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View Full Version : Just visited Delaware Park with no expectations and was pleasantly surprised!


Neumeier
06-22-2015, 05:39 PM
Has anyone been to Delaware Park? I took the 4 hour drive the other day for a charity event.

I don't think I've ever made a bet on that track in my life. I figured it was a dumpy track but to my surprise the place was awesome! The track was absolutely gorgeous, had a beautiful paddock area and was very clean.

Curious to see what other people thought of this place. It's definitely worth a trip if you are in the area.

dilanesp
06-22-2015, 05:59 PM
Has anyone been to Delaware Park? I took the 4 hour drive the other day for a charity event.

I don't think I've ever made a bet on that track in my life. I figured it was a dumpy track but to my surprise the place was awesome! The track was absolutely gorgeous, had a beautiful paddock area and was very clean.

Curious to see what other people thought of this place. It's definitely worth a trip if you are in the area.

I had a similar experience at Laurel. I'd been to Pimlico (which is famously a complete trash heap) and figured Laurel would be a suburban version of Pimlico. Turns out Laurel is a beautiful track surrounded by a forest with a bucolic atmosphere. Great place to see the races.

happy camper
06-22-2015, 08:22 PM
I was in the area a week before racing started, but stopped by. It was a lot better than I expected. I envisioned it being like Parx, but was wrong.

gheuks
06-22-2015, 08:47 PM
Great track/racino. Beautiful paddock. Only issue is lots of scratches and short fields.

Tom
06-22-2015, 09:30 PM
Delaware was a great place when i was there years ago. Remined me of Saratoga.

pandy
06-22-2015, 09:47 PM
I really like the track, too. I've never been there when they have a decent crowd, but it's nice.

Hoofless_Wonder
06-22-2015, 10:36 PM
I visited Delaware Park back in the early 90s, and it would still be in my top 5 or 10 tracks for in the category of "Physical Setting and Facility". Not as nice as the Spa or Keeneland but less crowded. Hialeah, Mountaineer, and the St. Croix dog track in the same boat.

Neumeier
06-22-2015, 11:05 PM
Delaware was a great place when i was there years ago. Remined me of Saratoga.

They said they call it Mini Saratoga

Johnny V
06-23-2015, 07:51 AM
I manage to visit Delaware Park a couple of times each racing season and enjoy the track as well. I find the track employees are for the most part pretty friendly. It is a very pleasant place to watch and bet the races.

nads1420
06-23-2015, 08:26 AM
Has anyone been to Delaware Park? I took the 4 hour drive the other day for a charity event.

I don't think I've ever made a bet on that track in my life. I figured it was a dumpy track but to my surprise the place was awesome! The track was absolutely gorgeous, had a beautiful paddock area and was very clean.

Curious to see what other people thought of this place. It's definitely worth a trip if you are in the area.


it was renovated not too long ago. it is a very cool place

Ruffian1
06-23-2015, 08:49 AM
Great place to race. Spent many summers there. The horses like it a lot. Plenty of variety for them to train ,
Training track in the back, long horse paths, open areas to graze them. Paddock is incredible as others have stated.
The milkshakes in the clubhouse were the bomb back in the day. Hope they are still around.

EMD4ME
06-23-2015, 08:52 AM
Haven't been there since 1996 but I had excellent memories of Delaware. I remember walking and seeing a track appear through the forest. It did remind me of Saratoga. I will never forget betting Turnbackthealarm at Saratoga via simulcast while at Delaware.

Definitely a beautiful place. Being from NY, I haven't gone back much. I should.

wisconsin
06-23-2015, 09:56 AM
Loved my visit to Delaware Park. Updated grandstand, cool sports book, awesome paddock. Next time, I'll bring my clubs and golf that course that wraps around the place.

Flysofree
06-23-2015, 10:01 AM
What a good place to stay overnight near Delaware Park? I used to love the place long ago.

bello
06-23-2015, 11:21 AM
Sounds like it has not changed much since they built the casio and that is a good thing.

Real classy old joint, I felt like I was going back in time, Been a couple of decades since my last visit but it was always a stopping ground heading back from a week in Ocean City Md Take a blanket and some chairs in and park myself on a patch of grass between the paddock and the racetrack with the family. Always a fun time for us all.

