Tracks You Have Visited

[hbeck]

List the tracks you have visited (any pari-mutuel track).

I am only 22 so my list is short, I hope to add many many more in the coming years.

Suffolk Downs
Gulfstream Park (post stronach)

Aqueduct
Belmont Park
Saratoga
Northampton Tri County Fair
Ellerslie (Auckland, New Zealand)
Bangalore Turf Club (Bangalore, India)

Yonkers
Meadowlands
Freehold
Rockingham
Saratoga Harness

Wonderland Greyhound
Palm Beach Kennel Club

[Overlay]

Current and Former:

Thoroughbred

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


Standardbred:

Los Alamitos
Raceway Park
The Red Mile
Louisville Downs
Yonkers Raceway
Roosevelt Raceway
Freehold Raceway
Maywood Park
Quad City Downs


Greyhounds:

Dubuque

[Overlay]

Forgot to mention Blue Bonnets in Montreal (standardbred)

[jballscalls]

Been to: Longacres, Yakima Meadows, Playfair, Portland Meadows, Emerald Downs, Hastings, Golden Gate Fields, Bay Meadows, Santa Anita, Los Alamitos, Turf Paradise, Sunland Park, Oaklawn Park, Arlington, Thistledown, Beulah Park, River Downs, Turfway Park, Mountaineer, Keeneland, Churchill, Cal Expo, Multnomah Greyhound.

Called at: River Downs, Portland Meadows, Emerald Downs.

Been in the Parking lot: Hollywood Park, Lone Star

[wolsons]

Flats:

Aqueduct
Belmont
Saratoga
Pimlico
Meadowlands
Monmouth
Arlington
Santa Anita
Hollywood
Green Mountain
Parr Meadows (quarter horses on Long Island, NY - briefly!)
Delaware
Calder
Gulfstream
Hawthorne

Trotters:

Roosevelt
Yonkers
Maywood
Freehold
Meadowlands
Hollywood Park
Monticello
Ocean Downs



Steve

[wolsons]

forgot to mention Golden Gate Fields!

[joeyreb]

Santa Anita
Hollywood Park
Churchill Downs
Lone Star Park
Fair Grounds
LA Downs
Evangeline Downs

Joe
http://www.inside-the-paddock.com/

[cato]

Belmont
Del Mar -- out of season (!)
Hollywood Park
Lone Star Park
Fair Grounds
Louisiana Downs
Oaklawn Park
Thistledowns
Santa Fe Downs
Albuquerque
Ruidoso
Raton (NM)
Centennial (Denver-long closed)
Remington Park

Sandown (something like that) in England

[BillW]

Commodore Downs
Sam Houston
Lone Star
Oaklawn
Charlestown
Laurel
Keeneland
Saratoga
Hollywood
Delta Downs
Old Evangeline Downs
Saratoga Harness
Timonium

Gulf Greyhound

[Binder]

Tracks listed in order of 1st visit

Monmouth
Meadowlands
Belmont
Saratoga
Freehold
Hollywood
Philadelphia
Luarel
Finger Lakes
Pimlico
Delmar

thought Philly would be higher up
on the list

[ranchwest]

Been in the Parking lot: Hollywood Park, Lone Star

What? Did you see the $9 valet parking sign at Lone Star? :lol:

I've been to:

Lone Star Park
Delta Downs
Trinity Meadows
Evangeline Downs (not the new one)
Louisiana Downs
Hollywood Park
Santa Anita
Fair Grounds

In 34 years, you'd think I'd been to more, but I guess that's it.

[DrugSalvastore]

Thoroughbred (I'm probably forgetting a few)

Hialeah
Calder
Saratoga
Thistle
Finger Lakes
Keeneland
Churchill Downs
Pimlico
Commodore Downs (too young to remember, but pictures prove I was there)
Charles Town
Mountaineer
Fort Erie
Tampa
River Downs
Beulah Park
Penn National

Harness

Pompano
The Meadows
Saratoga Harness
The Red Mile
Northfield

Greyhound

Wheeling
Daytona Beach
Tampa
Derby Lane
Jacksonville
Orange Park
Seminole
Hollywood
Flagler
Biscayne
Palm Beach

[bigmack]

Only one of you hooligans have been to Del Mar? If you're ever in SoCal during the meet give me jangle. Turf Club membership offers exponential debauchery with the felines tween the equine studies followed up by a sail on the big water. Jacket required.

