (Alysheba with Chris McCarron aboard nips Bet Twice, with Cryptoclearance finishing 3rd and Gulch an also-ran)

46. Preakness program May 17 1975 (Master Derby wins (for me!) at 23-1 with Darrel McHargue aboard beating Foolish Pleasure, Avatar, & Diabolo)

47. Preakness program May 21 1988 (Risen Star with Eddie Delahoussaye beats Winning Colors, Forty Niner, and Private Terms)

48. Preakness program May 16 1992 (Pine Bluff with Chris McCarron aboard beats Lil E.Tee, Alydeed, and Dance Floor)

49. My last Preakness program May 21 1994 (Tabasco Cat with Pat Day aboard beats Go For Gin, Concern, and Numerous)

50. DRF for Preakness Day 1987 (Alysheba’s year)

51. DRF for Preakness Day 1985 (Tank’s Prospect’s year)

52. Yonkers harness program August 3 1988

53. Arlington Million program August 13 2005 (Powerscourt with Kieren Fallon aboard beats Better Talk Now, Sweet Return, and Kitten's Joy)

54. Gulfstream Park program February 27, 1999 (Behrens with Jorge Chavez aboard wins the Gulfstream Park Handicap)

55. Northfield Park program January 25 2006 (snowed throughout the card!)

56. The National - anybody remember this sports daily? I have the final edition dated June 13 1991.

57. The Racing Times - Black-Eyed Susan Day - May 17 1991

58. Naples-Fort Myers Greyhound Track program January 8 2003

59. York (UK) program September 5 2007 (Saeed bin Suroor and Frankie Dettori landed by helicoptor in the infield an hour before the Group Three feature . Their only engagement , Echo of Light, won the feature by 4 at even money. My wife still hasn't forgiven me for trying to beat Frankie - especially under those circumstances. :blush: )

60. Newmarket (UK) program October 1 2009 (I hit the last race exacta and trifecta to break even for the day. My wife was more stunned than I was! I don't know why since Dettori won the finale on a 7-2 shot. ;) )

61. Brighton (UK) program October 15 2009 (You guys have to see the uphill run up the straight to the finish line to believe it.)

62. Sandown (UK) program September 15 2010 (I thought I saw a future star that Wednesday. His name is Treasury Devil. He's trained by John Gosden and ridden by William Buick. Treasury Devil is 3 this year.)

63. Vincennes (France) September 23 2010 (Harness racing in Paris! 10 to 14 horse fields - all trots with a couple Montes tossed in so nobody gets bored! Top class for sure.)

Thoroughbred tracks I've been to but not listed above include River Downs, Charles Town, Shenandoah Downs (gone), Fairmount Park, Penn National, Atlantic City, Churchill Downs, Keeneland, and Fort Erie.

Harness tracks I've been to but not listed above include Brandywine (gone), Liberty Bell (gone), Exhibition Park in Halifax Nova Scotia (gone), Scarborough Downs, Dover Downs, Pompano Park, Monticello, Freehold Raceway, Chester Downs, Buffalo Raceway, and the late great Roosevelt Raceway on Long Island.

Greyhound tracks I've been to but not listed above include Hinsdale (gone) and Plainfield (gone)

Tracks still on my wish list in the Northeast include Pocono Downs (still can't believe I haven't been there yet), Suffolk Downs, and Colonial Downs. The only other track here in the U.S. that I vow not miss is Hawthorne. Looks like my kind of place. :cool:

[PIC6SIX]

Been to all tracks listed below:
TDN
MTN
CT
BEAU
RD
TFY
KEE
CD
ELP
ARL
LR
BEL
SAR
AQ
MED
PRESQUE ISLE
WDB
FL
CALDER
GP
TMP
OP
FAIRMONT PK:) :)
HOLLYWOOD
BM
LS
HOOSIER
SPORTSMAN PK
HAW
COL
PEN
PIM

My favorites are SAR, WDB, KEE, SA, ARL,GP. SA gets my vote for scenic beauty followed by SAR for scenic beaty and ambiance. Kee gets my 3rd place vote for scenic beauty. KEE gets my first place vote for hospitality. Most sanitary and modern are ARL, WDB and GP and KEE.

[Zman179]

The one thing I noticed from my many trips to Europe is that:
1) They have the best food
2) Good beer for cheap
3) Racing there is an experience
4) Better quality riffraff :lol:

(BTW, my European tracks are Sandown, Ascot, Lingfield, Kempton, Vincennes, Enghien, Saint Cloud, Longchamp, Auteuil, Compiègne, Maisons Lafitte and Lyon Parilly [go figure, I've been to a track that Scanman hasn't visited yet :lol: ])

[BIG HIT]

Most are gone or going to be soon
Detroit Race Course
Northville Down's [ Harness]
Hazel Park Now just Harness
Pinnacle
Sportman's park
Woodbine from what read here rhe old one
Raceway park ohio think closed now
Horse raceing is dying in michigan sad

[Scanman]

The one thing I noticed from my many trips to Europe is that:
1) They have the best food
2) Good beer for cheap
3) Racing there is an experience
4) Better quality riffraff :lol:

(BTW, my European tracks are Sandown, Ascot, Lingfield, Kempton, Vincennes, Enghien, Saint Cloud, Longchamp, Auteuil, Compiègne, Maisons Lafitte and Lyon Parilly [go figure, I've been to a track that Scanman hasn't visited yet :lol: ])
True on all counts, in particular #2. A friend of mine would go racing with us in Germany for the beer. A lot of the tracks served beer in a glass and it's usually the local brew with the logo of the brewery on the glass. He ended up with quite a beer glass collection.

I've enjoyed looking at everyone's lists. There's quite a few I haven't been to that the other board members have. NJ Stinks list includes Brighton. It's one of the two I haven't been to in the UK.

BTW, what did you think of Compiègne? I was there in the Spring and thought it was a fantastic provincial track. We had a gorgeous, sunny day. Lots of flowers blooming and the grounds were beautifully manicured. The racing was good too, with a lot of the top Paris trainers and jocks racing.

[wisconsin]

Washington Park (Defunct)
Aurora Downs (Defunct)
Sportsman's Park (Defunct)
Walworth County Fair (Wis)

Maywood
Hawthorne
Balmoral
Arlington

Fairmount
Canterbury 3 times
Tampa Bay twice
Mountaineer
Beulah twice
Turfway twice
River Downs 5 times
Thisledown
Hollywood
Golden Gate
Turf Paradise
Monmouth
Penn National
Del Mar
Keeneland twice
Hoosier
Emerald Downs
Suffolk
Arapahoe (special guest of Craig Braddick)
Hialeah
Gulfstream
Oaklawn

Add one or two every year.

[mistergee]

Like most too many to mention, but here are ones Ive been to that I wish were still active: Great Barrington, Marshfield, Northhampton, Green Mountain, Rockingham. Even though these were mostly rock bottom claimers past their prime with all the flaws of larceny and lame horses that shouldnt be running. I still miss the surroundings and feel of these little meets and fairs

[Spiderman]

In likely chronological order:
MTH
AQ
BEL
SAR
Vernon Downs
Lincoln Downs - defunct
track in New Hamphire, just across MA border, can't remember name
Suffolk
Monticello
Tropical Park - defunct
Hialeah - re-opened
Gulfstream - before re-modeling
Santa Anita
Keystone/Philadelphia
Delaware
Laurel
Arlington
Del Mar

[elhelmete]

Suffolk
Rockingham
Scarborough
Bay State Raceway/Foxboro
Poconos
Thistledown
Detroit
Northville
Hazel Park
Windsor
Santa Anita
Hollywood
Del Mar

Next month, good chance I will hit 1-2 tracks in Australia.

[Cardus]

I grouped mine be state (easier to remember that way):

NY: Aqueduct; Belmont Park; Parr Meadows; Roosevelt Raceway; Saratoga; Saratoga Raceway; Yonkers.

CT: Plainfield; Shoreline Star.

RI: Lincoln Downs

MA: Foxboro; Northampton; Raynham-Taunton; Sufferin' Downs; Wonderland.

NH: Belmont (Lakes Region); Hinsdale; Rockingham Park; Seabrook.

VT: Green Mountain. (Has anyone else mentioned this track?)

NJ: Meadowlands; Monmouth.

DE: Delaware Park.

MD: Pimlico.

VA: Colonial Downs

FL: Daytona Beach; Derby Lane; Gulfstream Park; Melbourne; Orange Park; Tampa Bay Downs.

WV: Wheeling Downs.

KY: Churchill Downs; Keeneland; Turfway Park.

LA: Fairgrounds.

MN: Canterbury Park.

AZ: Phoenix Greyhound Park; Turf Paradise; Yavapai.

CA: Del Mar; Santa Anita.