Johnny V
06-23-2015, 11:23 AM
What a good place to stay overnight near Delaware Park? I used to love the place long ago.
I have stayed at the Hilton, Days Inn, Country Inn and Red Roof. I mostly have stayed at the Red Roof because it is the cheapest and I mostly travel there alone and when alone I don't need much amenities in the way of a room.

castaway01
06-23-2015, 11:53 AM
I have stayed at the Hilton, Days Inn, Country Inn and Red Roof. I mostly have stayed at the Red Roof because it is the cheapest and I mostly travel there alone and when alone I don't need much amenities in the way of a room.

Delaware Park is a very pretty track, especially the paddock area.

I'll second the Red Roof Inn as fine, no-frills lodging if you'd like to save your money for wagering. :)

Redboard
06-23-2015, 02:58 PM
One of my favorite tracks, and somewhat nearby (70 minutes).

I was there on Saturday and racing was surprisingly off-the-turf, which caused a few small fields. Didn't understand it because Saturday is their biggest day, it turned out to be nice weather, and they don't race on Sunday.

I also like the paddock better than Saratoga although, it's a LOT less crowded. My wife and I arrived by the 4th race and there was plenty of space around.

pandy
06-23-2015, 03:07 PM
I should go on a Saturday. I've only been there on weekdays. The last time I went there it was a Monday and the place was dead, except the casino. Very nice track.

Redboard
06-23-2015, 03:17 PM
I should go on a Saturday. I've only been there on weekdays. The last time I went there it was a Monday and the place was dead, except the casino. Very nice track.

Yea, Saturday they have the best racing. I'll probably be there Saturday, if you want to waste money together. :p
We are either going there or Monmouth, not sure yet.

Actually I did pretty good last Saturday and would explain further if it weren't for the rules here against redboarding.
:)

ultracapper
06-23-2015, 05:16 PM
Is that last sentence technically a redboard?

Redboard
06-23-2015, 05:23 PM
Is that last sentence technically a redboard?

Technically no, because I didn't say I actually won money at the track, it could be interpreted as having a good round of golf, or getting lucky with the ladies.

aliancia
06-24-2015, 08:10 PM
Last time I was there was Delaware Handicap day in 1969. Obeah won, ridden by John L. Rotz. Track was nice and there was a big crowd. Obeah won again in 1970 and years later foaled Go For Wand.

dilanesp
06-24-2015, 08:37 PM
Technically no, because I didn't say I actually won money at the track, it could be interpreted as having a good round of golf, or getting lucky with the ladies.

Not sure reboarding about your sex life is permitted here either. :P

happy camper
06-24-2015, 08:43 PM
I didn't know it when I saw it, but they had a steeple course, which you could still make out.

thespaah
06-24-2015, 08:43 PM
I'm quite tired of the term "red boarding"..
As far as I am concerned, one who red board's is in the act of giving out picks AFTER the race has run and of course tells those listening/reading they won their bets.
One who describes a good day at the track is merely sharing a story....
Let's just be clear on that.
On a personal note, I enjoy reading other's accounts of good fortune.

Shemp Howard
06-24-2015, 08:46 PM
Great place to race. Spent many summers there. The horses like it a lot. Plenty of variety for them to train ,
Training track in the back, long horse paths, open areas to graze them. Paddock is incredible as others have stated.
The milkshakes in the clubhouse were the bomb back in the day. Hope they are still around.

Now. the best milkshakes can be had on the backstretch.

Ruffian1
06-25-2015, 08:11 AM
Now. the best milkshakes can be had on the backstretch.

Yeah, I would have bet that was coming . Hope that is not red boarding.;)
But the ones I was talking about made my afternoons enjoyable.
The ones you refer too, helped push me out of the game.

Vinnie
06-25-2015, 09:33 AM
Delaware Park has always been one of my favorite track(s) or experiences when visiting the races. In the late 90's we lived in New Jersey and my wife and I used to take our very young sons along with us just to go out and have some fun, to get a bite to eat and enjoy a nice afternoon. Behind that wood line where you first entered the facility they had pony rides, people making balloon animals, and, a Brass Band that played jazz music within the pavillion or gazebo. It was very cool... :) Also, the paddock, track and just the entire set up had a very eccentric and eclectic, almost old school feel about it as though it was like a slice from out of another time. I have a lot of fond memories from that track.