[cj]

I refuse to enter dog tracks or jai alai fontons on the grounds I may incriminate myself. I am sure I'll forget a few.

Laurel
Pimlico
Bowie
Timonium
Free State
Rosecroft
Ocean Downs
Philadelphia Park (and Keystone)
Penn National
CharlesTown
Waterford Park (never been to Mountaineer)
The Meadows
Pocono
Liberty Bell
Brandywine
Garden State
Meadowlands
Monmouth
Freehold
Atlantic City
Saratoga
Saratoga harness
Yonkers
Aqueduct
Belmont
Saratoga
Suffolk
Rockingham
Scarborough
Foxboro
Erie Downs (I think that was the name!)
Lone Star
Trinity Meadows
Retama
Bandera
Birmingham (as a t-bred track)
Remington
Will Rogers
Blue Ribbon
Woodlands
Thistledown
Arapahoe
Wyoming Downs
Turf Paradise
Longchamps
Hippodrome de Wallonie a Mons
Hippodrome de Marcq-en-Baroeul
Hippodrome d'Auteuil
Epsom Downs
Churchill

Next planned trip, Iffezheim for the Großer Preis von Baden.

Actually, after seeing this list, my next trip may be to a therapist.

[Greyfox]

You've all got me beat.
But I see at least 6 "dog" tracks on cj's list.
And speaking of that where's banacek and 46Z with
Sage Brush Downs, Kamloops?:lol:

[Fred]

Waterford Park
Pitt Park
Pocono Downs
Latonia
Keystone
Wheeling Downs
Thistle
River
Woodbine
Churchill
Pimlico
Belmont
Monmouth
Meadowlands
Gulfstream
Fairgrounds
Sportsman
Arlington
Fairmount
Keeneland
Ellis
Turfway
Cantebury


Freddy

[JimG]

Pimlico
Laurel
Timonium
Charles Town
Shenandoah Downs
Golden State Park
Turfway Park
Tampa Bay Downs
Fairmount Park
Keeneland
Bowie
Colonial Downs
Delaware Park
Rosecroft
Ocean City

now, dog tracks and jai alai:

Derby Lane
Tampa Dog Track
Sarasota Dogs
Monticello
Jacksonville
Orange Park
Bayard
Tampa Jai Alai
Biscayne Dog Track
Victoryland
Birmingham
Naples-Ft. Meyers
Greenetrack
Daytona Beach
Sanford-Orlando
Ocala Jai Alai

Jim

[tholl]

I refuse to enter dog tracks or jai alai fontons on the grounds I may incriminate myself. I am sure I'll forget a few.

Laurel
Pimlico
Bowie
Timonium
Free State
Rosecroft
Ocean Downs
Philadelphia Park (and Keystone)
Penn National
CharlesTown
Waterford Park (never been to Mountaineer)
The Meadows
Pocono
Liberty Bell
Brandywine
Garden State
Meadowlands
Monmouth
Freehold
Atlantic City
Saratoga
Saratoga harness
Yonkers
Aqueduct
Belmont
Saratoga
Suffolk
Rockingham
Scarborough
Foxboro
Erie Downs (I think that was the name!)
Lone Star
Trinity Meadows
Retama
Bandera
Birmingham (as a t-bred track)
Remington
Will Rogers
Blue Ribbon
Woodlands
Thistledown
Arapahoe
Wyoming Downs
Turf Paradise
Longchamps
Hippodrome de Wallonie a Mons
Hippodrome de Marcq-en-Baroeul
Hippodrome d'Auteuil
Epsom Downs
Churchill

Next planned trip, Iffezheim for the Großer Preis von Baden.

Actually, after seeing this list, my next trip may be to a therapist.


Waterford ? Liberty Bell ? You are old !!! Just kidding of course.