Ireland: The Curragh.

[Spiderman]

In likely chronological order:
MTH
AQ
BEL
SAR
Vernon Downs
Lincoln Downs - defunct
track in New Hamphire, just across MA border, can't remember name
Suffolk
Monticello
Tropical Park - defunct
Hialeah - re-opened
Gulfstream - before re-modeling
Santa Anita
Keystone/Philadelphia
Delaware
Laurel
Arlington
Del Mar

Next poster has track in NH, Rockingham

[Scanman]

Next month, good chance I will hit 1-2 tracks in Australia.
Which one's? What part of Oz are you visiting?

[elhelmete]

Which one's? What part of Oz are you visiting?

Business takes me to Sydney, so I'll try whatever's running in NSW.

[Stillriledup]

Here's a list of defunct tracks from Wikipedia.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Defunct_horse_racing_venues_in_the_United _States

[cj]

Here's a list of defunct tracks from Wikipedia.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Defunct_horse_racing_venues_in_the_United _States (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category%3Cimg%20src=%22http://www.paceadvantage.com/forum/images/UBGX/E9.gif%22%20border=%220%22%20alt=%22%22%20title=%2 2Laughter%22%20smilieid=%2220%22%20class=%22inline img%22%20/%3Eefunct_horse_racing_venues_in_the_United_States )

It isn't complete.

[andtheyreoff]

RI: Lincoln Downs


WV: Wheeling Downs.



For thoroughbreds or greyhounds?

[Stillriledup]

It isn't complete.

That's the great thing about Wikipedia, you can go edit that if you feel something isnt correct!!! :ThmbUp:

[Zman179]

BTW, what did you think of Compiègne? I was there in the Spring and thought it was a fantastic provincial track. We had a gorgeous, sunny day. Lots of flowers blooming and the grounds were beautifully manicured. The racing was good too, with a lot of the top Paris trainers and jocks racing.

I thought it was a really nice track. Made a daytrip from Paris, 1 hour on the train then a short bus ride (Compiègne is the only town/city I've ever been to in which the public bus system is 100% free). Went for a non-PMU meeting so the pools were very small and the races were second-rung as a result, but it didn't take away from the fun. The one thing that really surprised me was that 80% of the crowd was young families with their children. Lovely main building, many flowers and a very nice town.

[Cardus]

For thoroughbreds or greyhounds?

It's funny that you ask this, because I almost put "greyhounds" in parentheses for Lincoln Downs. You could see the old track in the background. I think that it was called "Naragansett Downs" back in the day. Neat area around the track, too.

As for Wheeling Downs, that, too, was for greyhounds. I didn't know that Wheeling Downs had other racing.

[Jay Trotter]

Interesting how this thread has burned up the wire after being burried in the vault for so long.

When I posted to the thread there had only been 21 posts and 1104 views and as I post this we stand at 115 posts and 3207 views. I guess the original topic was well ahead of its time!

Interesting stuff!

Trotter:ThmbUp:

[Zman179]

It's funny that you ask this, because I almost put "greyhounds" in parentheses for Lincoln Downs. You could see the old track in the background. I think that it was called "Naragansett Downs" back in the day. Neat area around the track, too.

Lincoln Downs is outside Providence, RI and Narragansett Park was in Pawtucket, RI.

Lincoln, since renamed Twin River Casino, discontinued live greyhound racing last year; it is now a casino which used to be a racetrack.

Narragansett went out of business in 1978. The lower portion of the grandstand still stands (without the roof and seats) and is used as a flea market.

Pics of Narragansett today:

http://intothesunstudio.com/gallery/narragansettparkafter78?page=1

[1GCFAN]

FL: Gulfstream,Tampa Bay
OH: River Downs, Thistledowns, Beulah Park
KY:Turfway Park, Churchill
IL: Arlington, Sportsman Park, Hawthorne
IN: Indiana Downs
NY: Saratoga
NJ: Meadowlands
CA: Del Mar, Hollywood, Santa Anita
WVA: Mountianeer, Wheeling Downs (T-Breds)
NM: La Mesa Park
AZ: Turf Paradise
MI: Detroit Race Course, Hazel Park

[RaceBookJoe]

T-Breds : Saratoga , Meadowlands , Finger Lakes and Great Barrington

Harness : Saratoga, Yonkers, Batavia, Buffalo

Dogs : Wonderland, Green Mountain , Bluffs Run

Plan to add SA and Del Mar to the list this year

[DJofSD]

Plan to add SA and Del Mar to the list this year

Hurry up before they close.

[RaceBookJoe]

Hurry up before they close.

Yeah no kidding...not gonna break my neck getting there :)

[Hoofless_Wonder]

I've been to 50-60 tracks, but am no match for the International HorseMan, Scanman. My personal favorite is Hialeah (was there in December of 1987), but that may have been slanted since my home track was Fairmount. Keeneland is the classiest.

On this topic, in the sumer of 1991 or so, I met a retired school teacher from Maryland at the OTB in Fargo (in the Holiday Inn at the time). Quite an interesting gent. He told me he had visited every racetrack in North America except one on Vancouver Island which was only open 2-3 weeks per year. I was filled with envy. Lo and behold, a few months later I open up my latest issue of Horseplayer Magazine, and there was an article on his travels.....

[BlueShoe]

Business takes me to Sydney, so I'll try whatever's running in NSW.
With the way Australia has been pounded by recent floods and a cyclone, have to wonder if their racetracks have been damaged to such an extent that they will be unable to race as scheduled. Am thinking something like Fairgrounds after Katrina.

[Patrick333]

Finger Lakes - First betBatavia Downs

Monticello

Laurel

Philadelphia Park (PARX Racing) - my home track

Pocono Downs

Monmouth - Not my favorite, but everyone elese seems to like it. It's worth the trip just to go to Max's Hotdogs. They are the worlds best.

Tioga Downs

Belmont

Delaware Park

Dover Downs

Atlantic City

Turfway

Hopefully I'll get to a few more. Hope to hit the Florida tracks soon.

[ronsmac]

I've been to too many to list. Worldwide at least 50.

[wisconsin]

Already posted my list, but wanted to add some random thoughts:

Keeneland-Awesome chili dogs, best anywhere. Great venue for racing.

Emerald-Tremendous chili/cheese fries, best food value around. Ripoff admission, and you have to buy a seat upstairs if you want any kind of a view of the track.

Oaklawn-Really good corned beef, love a big racetrack crowd.

Del Mar-A must for anyone. Played the horses then swam at Torrey Pines beach in the evening.

Gulfstream-Goofy grandstand, but a really cool bar-like atmosphere. Tote board blocks your view of the backside.

Hialeah-Historic feel, old school.

River Downs-Had a really good Dixieland Band roaming the grandstand the times I was there (88-90)

Monmouth reminded me of old Arlington

I sure miss Sportsman's Park (pre-speedway era)

[goingbroke]

First track ever visited was Finger Lakes - never bet on a horse before but won a couple bucks on the slots, went upstairs put $5 on #6 at Belmont wish I could remember the name as well as wish I knew what I was doing, I finally figured out how to work the machine, he won and that's all it took.

Batavia Downs

and now my favorite track so far where I've won some bucks is Charlestown

[Spiderman]

Here's a list of defunct tracks from Wikipedia.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Defunct_horse_racing_venues_in_the_United _States


Add two to my list:

Garden State

Roosevelt Raceway

[Scanman]

Business takes me to Sydney, so I'll try whatever's running in NSW.Here's a link to the NSW Racing Calendar (March is page 9): http://www.racingnsw.com.au/site/_content/document/00000263-source.pdf .

Depending when you go, all the city tracks are running. My picks would be Rosehill or Randwick (Kensington=Randwick). Kensignton is Randwick's inner turf course. Of the provincial racecourses try Kembla Grange, Wyong or Canberra. But if you really want a racing experience try one of "Picnics". I've been to Yass and Crookwell. Crookwell was the better of the two and is the closest to Sydney (around a 3-hour drive).

Though, keep in mind, if you do venture out to Crookwell try to head back to Sydney a couple of hours before sunset (I left before the last). Lots of country roads and the 'roos will be out at sunset/nighttime. Otherwise, stay and take in the festivities and obtain local lodging.

With the way Australia has been pounded by recent floods and a cyclone, have to wonder if their racetracks have been damaged to such an extent that they will be unable to race as scheduled. Am thinking something like Fairgrounds after Katrina.Most of the "weather" is up in Queensland. Fortunately, the Cat 5 that hit there last week went in between Townsville and Cairns. Probalby just a few country meets affected. The major flooding was also up north Rockingham, Ipswich, Toowoomba and Brisbane. All tracks have resumed with the exception of Rockingham, which was hardest hit.