Honestly, when I moved back down South about a year ago and was driving by on I-95, even though it was fairly early in the morning and the racing had not yet begun for the day, I drove over to DP and got out of the car, walked around inside just to get a mere glimpse of that feeling that I so dearly recollect. "Love that Place"!!! :)

pandy
07-29-2015, 06:34 AM
I've noticed that the field size at Delaware is much improved. I didn't check it much last year but I remember several years where they had a lot of 4 horse fields. This year it seems like they have enough horses. I wonder what they did to improve the horse population.

Johnny V
07-29-2015, 08:22 AM
I've noticed that the field size at Delaware is much improved. I didn't check it much last year but I remember several years where they had a lot of 4 horse fields. This year it seems like they have enough horses. I wonder what they did to improve the horse population.
I think I really started to notice a difference last year. Previously it seemed like they would have almost half the field scratched out of races creating terribly small horse fields. I think they have a new racing secretary as of last year maybe that helped out some.

SuperPickle
07-29-2015, 02:02 PM
Colonial not racing in the summer really saved them. As much people love colonial them not racing might save Delaware.

The only chance Delaware has is to work with Maryland and do a circuit. Pimlico spring, Delaware summer and Laurel in the fall/winter. Each track gets somewhere between 12-18 weeks.

castaway01
07-29-2015, 02:08 PM
Colonial not racing in the summer really saved them. As much people love colonial them not racing might save Delaware.

The only chance Delaware has is to work with Maryland and do a circuit. Pimlico spring, Delaware summer and Laurel in the fall/winter. Each track gets somewhere between 12-18 weeks.

How did Colonial closing save them? Delaware's turf races mostly filled before and Colonial was all-turf.

Delaware's field sizes are somewhat better this year. On the other hand, they couldn't get much worse, so...

SuperPickle
07-29-2015, 02:11 PM
Because there was no Maryland racing in most of May and June allowing them to draw those horses. They saw a boast in field sizes.

pandy
07-29-2015, 02:49 PM
With parx closed in August, that will also help

SuperPickle
07-29-2015, 04:24 PM
I'll sum Delaware up this way. The horse population is definitely less than 1,000. My guess is 700-900. Larry Jones only comes there because they will be him have two full barns next to each other. He's got about 100 horses on site.

If he leaves you lose 10-14% of your population, not to mention most of its quality. Every year at Delaware will come down to "will Larry show."

fasteddied
07-29-2015, 05:22 PM
We just took my 7yo grandaughter there for kids day at the end of may, She LOVED it, lots of fun on the first turn for her and 200 other kids but when my son and her hit a $38 exacta and he split it with her she was all business LOL. It was truly one of my fondest moments I have experienced.

Grits
07-29-2015, 05:25 PM
We just took my 7yo grandaughter there for kids day at the end of may, She LOVED it, lots of fun on the first turn for her and 200 other kids but when my son and her hit a $38 exacta and he split it with her she was all business LOL. It was truly one of my fondest moments I have experienced.

Hope this is only the beginning of wonderful memories at the track with your granddaughter!! :)

fasteddied
07-29-2015, 05:32 PM
Thanks Grits, we are headed to monmouth for 3 days as always for the haskell weekend but this is an adult weekend, sort of hoped the big horse wasnt coming as 40 thousand people is about all we can handle. Not sure what to expect this weekend.

Grits
07-29-2015, 06:15 PM
Thanks Grits, we are headed to monmouth for 3 days as always for the haskell weekend but this is an adult weekend, sort of hoped the big horse wasnt coming as 40 thousand people is about all we can handle. Not sure what to expect this weekend.

NO, BE GLAD HE'S COMING, AND EXPECT HIM TO WIN!!!!

Have great fun... :)

Zydeco
07-29-2015, 09:43 PM
We just took my 7yo grandaughter there for kids day at the end of may, She LOVED it, lots of fun on the first turn for her and 200 other kids but when my son and her hit a $38 exacta and he split it with her she was all business LOL. It was truly one of my fondest moments I have experienced.

This is great!!