[boomman]

I won't list em all because many of 'em are so small you wouldn't recoignize 'em anyway, but I'm going to estimate (counting greyhound tracks and jaialai fontons) that I have been to around 100...........including Gold Coast Turf Club in Australia, and Flemington, Randwick and Eagle Farm in Australia as well. I hope to get to everyone of 'em in my lifetime.......:)

Boomer

[tholl]

Gulfstream
Hialeah
Fair Grounds
Finger Lakes
Saratoga
Aqueduct
Sam Houston
Belmont
Turfway
Ellis
Keeneland
Kentucky Downs
River Downs
Churchill
Woodbine
Greenwood
Beulah
Thistledowns
Hollywood
The Red Mile
Meadowlands
Scioto Downs
Ascot
Kempton
Sandown
Epsom
Lingfield
Windsor
Plumpton
Fontwell
Goodwood
Salisbury
Wincanton
Taunton
Newton Abbot
Devon And Exeter
Chepstow
Cheltenham
Chester
Hereford
Towcester
Newmarket
Warwick
Newbury
Bath
Salisbury
Southwell
Doncaster
Newcastle
Catterick
Wetherby
Thirsk
Pontefract
York
Thirsk
Redcar
Leopardstown
Naas
Te Rapa
Trentham
Cambridge Harness (NZ)

[cj]

Waterford ? Liberty Bell ? You are old !!! Just kidding of course.

LOL...just started young. I was corrupted by some high school classmates.

[melman]

Hey Craig have a question, been to most on your list but what is Bandera?? Never even heard of that one. :jump: Also question number two, how in the world can Rosecroft stay open? Last Saturday night they had $714 in a race win pool. :jump: Even Saratoga Harness does better than that. :)

[melman]

Also Craig I did not see Woodbine on your list. Plan on making a trip there you will love it. What a GREAT turf course.

[cj]

Bandera Downs was an old track just outside of San Antonio. Mostly Quarterhorses, but they threw a few t-breds.

I have no idea how Rosecroft stays open. I assume they are holding out hoping for slots. How much of that $714 was yours!?

[melman]

:) I don't bother looking at Rosecroft not worth the time. If they are waiting for slots I think they have a problem. The whole state of Maryland as racing problems for that matter. My two fav tracks were the old Brandywine Raceway with the retractable windows and the geese coming into the infield lake on a nice summer night, and Monmouth back in the days before the stopped bothering with maintance. :) Craig you will love Woodbine give it a shot when you get back in the States.

[cj]

I will definitely give WO a try. I don't think I'll go to Wdb.

[tholl]

I forgot: Arlington, Hawthorne, Sportsmans and Lincoln State Fair.

[LutherCalvin]

Arlington Park
Churchill Downs
Detroit Race Course
Hawthorne
Sportsman's Park

[railbird]

let's see;

1..aquaduct
belmont
saratoga
monmuoth
meadowlands
liberty bell... philadelphia park
delaware
laurel
pimlico
mountaineer
yonkers
roosevevelt raceway
ocean city
Pocono Downs
atlantic city
Hippodrome in Montre

[Tom]

Finger Lakes

Fort Erie

Woodbine

Greenwood

Batavia

Buffalo Raceway

Commodore

Saratoga

Tioga

Pocono

Penn

Liberty Bell

Keystone/Philly

Pimlico

Laurel

Detroit

Beulah

Delaware

Keeneland

Vernon Downs

[banacek]

You've all got me beat.
But I see at least 6 "dog" tracks on cj's list.
And speaking of that where's banacek and 46Z with
Sage Brush Downs, Kamloops?:lol:

Okay you want some bush tracks?

Sagebrush
Moose Jaw (I know you enjoy that one Greyfox)
Yorkton
Indian Head (now this is maybe not even a town, but more of a hamlet)
Weyburn
Sandown (Canadian one near Victoria, BC)
Stampede
Hastings
Northlands
Queensbury
Marquis Downs
Assiniboia
and some tiny place in New Brunswick that I can't remember

[billrock]

In alphabetical order:

Batavia Downs
Foxboro Park
Lincoln Greyhound Park
Marshfield (MA) Fair
Plainfield Greyhound Park
Raynham-Taunton Greyhound Park
Rochester (NH) Fair
Rockingham Park
Rosecroft Raceway
Scarborough Downs
Seabrook Greyhound Park
Suffolk Downs
The Meadowlands
Wonderland Greyhound Park

[GaryG]

In the last 45 years I haven't missed many, but here are some of the more interesting and my favorites:

Favorites:
Hialeah
Fair Grounds
Washington Park / Arlington
Keeneland
Del Mar

Interesting:
Bandera Downs
Evangeline
Wyoming Downs
Cahokia
Old Latonia
Exhibition Park
Ak-Sar-Ben
Ruidoso - QH

I guess I am older than I thought!