There was a bit of flooding in NSW during January, but it was well away from Sydney.

I did a 2-week run there in March a few years ago. No worries with the weather and had a great trip. Hope you will as well.

[elhelmete]

Scanman, this is awesome, thanks so much. I was looking for an all-in-one sked of NSW venues and this is great.

Last time I went I didn't have time to visit anywhere, but did enjoy an afternoon in the TAB next to the hotel.

This time too I learned that my counterpart in Sydney is a fellow horseplayer and when he learned I was too he was eager to accompany me, time allowing.

[Scanman]

I've been to 50-60 tracks, but am no match for the International HorseMan, Scanman. My personal favorite is Hialeah (was there in December of 1987), but that may have been slanted since my home track was Fairmount. Keeneland is the classiest.

On this topic, in the sumer of 1991 or so, I met a retired school teacher from Maryland at the OTB in Fargo (in the Holiday Inn at the time). Quite an interesting gent. He told me he had visited every racetrack in North America except one on Vancouver Island which was only open 2-3 weeks per year. I was filled with envy. Lo and behold, a few months later I open up my latest issue of Horseplayer Magazine, and there was an article on his travels.....I'm sure this guy has been the inspiration of many a "track collector". I'm sure you guys had a great chat. He's certainly someone I would have liked to sit down with and trade stories.

I've still have a ways to go with North America (about 30 in the US, 6 in Canada and 1 in Mexico). BTW, the track on Vancouver Island was Sandown Park. Not sure if they ever ran thoroughbreds, but at the end was conducting harness racing.

Hialeah is a gem and I'm glad to see it going again, but won't re-visit until they run a proper thoroughbred meet.

My day at Fairmount reeked of death. Had a horse breakdown 70 yards from the finish (never good) and it was also the same day Steve Irwin (Crocodile Hunter) got done by the stingray. That being said, it was a fun, "old school" track. I hope they can keep it going.

[Scanman]

Scanman, this is awesome, thanks so much. I was looking for an all-in-one sked of NSW venues and this is great.

Last time I went I didn't have time to visit anywhere, but did enjoy an afternoon in the TAB next to the hotel.

This time too I learned that my counterpart in Sydney is a fellow horseplayer and when he learned I was too he was eager to accompany me, time allowing.My pleasure. Best of luck with setting aside some time to "go racing". You've got lots of options, and if you don't have the chance to get away from the city, Canterbury Park and Warwaick Farm are very good alternatives to the other Sydney tracks.

[Scanman]

Best Track for Race-Watching: Charles Town (ever had dirt fly up and hit you as you stood at the rail??)No dirt, but got hit with a stone watching a quarter horse race as Sun Downs. Was down at the rail and a horse came up the grandstand-side and just after they went by us, I got popped in the check. Thank goodness the stone wasn't too big.

But I agree, watching races at the bullrings can be the best, especially at the top of the stretch.

[Cardus]

Already posted my list, but wanted to add some random thoughts:

Keeneland-Awesome chili dogs, best anywhere. Great venue for racing.

Emerald-Tremendous chili/cheese fries, best food value around. Ripoff admission, and you have to buy a seat upstairs if you want any kind of a view of the track.

Oaklawn-Really good corned beef, love a big racetrack crowd.

Del Mar-A must for anyone. Played the horses then swam at Torrey Pines beach in the evening.

Gulfstream-Goofy grandstand, but a really cool bar-like atmosphere. Tote board blocks your view of the backside.

Hialeah-Historic feel, old school.

River Downs-Had a really good Dixieland Band roaming the grandstand the times I was there (88-90)

Monmouth reminded me of old Arlington

I sure miss Sportsman's Park (pre-speedway era)

Views of backsides should never be blocked.

(Particularly in a bar-like atmosphere.)

[camourous]

Trying to remember everywhere ive been..

Philadelphia Park
Delaware Park
Penn National
Meadowlands
Monmouth
Atlantic City
Freehold
GArden State
HArrahs Chester
Aqueduct
Belmont
Saratoga
Charles Town
OTC in Ocala
Woodbine
Greenwood (was closed down, only a simulcast center when i was there)
Blue Bonnets
Thistledown
Laurel
Pimlico
Rockingham
Dover Downs
Pocono Downs

[HuggingTheRail]

I've still have a ways to go with North America (about 30 in the US, 6 in Canada and 1 in Mexico). BTW, the track on Vancouver Island was Sandown Park. Not sure if they ever ran thoroughbreds, but at the end was conducting harness racing.


Sandown Park did run thoroughbreds back in the 1980s, and possibly into the early 90s. When the Hastings Park meet ended in mid October (was called Exhibition Park back then), some of the horrses would go over to Sandown for a 4-6 weekend meet.

[parshooter]

Victoria Park -now Stampede Park ( not currently in use)
Northlands Park
Hastings
Assiniboine Downs
Woodbine
Playfair ( Spokane ) not in use..
Santa Anita - Breeders cup 2008 and a prior visit
Hollywood Park
Turf Paradise ( also in AZ - Phoenix Greyhound Park and Dog track OTB in Apache Junction )
Fairgrounds ( before 1st clubhouse fire)
Calder
Gulfstream Park -- Breeders Cup 1999
Lethbridge
Marquis Downs

Not necessarily in order visited.

[Patrick333]

Finger Lakes - First betBatavia Downs

Monticello

Laurel

Philadelphia Park (PARX Racing) - my home track

Pocono Downs

Monmouth - Not my favorite, but everyone elese seems to like it. It's worth the trip just to go to Max's Hotdogs. They are the worlds best.

Tioga Downs

Belmont

Delaware Park

Dover Downs

Atlantic City

Turfway

Hopefully I'll get to a few more. Hope to hit the Florida tracks soon.
Forgot to put Batavia Downs on my list.

[Scanman]

Re: Eastern Washington State Fairs http://union-bulletin.com/stories/2011/02/11/walla-walla-waitsburg-dayton-horse-races-nixed .

Looks like there's 2 that I won't be getting to (Walla Walla and Waitsburg). Been to Sun Downs (okay, pretty much Charles Town before slots) and Dayton (typical fair meet, alot more cozy, and the track sits at the base of some really picturesque hills).

Of the members who have been to Walla Walla and Waitsburg, what will I be missing out on?

[Cardus]

Re: Eastern Washington State Fairs http://union-bulletin.com/stories/2011/02/11/walla-walla-waitsburg-dayton-horse-races-nixed .

Looks like there's 2 that I won't be getting to (Walla Walla and Waitsburg). Been to Sun Downs (okay, pretty much Charles Town before slots) and Dayton (typical fair meet, alot more cozy, and the track sits at the base of some really picturesque hills).

Of the members who have been to Walla Walla and Waitsburg, what will I be missing out on?

You're going to miss two tracks in North America?

Tomorrow, the sun will rise in the west and set in the east.

[Scanman]

You're going to miss two tracks in North America?

Tomorrow, the sun will rise in the west and set in the east.
Yeah, hate to see the little ones go, especially when it doesn't take all that much to put on a meeting. Evidently, the profitablility of Emerald Downs is what drives these meetings. Here's a better article explaining their demise: http://www.thenewstribune.com/2011/02/12/1541887/sun-downs-gets-only-6-dates-for.html .

But I might have the chance at getting one back, as I haven't been to Brockton Fair. I read this earlier today, but forgot to post: http://www.wickedlocal.com/brockton/news/x938335891/George-Carney-hopes-to-bring-horse-racing-back-to-Brockton .

[Track Collector]

Yeah, hate to see the little ones go, especially when it doesn't take all that much to put on a meeting. Evidently, the profitablility of Emerald Downs is what drives these meetings. Here's a better article explaining their demise: http://www.thenewstribune.com/2011/02/12/1541887/sun-downs-gets-only-6-dates-for.html .

But I might have the chance at getting one back, as I haven't been to Brockton Fair. I read this earlier today, but forgot to post: http://www.wickedlocal.com/brockton/news/x938335891/George-Carney-hopes-to-bring-horse-racing-back-to-Brockton .

Thanks for info Scanman. I had already seen the bad new for the Washington State fairs, but the article you provided had info I was not aware of. While Brockton is still not the same as a Northampton Fair experience, it would still be very nice to get racing back there. Racing during the July Brockton Fair would attract the most fans. I made several visits to the 2001 meet, which was the first one since 1972. The newly made portable tote board was the most eye-pleasing one I have ever seen.
I would be surprised if Brockton's purse structure would be acceptable to a long meet (I think it was $3000 to $4000 per race in 2001.). I hope the right things happen to bring back racing!

As to Walla Walla and Waitsburg, the Walla Walla meet was ok, but the betting handles were somewhat low given the amount of folks who attended. Waitsburg was much more rural, and would be my choice if I could only attend one.