[trigger]

Finger Lakes

Fort Erie

Woodbine

Greenwood

Batavia

Buffalo Raceway

Commodore

Saratoga

Tioga

Pocono

Penn

Liberty Bell

Keystone/Philly

Pimlico

Laurel

Detroit

Beulah

Delaware

Keeneland

Vernon Downs

I'd bet that you got barred from most of these after one visit.

[the little guy]

I too will not admit to dog tracks....
Aqueduct
Belmont
Saratoga
Gulfstream
Calder
Hialeah
Suffolk Downs
Rockingham Park
Santa Anita
Hollywood Park
Arlington
Portland Meadows
Phili Park
Delaware
Pimlico
Laurel
Monmouth
Garden State
Penn National
The Meadowlands
Woodbine
Great Barrington Fair
Green Mountain
Liberty Bell
River Downs
Keeneland
Churchill Downs
Birmingham
Saratoga Harness
Roosevelt Raceway
Hinsdale
Monticello
Hippodrome de Quebec
Longchamp
Hippodrome d'Auteuil
Saint Cloud
Galway ( Ireland )

[cj]

I too will not admit to dog tracks....
...
Hinsdale
...
Portland Meadows


Isn't Hinsdale dogs?

Portland Meadows? You are sick.

[46zilzal]

Portland Meadows? You are sick.

The Multnomah Kennel club used to run at Portland Meadows

[cj's dad]

Actually, after seeing this list, my next trip may be to a therapist.
[/QUOTE]

no wonder you were never home !!!!! :lol:

MY LIST - FAVORITE TO WORST

KEENELAND
OAKLAWN
SANTA ANITA
SARATOGA
BELMONT
DEL PARK
GULFSTREAM (pre stronach)
FAIRGROUNDS
LAUREL
GARDEN STATE
MONMOUTH
PMILICO
MEADOWLANDS
COLONIAL DOWNS
PHILA PARK
TIMONIUM
FREEHOLD
DELMARVA DOWNS

[the little guy]

Hinsdale used to be a Harness track.

[DrugSalvastore]

The mighty Sal's Fortress, bought for $750 over the internet---won his only career race at Hinsdale. And a brilliant career it was...going 1-for-53.

Needless to say, a female from the same litter, who I had a chance of taking for the same money, won the Hinsdale puppy stakes.

I got a chance to see Sal's Fortress the day I got back in town...my mom's doctor spoils the hell out of him...luckily for him he's her pet and not mine.

[levinmpa]

In order from my first visit.

Santa Rosa
Solano
Golden Gate
Bay Meadows
Pleasanton
Del Mar
Santa Anita
Los Alamitos
Hollywood
Fresno
Fairplex
Sacramento (Cal Expo)
Pimlico
Laurel
Charlestown
Penn National
Garden State
Atlantic City
Monmouth
Delaware
Belmont
Aqueduct
Meadowlands
Hawthorne
Sportsmans
Turfway
Beulah
Rockingham
Suffolk
Timonium

[chickenhead]

damn I'm feelling awfully provincial.....despite what this list implies, I do actually leave CA once in awhile.

Ferndale
Grants Pass
Santa Rosa
Pleasanton
Solano
Cal Expo
Santa Anita
Del Mar
Golden Gate
Bay Meadows

[Wiley]

In order of visit first to last,
Fairmount Park
Ellis Park
Churchill Downs
Pimlico
Belmont
Laurel
Arlington Park
Jefferson Downs
Fairgrounds
Louisiana Downs
Delta Downs
Turf Paradise
Saratoga
Detroit Race Course

Covers about thirty years, I think I need to get out more compared to some of you other guys lists.

[BlueShoe]

You guys make me seem like a stay-at-home-soccer-mom.Since attending my first live card at Santa Anita in 1959(under age) have only gone to tracks in the state of California.The expected SoCal venues;Santa Anita,Hollywood Park,Del Mar,Fairplex,Los Alamitos.In NoCal,the soon to be closed Bay Meadows.Golden Gate is the only major California track that I have not been to.Except for Pomona(Fairplex) have not been to any of the other state fair tracks.Of tracks now gone,did spend some time at old Tanforan,a track in NoCal that many of you have never heard of.Also spent many a day at the old Caliente track,which really was part of the SoCal circuit in its heyday.Not real likely to expand my tracks visited base,although a visit to one of the Fairs or driving over to Phoenix in the winter to catch Turf Paradise is certainly doable.