At least the Oregon fairs should still be on very solid ground as their funds are derived from a (small) percentage of handle from all the ADWs with wagering hubs in Oregon.

[Zman179]

Decided to post my track list:

Rockingham
Suffolk
Raynham Dogs (no more live racing)
Plainridge
Wonderland Dogs (gone)
Great Barrington (gone)
Northampton (gone)
Twin River Dogs (no more live racing)
Plainfield Dogs (gone)
Shoreline Star Dogs (no more live racing)
Aqueduct
Belmont
Saratoga Flats
Saratoga Harness
Yonkers
Roosevelt (gone)
Monticello
Vernon
Finger Lakes
Aylmer (gone)
Québec
Montréal/Blue Bonnets (gone)
Meadowlands
Freehold
Atlantic City
Garden State (gone)
Philadelphia/Parx
Chester
Penn National
Pocono
Delaware
Dover
Laurel
Pimlico
Timonium
Rosecroft (closed, but could be back)
Pompano
Gulfstream
Sportsman's (gone)
Arlington
Maywood
Turf Paradise
Santa Anita
Hollywood
Los Alamitos
Bay Meadows (gone)
Sandown Park (UK)
Ascot
Kempton
Lingfield
Walthamstow Dogs (gone)
Wimbledon Dogs
Vincennes
Longchamp
Auteuil
Lyon-Parilly
Enghien
Saint-Cloud
Maisons-Laffitte
Compiègne

Honorable mention to:
Greenwood (went right next door to the OTB when the grandstand was still there)
Bridgeport, Milford and Dania Jai-Alai (great game to watch in person)

[judd]

mountaineer
hialea
meadows (harness)
pompano (harness)

[lamboguy]

Decided to post my track list:

Rockingham
Suffolk
Raynham Dogs (no more live racing)
Plainridge
Wonderland Dogs (gone)
Great Barrington (gone)
Northampton (gone)
Twin River Dogs (no more live racing)
Plainfield Dogs (gone)
Shoreline Star Dogs (no more live racing)
Aqueduct
Belmont
Saratoga Flats
Saratoga Harness
Yonkers
Roosevelt (gone)
Monticello
Vernon
Finger Lakes
Aylmer (gone)
Québec
Montréal/Blue Bonnets (gone)
Meadowlands
Freehold
Atlantic City
Garden State (gone)
Philadelphia/Parx
Chester
Penn National
Pocono
Delaware
Dover
Laurel
Pimlico
Timonium
Rosecroft (closed, but could be back)
Pompano
Gulfstream
Sportsman's (gone)
Arlington
Maywood
Turf Paradise
Santa Anita
Hollywood
Los Alamitos
Bay Meadows (gone)
Sandown Park (UK)
Ascot
Kempton
Lingfield
Walthamstow Dogs (gone)
Wimbledon Dogs
Vincennes
Longchamp
Auteuil
Lyon-Parilly
Enghien
Saint-Cloud
Maisons-Laffitte
Compiègne

Honorable mention to:
Greenwood (went right next door to the OTB when the grandstand was still there)
Bridgeport, Milford and Dania Jai-Alai (great game to watch in person)
very impressive list

[Scanman]

Another little guy, North Dakaota Horse Park, couldn't make it back to the races this year http://www.bismarcktribune.com/news/state-and-regional/article_b7371a6a-39e4-11e0-99d8-001cc4c03286.html . Just as well, wasn't planning a trip to Fargo this year. But if they go in 2012, I'll try to get up there.

[Jay Trotter]

Another little guy, North Dakaota Horse Park, couldn't make it back to the races this year http://www.bismarcktribune.com/news/state-and-regional/article_b7371a6a-39e4-11e0-99d8-001cc4c03286.html . Just as well, wasn't planning a trip to Fargo this year. But if they go in 2012, I'll try to get up there.

Too bad Scanman -- ND Horse Park is only a couple hours from ASD -- you could've made the Trifecta on your ASD/Melville visit!

[Scanman]

Too bad Scanman -- ND Horse Park is only a couple hours from ASD -- you could've made the Trifecta on your ASD/Melville visit!Yeah, I'm still "piecing" that trip together. Looking forward to it.

[Jay Trotter]

Yeah, I'm still "piecing" that trip together. Looking forward to it.

Here's one I don't see on your list: Rocky Mountain Turf Club at Whoop-up Downs in Lethbridge, Alberta. They will be running on September 16, 17 & 18th.

Whoop-up Downs -- how can you go wrong?

[Scanman]

Here's one I don't see on your list: Rocky Mountain Turf Club at Whoop-up Downs in Lethbridge, Alberta. They will be running on September 16, 17 & 18th.

Whoop-up Downs -- how can you go wrong?Good looking out, thanks. I have Lethbridge on my radar, but wanted to pair it up with the 1-day meet at Millarville (always on July 1st-Canada Day). This year, those 2 tracks could be my "July 4th" extended weekend trip.

[Jay Trotter]

Here's a big shout out to my special house guest this upcoming weekend, our very own Scanman, Thomas Miscannon.

Awhile back I posted an open invitation if he ever made a visit to my home track, Assiniboia Downs, not really thinking he would take me up on it. Well, low and behold he does! So this Friday, Tom arrives in Winnipeg where we'll enjoy an evening at ASD and then we're off to a venue I've never even heard about, the Melville Fair & Parimutuel Horse Racing meet. These will be Tracks #298 & #299 for Tom.

ASD, the little track that cares, is pulling out all the stops for Tom, including dinner, a tour hosted by the CEO and the honor of being the Presenter for the nights feature, The Matron Stakes. ASD has a live video feed, so tune in to see Scanman in the Winner's Circle.

I invite all PaceAdvantage members who call ASD home to give Thomas a hearty welcome if they're at the track on Friday. It should be a fun time!

With the permission of ASD, please find attached the program for Race 7 -- The Matron.

Welcome to Manitoba Tom and thanks to PaceAdvantage for allowing us to connect and make this possible. :ThmbUp:

[wisconsin]

Since this popped up, gotta update and add this years visits

Indiana Downs
Churchill Downs
Ellis Park
Saratoga
Finger Lakes

and this Saturday:

Kentucky Downs

[don23]

Started with the pacers and trotters, then graduted to the thoroughbreds.

Blue Bonnets in all configurations, 1/2 mile pacers, 5/8 thoroughbreds, 3/4 mile pacers, and a name change to Hippodrome d'Montreal.
Richelieu Racetrack, long gone, home of Canada's first sub-2:00 pacing mile.
Connaught Park, in Aylmer, Quebec across the river from Ottawa
Rideau-Carleton
Quinte, about 20 miles west of Kingston, raced a few weeks in the summer in the 80s
Flamboro, still active and very entertaining harness track
Saratoga Harness
Malone County Fair, harness races 5 days per year
Ormstown Fair had pari-mutuel harness racing 1 day a year for 4 years.

Saratoga, love this place
Aqueduct, don't like this one at all
Mountaineer, the simulcast has a great selection of greyhound tracks
Assiniboia, nice friendly track

Short list, but then I took 30 years off to go farming and raise a family.

[Scanman]

Here's a big shout out to my special house guest this upcoming weekend, our very own Scanman, Thomas Miscannon.

Awhile back I posted an open invitation if he ever made a visit to my home track, Assiniboia Downs, not really thinking he would take me up on it. Well, low and behold he does! So this Friday, Tom arrives in Winnipeg where we'll enjoy an evening at ASD and then we're off to a venue I've never even heard about, the Melville Fair & Parimutuel Horse Racing meet. These will be Tracks #298 & #299 for Tom.

ASD, the little track that cares, is pulling out all the stops for Tom, including dinner, a tour hosted by the CEO and the honor of being the Presenter for the nights feature, The Matron Stakes. ASD has a live video feed, so tune in to see Scanman in the Winner's Circle.

I invite all PaceAdvantage members who call ASD home to give Thomas a hearty welcome if they're at the track on Friday. It should be a fun time!

With the permission of ASD, please find attached the program for Race 7 -- The Matron.

Welcome to Manitoba Tom and thanks to PaceAdvantage for allowing us to connect and make this possible. :ThmbUp:
I am incredibly grateful for your offer, generousity, and going "above and beyond the call" to what is looking like what will be an exceptional racing experience. Pre-trip, ASD has been great!!! I'm sure the visit will exceed any of my expectations. There's only been one other track that has mirrored this expectional treatment and that was Taby in Stockholm, Sweden. Many others have treated me extremely well, but these two will stand out.

Also many thanks to PaceAdvantage. I'm a member of a few others, but this one is the best. Great group of posters to learn from and to learn with.

[cosmo96]

River Downs, Beulah Park, Turfway Park, Lebanon Raceway, Scioto Downs, Delaware Fair, Pompano Park, Indiana Downs, Hoosier Park, Churchill Downs,
Keenland, Presque Isle, Finger Lakes, Saratoga, Charles Town, Suffolk, Gulf Stream, Arlington, Mountaineer, Saratoga Harness.

[turninforhome10]

Tracks I have raced at
Prairie Meadows- Best back side kitchen
Fonner Park- In the middle of nowhere during a blizzard, 30k worth of fans showed up for opening day.
Canterbury Park- Love the backside for training, no cars.
Arlington Park- Very nice
Hoosier Park- HBPA takes good care of the backside workers.
Charles Town- Had a 17.1 hand horse that loved the bullring.
Penn National- The armpit of the East
Laurel Park- Ok track, good crab cakes.

Tracks I have visited
Belmont- It is huge.

[Track Collector]

Here's a big shout out to my special house guest this upcoming weekend, our very own Scanman, Thomas Miscannon.

Awhile back I posted an open invitation if he ever made a visit to my home track, Assiniboia Downs, not really thinking he would take me up on it. Well, low and behold he does! So this Friday, Tom arrives in Winnipeg where we'll enjoy an evening at ASD and then we're off to a venue I've never even heard about, the Melville Fair & Parimutuel Horse Racing meet. These will be Tracks #298 & #299 for Tom.

ASD, the little track that cares, is pulling out all the stops for Tom, including dinner, a tour hosted by the CEO and the honor of being the Presenter for the nights feature, The Matron Stakes. ASD has a live video feed, so tune in to see Scanman in the Winner's Circle.

I invite all PaceAdvantage members who call ASD home to give Thomas a hearty welcome if they're at the track on Friday. It should be a fun time!

With the permission of ASD, please find attached the program for Race 7 -- The Matron.

Welcome to Manitoba Tom and thanks to PaceAdvantage for allowing us to connect and make this possible. :ThmbUp:

Melville has been on my radar recently, so let me know what you and Scanman think. Race Track visitor and story teller McChump (Terry Bjork) described the wagering handle from a places like this as coming from the loose change locals found in under their sofa cushions. This seems to apply here as I recall individual race pools (including exotics) to be in the $300 range, so you will not be able to pound your favorite selections as heavily. :D

[Jay Trotter]

Melville has been on my radar recently, so let me know what you and Scanman think. Race Track visitor and story teller McChump (Terry Bjork) described the wagering handle from a places like this as coming from the loose change locals found in under their sofa cushions. This seems to apply here as I recall individual race pools (including exotics) to be in the $300 range, so you will not be able to pound your favorite selections as heavily. :D

I'm interested to see what the PPs will look like! :eek:

[thespaah]

Stumbled upon this thread....
And here's the list..
I'll start south and work my way north...
Gulfstream, Hialeah, Calder, Tampa Bay, Pompano Park (H).
Former Birmingham Turf Club
Lone Star Park.
Colonial Downs, Keeneland.
Pimlico, Laurel. Freestate(H)( Now Rosecroft)
Scioto Downs(H)
Dover Downs(H)....Brandywine(H)...Now a shopping mall
Delaware Park....
Philly Park....Now Parx..Meadows(H)...Pocono Downs(H)....Was a dump then..Now it's a casino..I guess Mohigan Sun has put some bucks into it...
Garden State...Now a ...What is it now?...It ain't a racetrack
Atlantic City, Freehold(H) Monmouth, Meadowlands.
All Three NYRA tracks...Yonkers (H)...Roosevelt(H) now a shopping mall and condo complex ...Seems I have an affect on tracks. Some of the ones I have gone to ,someone lives there or buys their Christmas presents there.....Ouch
Saratoga (H)......
Jeez that's over 20 tracks.....What a degenerate....LOL!!!!

[Rise Over Run]

Grew up in the Baltimore area - Laurel, Pimlico, Timonium, Penn National, Charles Town and Delaware Park in the late 80's and 90s

Lived in western PA for a few years - Meadows and Mountaineer Park

Currently live in NJ - Monmouth Park, Philly Park / Parx, Meadowlands (harness only), Belmont Park, and Aqueduct. Never made it to GSP and hope to hit ACRC nex year.

Business travel visits - Louisiana Downs, Rockingham Park (t-bred days), Fonner Park, and Saratoga

Dog tracks - Wheeling Downs and one of the tracks in Boston before they closed, can't remember the name.


Top three I really want to see some day - Keeneland, Woodbine, and Santa Anita.

[thespaah]

Since we're throwing the Dogs..
Hollywood FL, Orange Park in St Johns County and Derby Lane in St.Pete.
Hitting Fort Myers in December.

[Jay Trotter]

Scanman (left) and Jay Trotter (right) at Assiniboia Downs.

Tom, thanks for allowing me to share in your adventure at ASD & Melville!

Best of luck with Track #300 in the Czech Republic! :ThmbUp:

[wisconsin]

Just got back from Kentucky Downs. People, put this unique track on your bucket list. There is not track around the USA like it. Quaint yet fun, and at the same time, strange because of it's layout. You will not regret it.

[Shemp Howard]

I still have my "lifetime pass" to Agua Caliente. Meet a woman named Trixie at the clubhouse bar there one weekend:kiss:

[Elliott Sidewater]

Let's see:

Harness - Brandywine, Liberty Bell, Meadowlands
t-breds -
NJ - Atl, Mth, GS, Med
PA - Key, Lib, Pen
Del - Delaware Park
Md - Bow, Lrl, Pim
FL - Crc
WA - Longacres
CA - Del Mar, Hol (with Tom Brohamer), SA (with Quinn and Brohamer)
NY - Aqu, Bel, Sar

France - Longchamp (45 minutes between races, seemed like an eternity)

My first track was Mth in the summer of 67. All it took was one day and I was hooked.

Elliott

[jdhanover]

I've been to about 55 harness/t'bred tracks in my time. A few highlights:

Arlington - home track; great facility. Nicest new track that I have seen

Saratoga - you can feel the long history

Del Mar - not quite SAR but history does oooze

Santa Anita - very nice

Pimlico- when I was there (20 years ago or so) it was a disgusting dump. My wife still jokes about it.

Mountaineer - liked the feel of the place for some reason

Churchill - been there once - cashed tix in 8 of 9 races. Havent ever done that again

Roosevelt - fond memories of being there with Dad

Garden State - was a nice track but was mismanaged from Day 1

Sha Tin (Hong Kong) - neat to be there

Epsom (UK) - Bet Steve Cauthen's horse at 3/1 with the bookies. Eventually his odds would drop to 7/5. Wins and I figured I was super smart to have gotten 3/1

And I still look to add more when possible. Added Arapahoe Park this year to the list.

[jasperson]

Aurora downs
Washington park
Maywood
Sportsmans
Hawthrone
Santa Anita
Hollywood park
Los Alemeda
Golden Gate
Fresno
Canterbury
Ruidoso
Batavia
Hinsdale NH
Rockingham
Fairmont park
Fairgrounds
Jefferson Downs
Trinity Meadows
Lone star
Remington
Louisana
Rockingham
Suffolk
Foxboro my favorite before it closed

[jasperson]

Let's see:

Harness - Brandywine, Liberty Bell, Meadowlands
t-breds -
NJ - Atl, Mth, GS, Med
PA - Key, Lib, Pen
Del - Delaware Park
Md - Bow, Lrl, Pim
FL - Crc
WA - Longacres
CA - Del Mar, Hol (with Tom Brohamer), SA (with Quinn and Brohamer)
NY - Aqu, Bel, Sar

France - Longchamp (45 minutes between races, seemed like an eternity)

My first track was Mth in the summer of 67. All it took was one day and I was hooked.

Elliott
You have been to more track than I have, but I didn't count the county fair track that I have been to. I forgot to put in Newmarket also.

[Scanman]

Melville has been on my radar recently, so let me know what you and Scanman think. Race Track visitor and story teller McChump (Terry Bjork) described the wagering handle from a places like this as coming from the loose change locals found in under their sofa cushions. This seems to apply here as I recall individual race pools (including exotics) to be in the $300 range, so you will not be able to pound your favorite selections as heavily. :D
Melville was okay, about what I expected. I've been to a lot of single day/low level/agriculatural community type meets. Some do it really well, seems like Melville tried, but it just didn't come together for them. The visit will be somewhere in my bottom 5.

If you want to get there, you better cross your fingers and hope they can keep it going. Per one of the locals, this year they competed against an unlicensed track on one of the Native American reservations. Slightly better purses at the unlicensed track took horses and riders away from Melville. If they can manage not to compete against another meet, then they should be okay. But if they don't, they won't make it. All in all, I'm glad I made the trip and it was fun to expose Jay Trotter to this type of racing. If you haven't been to Assiniboia Downs, then it would be hard to justify the expense to travel to Melville. But, then again, we are "track collectors". We do some crazy stuff. Here are a few pics:

[Scanman]

A few more of Melville.