[schweitz]

In no particular order:

Lone Star Park
Trinity Meadows
Retama Park
Sam Houston
Manor Downs
Bandera Downs
Louisiana Downs
Evangeline (old location and new)
Fair Grounds
Jefferson Downs
Delta Downs
Oaklawn Park
Churchill Downs
Remington Park
Fair Meadows
Canterbury Park
Sportsman Park
Sunland Park
Sun Ray Park
Ruidoso Downs
Santa Anita
Del Mar
Fairplex

So many more to visit---so little time :)

[Zman179]

At risk of gaining "major degenerate" status, here's my list:

First track visited: Roosevelt Raceway (where it all began, where it isn't today)

Then in no particular order:
Suffolk Downs
Rockingham Park
Northampton Fair
Great Barrington Fair
Hippodrome de Montréal (aka Blue Bonnets)
Hippodrome de Québec
Hippodrome d'Aylmer (aka Connaught Park)
Saratoga Racecourse (flats)
Saratoga Raceway (trotters)
Aqueduct Racetrack
Belmont Park
Monticello Raceway
Suffolk Meadows (aka Parr Meadows)
Yonkers Raceway
The Meadowlands
Monmouth Park
Garden State Park
Freehold Raceway
Atlantic City Race Course
Philadelphia Park
Penn National Race Course
Pocono Downs
Chester Downs
Delaware Park
Dover Downs (pre-slots)
Rosecroft Raceway
Pimlico Race Course
Laurel Park
Timonium Fair
Sportsman's Park
Arlington Park
Maywood Park
Santa Anita Park
Hollywood Park
Los Alamitos Race Course
Agua Caliente
Bay Meadows Race Course
Sandown Park (UK)
Ascot Race Course (UK)
Lingfield Park (UK)
Hippodrome de Saint Cloud (France)
Hippodrome d'Auteuil (France)
Hippodrome de Longchamp (France)
Hippodrome de Vincennes (France)
Hippodrome d'Enghien-Soisy (France)
Hippodrome de Lyon-Parilly (France)
Hippodrome de Maisons-Laffitte (France)

Dog tracks:
Wonderland Park
Plainfield
Lincoln Park
Shoreline Star
Wimbledon (UK)
Walthamstow (UK)

Jai-Alai (both closed):
Bridgeport
Milford

On premises, but not for live racing:
Greenwood

Sad part is that I know that I've forgotten a few. :lol:

[PaceAdvantage]

I don't get out much:

Roosevelt Raceway (first track ever visited)
Belmont
Aqueduct
Saratoga
Meadowlands (tbred & stdb)
Suffolk Downs
Rockingham Park
Wonderland (dogs)

[Ron]

I've been to Saratoga. That's it. I usually make most of the meet. I'll probably make it to Aqueduct and Belmont soon enough, but its nothing I'm looking forward to doing. I'd love to go to Delmar and Churchill.

[dylbert]

Louisiana Downs (be there tomorrow)
Oaklawn Park
Evangeline Downs (new one in Opelousas)
Delta Downs
Fair Grounds (first timer this past season)

and yes, started with grandmother and greyhounds at Southland Greyhound Park in West Memphis, Arkansas

No. 1 goal is Saratoga this summer!

[Zman179]

Funny thing is that I went to Saratoga once...and have absolutely zero plans to ever return. I hated the racetrack; but, the town was very nice. I'd return when the horses are in NYC.

[GaryG]

Louisiana Downs (be there tomorrow)
Oaklawn Park
Evangeline Downs (new one in Opelousas)
Delta Downs
Fair Grounds (first timer this past season)

and yes, started with grandmother and greyhounds at Southland Greyhound Park in West Memphis, Arkansas

No. 1 goal is Saratoga this summer!If it's not too far try to get over to Sam Houston. The racing is soso but the facility is a beauty. You would have loved the old FG about two fires and a flood back, I gar-on-tee.

[BIG RED]

Been in the Parking lot: Hollywood Park, Lone Star

There has got to be a good story there somewhere, :cool:

[GaryG]

There has got to be a good story there somewhere, :cool:If he was in the Hollywood parking lot after dark he gets hazardous duty points.

[foul]

Your list cannot be complete until you have been to Manor Downs.

Foul

[classhandicapper]

AqueductBelmont
Saratoga
Santa Anita
Del Mar
Gulfstream
Churchill Downs
Monmouth
Delaware
Meadowlands

Yonkers
Roosevelt Raceway
Meadowlands

[boomman]

Your list cannot be complete until you have been to Manor Downs.

Foul

Foul: Not only have I been to Manor Downs, I called the races there when they were a non-parimutuel track in the early 80's. (Lots of $$$ action anyway though) LOL:D

Boomer

[boomman]

I've been to Saratoga. That's it. I usually make most of the meet. I'll probably make it to Aqueduct and Belmont soon enough, but its nothing I'm looking forward to doing. I'd love to go to Delmar and Churchill.

Ron: If there's a more beautiful track than Del Mar, I want to see it! Not only is the weather sensational during their live race meet, but they don't call it "where the turf meets the surf" for nothing!:)

Boomer

[pressman]

Beulah
Saratoga
Ac
Phila Pk
Delaware
Monmouth
Laurel
Pompano Park

[alysheba88]

Monmouth
Garden State
Freehold
Meadowlands
Atlantic City
Monticello
Finger Lakes
Saratoga (and Saratoga Harness)
Aqueduct
Belmont
Penn National
Philly Park
Delaware Park (day of the OJ verdict)
Pimlico
Laurel
Scarborough Downs
Tampa Bay Downs
Churchill
Ak-sar ben
Hollywood
Del Mar (my fav)
Santa Anita
Bay Meadows
Golden Gate
El Comandante (PR)
Beulah Park
Turf Paradise (100 degrees offset by cold Corona's)

[GaryG]

Ron: If there's a more beautiful track than Del Mar, I want to see it! Not only is the weather sensational during their live race meet, but they don't call it "where the turf meets the surf" for nothing!:)

BoomerDo you remember DM before the renovations in the early 90s? That's when it really had charm, although with the crowds getting larger it was getting too small I guess. It looked like an old mission and was dusty and I sure did like it.

[Tom]

Funny thing is that I went to Saratoga once...and have absolutely zero plans to ever return. I hated the racetrack; but, the town was very nice. I'd return when the horses are in NYC.

We've been spoiled here at Finger Lakes! :lol:

[witchdoctor]

Bandera Downs
Sam Houston
Retama
Lone Star
Fair Meadows
Blue Ribbons Downs
Will Rogers Downs
Remington Park
Fair Grounds
Turf Paradise
Ellis Park
Keeneland
Churchill
Oaklawn Park

And finally, one not listed by anyone else
High Fields Downs in Inola, Oklahoma
Quarterhorse match racing. Not paramutual but alot of money changes hands. One "trainer" told me that the best thing about this track is that there is NO test barn :ThmbUp:

[Pace Cap'n]

And finally, one not listed by anyone else
High Fields Downs in Inola, Oklahoma
Quarterhorse match racing. Not paramutual but alot of money changes hands. One "trainer" told me that the best thing about this track is that there is NO test barn :ThmbUp:

LOL--Many of the locals thought it was the end of the world when BRD went pari-mutuel.

[Zman179]

We've been spoiled here at Finger Lakes! :lol:

Lol, yes you are. I've been wanting to go to Finger Lakes for a very long time as it is my all-time favorite track; but, the five hour drive holds me back.

BTW, I forgot about El Comandante. Add that to my list.

[GaryG]

BTW, I forgot about El Comandante. Add that to my list.And I forgot about the old Caliente. The $800 claimers there in the 50s were probably stronger than the $4000 claimers we see today. First place I ever placed my own bet, 13 years old.

[DanG]

I think it’s easier to name the ones I haven’t been to. My brother and I went on a cross country race track junket about 15 years ago and I highly recommend it if you get a chance.

These are the Big Five that I think you’ve really missed something great in life if you never see them; (In no particular order.)