[Scanman]

Scanman (left) and Jay Trotter (right) at Assiniboia Downs.

Tom, thanks for allowing me to share in your adventure at ASD & Melville!

Best of luck with Track #300 in the Czech Republic! :ThmbUp:
Thanks for being an absolutely stellar host. You and your family were a huge part of making this an exceptional trip. The ASD visit was incredible and Melville was interesting. I will look forward to meeting up with you again at Chippewa Downs in Belcourt. My very best to you and your family.

[Capper Al]

Planning on going to Tampa Bay Downs this winter. What can you tell me? I believe a lot of cappers here are from that area.

Thanks

[Scanman]

Just got back from Kentucky Downs. People, put this unique track on your bucket list. There is not track around the USA like it. Quaint yet fun, and at the same time, strange because of it's layout. You will not regret it.
Agree completely. It's uniqueness stems from it's start as a "steeplechase only" track and was once called Dueling Grounds. Glad to see that this uncommon racecourse still manages to get a few days each year.

[mistergee]

Planning on going to Tampa Bay Downs this winter. What can you tell me? I believe a lot of cappers here are from that area.

Thanks
what did you need to find out Cap?

[Scanman]

Planning on going to Tampa Bay Downs this winter. What can you tell me? I believe a lot of cappers here are from that area.

Thanks
It can be a tough place to find a winner, but the racecourse is a great place to spend the day. I try to get over to TBD a couple of times each year. It has a nice, old-fashioned type of grandstand and a very appealing paddock. Best time to visit would be late-March or April. With luck, you'll be able to catch one of the Derby preps; the Sam B. Davis or the Tampa Bay Derby.

[Capper Al]

what did you need to find out Cap?

When I visit tracks my main consideration is if it is a good place to spend the day. Of course, I like good races. But when I visit, I'm usually as interested in the atmosphere and the food/clubhouse. Ninety-five percent or more of my wagers are made on the Internet. Visiting a track is a special outing for me.

[Capper Al]

It can be a tough place to find a winner, but the racecourse is a great place to spend the day. I try to get over to TBD a couple of times each year. It has a nice, old-fashioned type of grandstand and a very appealing paddock. Best time to visit would be late-March or April. With luck, you'll be able to catch one of the Derby preps; the Sam B. Davis or the Tampa Bay Derby.

Thanks

[classhandicapper]

Aqueduct
Belmont
Saratoga
Del Mar
Santa Anita
Meadowlands
Monmouth
Delaware
Gulfstream
Churchill Downs

[cj]

Can I count Keystone, Philadelphia Park and Parx?

[Tom]

I've been to two of those!

[jefftune]

Thoroughbred live racing:

AQU, BEL
SAR - every year
PIM
CD
TDN - spent most of my college days there
PID - current home track
HAW
DMR, SA
FE, WO
FL
PEN, PHA
MTN - actually Waterford Park
FLORIDA DOWNS (now Tampa Bay Downs)
COMMODORE DOWNS (Erie, PA)

Harness Tracks, live racing:

MEADOWS
NORTHFIELD - spent most of my college nights there
BUFFALO RACEWAY
DELAWARE (for the Little Brown Jug)
SARATOGA RACEWAY
SPORTMAN'S
FREEHOLD
WHEELING DOWNS

For simulcast only:

Dueling Grounds - now Kentucky Downs
Vernon Downs
Batavia Downs

and a couple dog tracks too!

[reckless]

I know I am late to this thread...

Yikes! I can't believe all the tracks I've been to and how swiftly a misspent youth turned into a misspent adulthood.

The list --thankfully--doesn't include all those jai alai frontons, dog tracks, and simulcast sites I popped into over the years when I was a salesman spending 3-4 days a week on the road.

NY: Belmont Park, Aqueduct, Saratoga, Yonkers (harness), Roosevelt (harness), Monticello (harness), Batavia Downs (harness), Saratoga (harness);

NJ: Monmouth Park, The Meadowlands, Garden State, Atlantic City, Freehold (harness).

Maine: Bangor Downs

Vermont: Green Mountain

New Hampshire: Rockingham Park

Massachusetts: Suffolk Downs, Great Barrington (Fairs), Northampton (Fairs), Brockton (Fairs)

Maryland: Pimlico, Laurel, Timonium (Fairs), Bowie, Rosecroft Raceway (harness)

Pennsylvania: Parx/Philadelphia Park/Keystone, Liberty Bell, Penn National

West Virginia: Charles Town

Delaware: Delaware Park

Florida: Calder, Hialeah, Gulfstream Park, Tampa Bay

California: Santa Anita

Kentucky: Churchill Downs

Louisiana: Fair Grounds, Jefferson Downs

[duncan04]

So far

Turfway
Keeneland
Churchill
River Downs
Hoosier Park
Indiana Downs

[Little Watermelon]

Suffolk, Rockingham, Saratoga, Belmont, Aqueduct, Monmouth, Meadowlands, Philly, Penn National, Delaware, Laurel, Pimlico, Hawthorne, Arlington, Thistledown, Beulah, Turfway, Keeneland, Churchill, Woodbine, Fair Grounds, Santa Anita, Del Mar, Los Alamitos, Goodwood, Salisbury, Windsor, Ascot, Longchamps

[Track Collector]

Melville was okay, about what I expected. I've been to a lot of single day/low level/agriculatural community type meets. Some do it really well, seems like Melville tried, but it just didn't come together for them. The visit will be somewhere in my bottom 5.

If you want to get there, you better cross your fingers and hope they can keep it going. Per one of the locals, this year they competed against an unlicensed track on one of the Native American reservations. Slightly better purses at the unlicensed track took horses and riders away from Melville. If they can manage not to compete against another meet, then they should be okay. But if they don't, they won't make it. All in all, I'm glad I made the trip and it was fun to expose Jay Trotter to this type of racing. If you haven't been to Assiniboia Downs, then it would be hard to justify the expense to travel to Melville. But, then again, we are "track collectors". We do some crazy stuff. Here are a few pics:

Thanks for the excellent pictures from Melville Scanman.........I've come back to re-view these a number of times. :) Do you know anything more about where this "unsanctioned" track was at? You would hope these places would work together so that the horseman would have more opportunities to run for purse money, no matter how small it is.

[toetoe]

Penuelas, somewhere between La Serena and Coquimbo, Chile.

[Scanman]

Thanks for the excellent pictures from Melville Scanman.........I've come back to re-view these a number of times. :) Do you know anything more about where this "unsanctioned" track was at? You would hope these places would work together so that the horseman would have more opportunities to run for purse money, no matter how small it is.
Glad you enjoyed the pics. I think I will start to post of few from each "new" track in the future. I just returned from the Czech Republic and added 3 more while I was there. I hope to post a little something about those this week.

Re: Melville. The "unsanctioned" track was also in Saskatchewan. I think I may have the name of it written down at home. If so, I'll PM you. About working together with the Canadian "First Nations", I agree completely. Jay Trotter and I talked about this while we were there. They have run on Sunday's in the past, but moved to Saturday this year to avoid the "head-to-head" fixture with the First Nations. Hopefully, they can work out a better arrangement with them and keep Melville viable.

[cutchemist42]

Assiniboia-First and home track, just went to 1st race 2 months ago and love this sport now. It was my gf's suggestion and she almost had to drag me to try it out, yet I was in love by my third race.

Hastings-GF had a job/school in Vancouver and we went together. She had no clue Hastings existed too after living there for 8 months until I looked it up. Lots of fun that day, loved the view.


I am planning on visiting Canterbury in a few weeks.

[ElKabong]

practically all in the southwest excluding RP, Delta Downs.....Been to Canterbury (no bueno) as well

Best tracks I've been to are the Louisiana tracks (EVD, LaD, FG). Paddock player-friendly, and the tracks don't gouge you like Lone Star does. My favorite is Evangeline, very nice track, kind of eclectic and a good atmosphere for racing. Then again I liked the old Vangy in Carencro, too

[PoloUK6108]

Suffolk, Rockingham, Saratoga, Belmont, Aqueduct, Monmouth, Meadowlands, Philly, Penn National, Delaware, Laurel, Pimlico, Hawthorne, Arlington, Thistledown, Beulah, Turfway, Keeneland, Churchill, Woodbine, Fair Grounds, Santa Anita, Del Mar, Los Alamitos, Goodwood, Salisbury, Windsor, Ascot, Longchamps

:ThmbUp: Everywhere I must visit someday

[maclr11]

Woodbine, Mohawk, Canterbury, Santa Anita, North Dakota Horse Park, Turf Paradise, Hollywood, Assiniboia, Portage, Miami, Holland, Marquis, Running Aces, Rossburn, Los Alamitos

[Overlay]

Thoroughbred:

River Downs
Turfway Park
Churchill Downs
Keeneland
Ellis Park
Arlington Park
Hawthorne
Balmoral Park
Sportsman's Park
Cahokia Downs
Aqueduct
Belmont Park
Monmouth Park
Calder Race Course
Penn National
Santa Anita
Hollywood Park
Bay Meadows
Delaware Park
The Meadowlands

Standardbred:

Raceway Park
The Red Mile
Louisville Downs
Freehold Raceway
Blue Bonnets (Montreal)
Yonkers Raceway
Roosevelt Raceway
Los Alamitos
Maywood Park
Quad City Downs

Add Saratoga (from 'Toga Party X last year) for me on the thoroughbred side.