Must See...:ThmbUp::ThmbUp:





Del Mar: Hard to describe how perfect the setting is.
Santa Anita: On a clear day watching training with the mountains in the backdrop…horse heaven.
Keeneland: The horse truly comes first and the amount of attractive 20 something’s in the crowd is very encouraging.
Saratoga: Reeks of history and the town is magnificent.
Churchill Downs: Have not been there since the renovations, but in some ways it’s the Yankee stadium of our sport.

Honorable mention and / or underrated…


Oaklawn, Gulfstream (Pre-nonsense), Monmouth Park, Canterbury Park, Belmont, Fair Grounds, Delaware Park, Arlington, Tampa Bay Downs…and of course may she rest in peace…beautiful Hialeah Park.:(

[46zilzal]

I would have liked to see old Delware with the triangular steeplechase course. I like the mutuels manager there as he made up a "test" set of totes with my name as the code....

Looks great on the tube...

[Zaf]

Wow Dan, A cross country race track junket !! Very cool :cool:

I have been to :

Buffalo Raceway
Vernon Downs
Finger Lakes
Monticello
Saratoga (Flats & Harness)
Yonkers
Roosevelt
Aqueduct
Belmont
Suffolk Meadows

Meadowlands
Monmouth
Garden State
Atlantic City
Pocono Downs
Philadelphia (Keystone)
Penn National
Liberty Bell
Brandywine
Suffolk
Scarborough
Foxboro
Dover Downs
Delaware Park
Ocean Downs
Rosecroft
Harrington
Charlestown
Pimlico
Laurel
Tampa Bay Downs
Woodbine
Fort Erie
Elmira
Barrie (Georgian)
Kawartha
Flamboro
Mohawk
Hippodromes de Aylmer, Quebec, Montreal & Trois Rivieres,
Rideau Carleton
Western Fair
Picov Downs

Plainfield
Sanford-Orlando
Derby Lane

Z

[Hajck Hillstrom]

And I forgot about the old Caliente. The $800 claimers there in the 50s were probably stronger than the $4000 claimers we see today. First place I ever placed my own bet, 13 years old.

I will join the short list of those that have visited Aqua Caliente, and...
Yakima Meadows
Longacres
Playfair
Emerald Downs
Portland Meadows
Hastings Park
Golden Gate Fields
Pleasanton
Santa Rosa
Stockton
Bay Meadows
Santa Anita
Hollywood Park
Fairplex/Pomona
Los Alamitos
Del Mar
Turf Paradise
Sunland Park
Ruidoso
Bishop
Saratoga
Hialeah
Monmouth
Churchill Downs
Keeneland

With Santa Anita Park most oft visited.

Carry on, Carry on,

Hajck Hillstrom
Seattle, WA

[Hajck Hillstrom]

These are the Big Five that I think you’ve really missed something great in life if you never see them; (In no particular order.)

Must See...:ThmbUp::ThmbUp:







Del Mar: Hard to describe how perfect the setting is.
Santa Anita: On a clear day watching training with the mountains in the backdrop…horse heaven.
Keeneland: The horse truly comes first and the amount of attractive 20 something’s in the crowd is very encouraging.
Saratoga: Reeks of history and the town is magnificent.
Churchill Downs: Have not been there since the renovations, but in some ways it’s the Yankee stadium of our sport.
Outstanding list! My top 5 as well, since I visited Churchill Downs and Keeneland last week. My tour of Keeneland (day after the Derby) was from top to bottom, and into most places that the public never has access to. I love how the clubhouse turn is the one before the homestretch. The pictures from the roof are quite spectacular, as the sightlines are unparalled in American racing.

If anyone challenges your list....... I got your back.

Carry on, Carry on,

Hajck Hillstrom

[plainolebill]

Hollywood Park
Santa Anita
Bay Meadows
Golden Gate Fields
Portland Meadows
Longacres
Thistledown
Agua Caliente - Tijuana
Caulfield - Melbourne OZ
Randwick - Sydney OZ
Newcastle - Newcastle OZ
Valparaiso (Vina Del Mar) - Chile
Garrison Savannah - Barbados
Hipódromo da Gávea - Rio de Janeiro
Hipódromo La Rinconada - Caracas
Happy Valley Racecourse - Hong Kong

[Paging]

The Multnomah Kennel club used to run at Portland Meadows

I don't believe that is correct. Multnomah Kennel Club no longer operates but was totally seperate from Portland Meadows.