Also looking forward to adding others, now that I'm retired.

[thespaah]

This thread is old...
I have no idea if I posted a list..
So here it is.
NYRA( all 3)
Meadowlands
Monmouth
Freehold( before and after the big fire)
AC
Garden State( Old and new)
Roosevelt
Yonkers
Monticello
Saratoga Harness
Green Mountain...As a harness track
Goshen
Vernon Downs
The Meadows
Pocono
Scioto Downs
Keeneland
Keystone/Phila Park
Brandywine
Pimlico
Laurel
Rosecroft( actually it was Free State back then)
Colonial Downs.
Penn National
Birmingham..When it first opened
Tampa bay
Gulfstream
Calder
Pompano Park
Lone Star
Non PM tracks...
Aiken( for the Aiken trials) Talk about a place that just drips "Old Money"..WHEW!!!
Brooklawnwood( Charlotte Steeplechase)
OOPS..One more....The now closed Blue Bonnets Raceway in Montreal..
Hearing a race call in French and English...How weird is that.
Tracks on the old bucket list
Hiaelah...yeah I know it's QH, but who cares.
Churchill
Santa Anita.
Arlington
Woodbine
Wherever Vic S is working..I want to sit and chat with that guy.
Not a track, But Dave Schwartz' house. I want to see his "war room"...

[cj's dad]

Since I last posted I have been to Aqueduct--- It has to be the worst track in America.

[wisconsin]

Since my last update:

LINCOLN RACE COURSE (DEFUNCT)
PRAIRIE MEADOWS
CALDER
PRESQUE ISLE
BELMONT PARK
COLUMBUS
DELAWARE
CHARLES TOWN
LAUREL
PARX

[Some_One]

Woodbine
Del Mar
Longchamp
Flemington
Rosehill
Sha Tin
Happy Valley

[gheuks]

pimlico, laurel, Timonium, Delaware park, penn national, Charlestown, Monmouth, Saratoga, Old Gulfstream.

[gheuks]

Saratoga harness and Hollywood greyhound

[Stillriledup]

Woodbine
Del Mar
Longchamp
Flemington
Rosehill
Sha Tin
Happy Valley

You've been to the Tin? How was that experience?

[thespaah]

Since I last posted I have been to Aqueduct--- It has to be the worst track in America.
Worse than Beulah?

[thespaah]

Woodbine
Del Mar
Longchamp
Flemington
Rosehill
Sha Tin
Happy Valley
Ahh. International racing...yeah. Just once I would like to experience Hong Kong or one of the major tracks in Japan. 50,000 people on any given race day. betting tens of millions.

[LottaKash]

YONKERS (saw first race there 1972), Roosevelt, Freehold, Liberty Bell Park, Garden State Park, Rosecroft, Atlantic City, Colonial Downs, Freestate Raceway, Delaware Park, Laurel, Lincoln Downs, Green Mountain, Rockingham, Buffalo Raceway, Batavia Downs, Vernon Downs, Brandywine Raceway, Monticello, Goshen, Sportsmans Park, Maywood Park, Blue Bonnets, Hippodrome de Montreal, Ocean Downs, Georgetown Raceway, Harrington Raceway, The Meadows, The Meadowlands, Pocono Downs, Pompano Park, Scioto Downs, Derby Lane (dogs Tampa), West Palm Kennel, Wonderland Park (dogs Boston), ..

Almost made it to the Grand National one year while visiting, but the car broke down, so I bet with the Book, and most of my plays fell down jumping the bushes...:D

[Stillriledup]

YONKERS (saw first race there 1972), Roosevelt, Freehold, Liberty Bell Park, Garden State Park, Rosecroft, Atlantic City, Colonial Downs, Freestate Raceway, Delaware Park, Laurel, Lincoln Downs, Green Mountain, Rockingham, Buffalo Raceway, Batavia Downs, Vernon Downs, Brandywine Raceway, Monticello, Goshen, Sportsmans Park, Maywood Park, Blue Bonnets, Hippodrome de Montreal, Ocean Downs, Georgetown Raceway, Harrington Raceway, The Meadows, The Meadowlands, Pocono Downs, Pompano Park, Scioto Downs, Derby Lane (dogs Tampa), West Palm Kennel, Wonderland Park (dogs Boston), ..

Almost made it to the Grand National one year while visiting, but the car broke down, so I bet with the Book, and most of my plays fell down jumping the bushes...:D


Big harness racing fan i see...your handle is named after a Clint Galbraith horse, no?

[LottaKash]

Big harness racing fan i see...your handle is named after a Clint Galbraith horse, no?

Yes SRU, you have earned 10 credits....Yeah Galbraith, had a horse that I kashed on at Vernon one year..."Lottakash"

My handle wouldn't be, because of my wealth, it was the horse, of course :jump:

P.S. How could I leave out one of my all-time favorites "Monmouth Park", I was a Saturday regular there, for years !

Oh and Belmont, and Aqueduct, how could I forget those two, too...

[HuggingTheRail]

Well, my list is small, and eclectic: Hastings Park, Sandown Park (closed), Longacres, Kin Park, Sunflower Downs, and Desert Park. :D
Oh, and Fraser Downs for the buggies...

Really should drive down to Emerald Downs next year...

[wisconsin]

In addition to the flats...

Harness:

Sportsman's
Washington
Maywood
Aurora Downs
Walworth Co. Fair-no betting
Wisconsin Valley Fair (Wausau) no-betting

Dogs:

Dairyland
Geneva Lakes
Dubuqe
Sanford Orlando

[cj's dad]

Worse than Beulah?

Never been there and have no desire to do so.

[cnollfan]

In chronological order as best as I can remember:

Centennial (closed)
La Mesa Park (closed)
Laurel
Pimlico
Ak-Sar-Ben (closed)
Del Mar
Albuquerque
Aqueduct
Bowie (closed)
Garden State (closed)
Fonner
Arlington
Hialeah
Delaware
Saratoga
Monmouth
Oaklawn
Timonium
Belmont
Rockingham (closed)
Churchill Downs
Brush, Colo.
Fair Grounds
Lincoln State Fair (closed)
Delta Downs
Park Jefferson (closed)
Atokad (closed)
Calder
Gulfstream
Waterford Park (now Mountaineer)
Keeneland
Arapahoe Park
Fort Erie
Adams County Fairgounds, Colo.
Santa Fe Downs (closed)
Columbus
Remington Park
Prairie Meadows
Woodlands (closed)
Sportsman's Park (closed)
Lone Star
Ellis Park
Beulah Park
Hawthorne
Canterbury Park
Suffolk
Golden Gate
Tampa Bay Downs
Jefferson Downs, but not on a live racing day (closed)

[andtheyreoff]

My list:
Aqueduct
Belmont
Saratoga
Monmouth
Meadowlands
The track formerly known as Philadelphia Park
Suffolk
Delaware
Saratoga Harness
Freehold
Santa Anita
Arlington

Since this post:
Woodbine
Del Mar
Turf Paradise (simulcast, no live racing going on)
Laurel

[cnollfan]

Turf Paradise

[wiffleball whizz]

Too many (291) to post a comment with, but will try to add to other posts. I tried different ways to post this without making it such a large post, but couldn't put it into columns. Anyway, here goes.

United States
Aiken
Ak-Sar-Ben
Anthony Downs
Aqueduct
Arapahoe Park
Arlington Park
Atlantic City
Bay Meadows
Belmont Park
Belmont Plantation
Beulah Park
Birmingham
Calder
Callaway Gardens
Canterbury Park
Charles Town
Charlotte
Churchill Downs
Cochise County Fair
Colonial Downs
Dayton
Del Mar
Delaware Park
Delta Downs
Ellis Park
Emerald Downs
Eureka Downs
Evangeline Downs
Fair Grounds
Fair Hill
Fair Meadows
Fairmount Park
Far Hills
Finger Lakes
Flagstaff
Fonner Park
Foxfield
Garden State Park
Genesse Valley
Gillespie County Fair
Golden Gate Fields
Grand National
Great Lakes Downs
Great Meadow
Gulfstream Park
Hawthorne
Hialeah Park
Hollywood Park
Hoosier Downs
Horseman's Park
Indiana Downs
Jefferson Downs
Keeneland
Kentucky Downs
Kingston Downs
Laurel
Les Bois Park
Lincoln State Fair
Little Everglades
Lone Star Park
Longacres
Los Alamitos
Louisiana Downs
Meadowlands
Middleburg
Mohave County Fair
Monmouth Park
Montpelier
Mount Pleasant Meadows
Mountaineer Park
Movern Park
Oaklawn Park
Ocala
Palm Beach
Penn National
Percy Warner
Philadelphia Park
Pimlico
Pinnacle
Portland Meadows
Prairie Meadows
Presque Isle Downs
Radnor
Remington Park
Retama Park
Rillito Park
River Downs
Sacramento
Sam Houston
Santa Anita Park
Saratoga
Shawan Downs
Solano
Springdale
Stockton
Stoneybrook
Suffolk Downs
Sun Downs
Sunland Park
Sunray Park
Tampa Bay Downs
Tanglewood Park
Thistledowns
Tillamook Fair
Timonium
Tryon
Turf Paradise
Turfway Park
Unionville
Willowdale
Winterthur
Yavapai Downs
Zia Park

United Kingdom
Aintree
Ascot
Ayr
Bangor-On-Dee
Bath
Beverly
Carlisle
Cartmel
Catterick
Cheltenham
Chepstow
Chester
Doncaster
Downpatrick
Down Royal
Edinburgh
Epsom
Exeter
Fakenham
Ffos Las
Folkestone
Fontwell Park
Goodwood
Great Yarmouth
Hamilton
Haydock Park
Hereford
Hexham
Huntingdon
Kelso
Kempton Park
Leicester
Lingfiled Park
Ludlow
Market Rasen
Newbury
Newcastle
Newmarkeet
Newton Abbot
Nottingham
Perth
Plumpton
Pontefract
Redcar
Ripon
Sandown Park
Sedgefield
Southwell
Stratford
Taunton
Thirsk
Towcester
Uttoxeter
Warwick
Wetherby
Wincanton
Windsor
Wolverhampton
Worcester
York

Germany
Bad Harzburg
Baden-Baden
Cologne
Dortmund
Dresden
Dusseldorf
Erbach
Frankfurt
Gelsenkirchen
Grossenkneten
Halle
Hannover
Hasslock
Herschberg
Herxhim
Honzrath
Karlsruhe
Krefeld
Lebach
Magdeburg
Mannheim
Meissenheim
Mulheim
Munich
Neuss
Quakenburck
Saarbrucken
Sonsbeck
Walldorf
Zwibrucken

Australia
Ascot
Bunbury
Canberra
Canterbury Park
Carnarvon
Chinchilla
Crookwell
Dongara
Eagle Farm
Exmouth
Gilgandra
Goulburn
Hawkesbury
Kembla Grange
Mareeba
Muswellbrook
Newcastle
Nowra
Orange
Queanbeyan
Randwick
Rosehill Gardens
Sunshine Coast
Townsville
Wagga Wagga
Warwick Farm
Wyong
Yass

France
Amiens
Auteuil
Chalons-en-Champange
Chantilly
Compiegne
Deauville
Dieppe
Enghien
Evreux
Le Lion-d'Angers
Le Touquet
Longchamp
Maisons-Laffitte
Montier-en-Der
Nancy
Saint Cloud
Strasbourg
Wissembourg

Ireland
Ballinrobe
Bellewstown
Clonmel
Cork
Curragh
Dundalk
Galway
Kilbeggan
Laytown
Leopardstown
Naas
Navan
Roscommon
Sligo
Thurles
Tipperary
Tralee

Canada
Evergreen Park
Fort Erie
Hastings Park
Kin Park
Marquis Downs
Northlands Park
Woodbine

Belgium
Ghlin
Groenendaal
Oostende
Sterrebeek
Waregem

Switzerland
Aarau
Dielsdorf
Saignelegier
Saint Moritz

Sweden
Jagersro
Stromsholm
Taby

Italy
Naples
Varese

Spain
Dos Hermanas
La Zarzuela

Mexico
Agua Caliente

Netherlands
Duindigt



WTF?!?!??? Can I get a ATLANTIC CITY trip report?

[Scanman]

WW - I'll catch up with you when I get back. I'm currently on walkabout in Australia visiting 22 tracks. If you interested, here's the itinerary:

Seymour---------315---12/19/13
Yarra Valley------316---12/20/13
Terang-----------317---12/21/13
Horsham---------318---12/22/13
Kyneton Park----319---12/23/13
Sale--------------320---12/24/13
Drouin------------321---12/26/13
Cranbourne------322---12/27/13
Mansfield---------323---12/28/13
Mornington-------324---12/29/13
Ararat Park-------325---12/30/13
Echuca------------326---12/31/13
Hanging Rock----327---01/01/14
Geelong-----------328---01/02/14
Wangaratta-------329---01/03/14
Dederang---------330---01/04/14
Woolamai---------331---01/05/14
Stony Creek------332---01/06/14
Gawler------------333---01/08/14
Penola-------------334---01/09/14
Morphettville------335---01/11/14
Strathalbyn-------336---01/12/14

The last one will be #50 in Australia. Living the dream!!!!

[FiveWide]

Wow Scanman! I had no idea there were so many racetracks in the world. Very impressive list you've attained. Sounds like a fun hobby though.


-Five

[Redboard]

Churchill Downs - I like the position of the paddock. You can get a good look at all of the entrants. The Kentucky Derby hall of fame is second to none. Much better than Saratoga's hall of fame.

Keenland - Great track and a very friendly crowd. One of the best things about travelling to here or Churchill, is the way the whole area is into it. You hear horse racing on sports-talk stations and articles in the major newspapers.

Parx - Very nearby and one of the most successful racinos ever. I visit this place often at lunchtime. I appreciate the way they let me bring my backpack and own food with me. Buy a cup of coffee, make some small bets, relax, read the paper.

Chester Downs - They do not hold thoroughbred races, only sulkies. I like their OTB but it used to be the whole first floor. Now we have to share it with card players. Still get a nice view of the Delaware river from the OTB. They let you bet $1 on some races like NYRA and Gulfstream, Parx has a $2 limit. They don't let you bring a backback.

Atlantic City - I've been here only once and that was this year. They run turf races only and 90% of the card had never raced on turf because they were mostly from Parx which doesn't hold many turf races. Handicapping was perplexing to say the least but I ended up betting on any horse that had raced on turf before and did pretty good. My wife mentioned the way the crowd was really into the races. Everyone would crowd around the paddock and follow the horses to the track.

Saratoga - My favorite, very dear to my heart. The whole area is awesome for vacationing in the summer. There is so much to do, but, and here's the best part, nothing for kids! My only complaint is the condition of the ground floor paving. They need to upgrade to some kind of tile floor.

Belmont - Only once for the 2005 breeders cup. Saint Liam.

Tampa Bay downs - Traffic can be nuts on the Tampa Bay derby day. Just don't have the infrastructure to handle large crowds.

Gulfstream - My wife likes the upgrade they did including the boutique shops. Most people, I believe, hate it but since I've never been to the "old" Gulfstream, I can't complain.

Delaware Park - Beautiful track but unfortunately their heyday is over. For years, out-of-staters jumped on Route 95(Pennsylvanians went south, Marylanders north) and drove here to throw money in slot machines before their own states legalized it. Don't know how long they'll continue to offer that big purse on Delaware Handicap day. I believe it's more than they offer combined the rest of the meet.

Pimlico - I've only been to this track once when I'll Have Another won.

[cutchemist42]

Assiniboia-First and home track, just went to 1st race 2 months ago and love this sport now. It was my gf's suggestion and she almost had to drag me to try it out, yet I was in love by my third race.

Hastings-GF had a job/school in Vancouver and we went together. She had no clue Hastings existed too after living there for 8 months until I looked it up. Lots of fun that day, loved the view.


I am planning on visiting Canterbury in a few weeks.

Updated

Canterbury

GF and I added the afternoon trip when we were down there for Blue Jays baseball with friends. We were used to the tracks being closer to get to, but didn't mind the drive from downtown Minneapolis. Time was limited, we were only there for 4 races but we both enjoyed the track. Caught a Mystic Lake Derby tshirt giveway being thrown into the crowd too. It was funny because I had about 20 people come up and congratualte me on the solid one handed catch.