[Paging]

Greyhound Tracks

Flagler
Naples
Biscayne
Key West
Palm Beach
Daytona
Seminole
Sanford
Sarasota
Hollywood
Tampa
St. Pete
Orange Park
Jacksonville
St. Johns
Ebro
Jefferson County
Pensacola
Mobile
Birmingham
Greenetrack
Victoryland
West Memphis
Woodlands
Camptown
Witcha
Wheeling Downs
Hinsdale
Green Mountain
Plainfield
Belmont/The Lodge
Lincoln
Raynham
Wonderland
Seabrook
Dubuque
Dairyland
Geneva Lakes
Mile High
Pueblo
Rocky Moutain
Interstate
Cloverleaf
Caliente
Yuma
Tucson
Phoenix
Multnomah

Horse Tracks

Woodbine
Del Mar
Hollywood
Santa Anita
Caliente (when horses ran)
Bay Meadows
Portland Meadows
Turf Paradise
Arapahoe
Alburque
Fairmount
Fair Meadows
Blue Ribbon Downs
Ellis Park
Hialeah
Calder
Gulfstream
Sunland Park
Pompano Park (back when they raced QHs)
Finger Lakes
Penn National
Delaware Park
Flamboro

[Milleruszk]

I recently picked up a book on this very subject. It is titled "Horse Racing Coast to Coast a Traveler's Guide to the Sport of Kings." It gives race track profiles on over 65 tracks including tips on where to stay and where to go in the vicinity of the race track. I have been to the following tracks:

Belmont
Aqueduct
Saratoga
Meadowlands
Garden State Park
Monmouth
Yonkers
Keeneland
Churchill Downs

Obviously, I have many more more race tracks to visit!

[titans1127]

I have been to:

Aqueduct
Belmont
Yonkers
Monticello

I'd love to get the opportunity to go to others in the area. Hopefully when I get a little older I'll make the drive to others.

[Wickel]

The Downs at Santa Fe (closed)
The Downs at Albuquerque
La Mesa Park (Raton, closed)
San Juan Downs (now Sun Ray)
Ruidoso Downs
Sunland Park
Juarez (Mexico, dogs and horses)
Pueblo (Colo. dogs)
Phoenix dogs
Hollywood Park
Los Alamitos
Del Mar
Turf Paradise
Lone Star
Bandera
Oaklawn Park
Louisiana Downs
Churchill Downs



I'm pleasant surprised to see a few of you played the ponies at Bandera Downs, near San Antonio. I visited during my inaugural years when my sis and brother in law helped open the facility. I was a regular mostly at the Santa Fe and Albuquerque tracks. In fact, heard many of Boomer's top-notch calls in Albuquerque--both at The Downs and New Mexico State Fair meets.

An article in yesterday's (May 12) Albuquerque Journal says The Downs is moving its facility about 40 west to the rural community of Moriarty, just off Interstate 40. Also, The Downs at Santa Fe and La Mesa in Raton have applied for racing licenses. Stay tuned.

[BlueShoe]

Have to say that I do not concur with Boomman and a few others about Del Mar,and side with GaryG on a couple of points.The OLD Del Mar had charm and atmosphere.Excuse the sarcasm,but the new plant has about as much charm as a penitentiary.After the old grandstand was leveled and rebuilt still recall the horror and revulsion I felt when viewing those new cold grey walls for the first time;I asked myself,where are the guard towers and machine guns?Since the makeover,have only been 3 or 4 times,and felt uncomfortable every time.With satellite wagering and the horrible traffic going and coming,who needs the aggravation?Much the same for Caliente.The old place also had charm.After it burned down in somewhat mysterious circumstances and was rebuilt,it was never the same,again,cold grey walls replaced the old warm mission style building,just as Del Mar would do years later.

[GaryG]

Blueshoe, do you remember Joe Henandez saying "Muy buenos tardes senoras y senores y bienvenidos a Del Mar?" Seems like only yeaterday. They had the only daily double on the west coast until around 1961.

[Cratos]

We've been spoiled here at Finger Lakes! :lol:


Tom,

I last visited Finger Lakes nearly 22 years ago and I understand that now they have a casino there. How is that working out?

[TrackManSam]

How about some of the tracks you have been too that are in the worst areas.
Mine are hawthorne, old Sportsman's Park, and Maywood (All in chicago). They stand outside in hte parking lot and try and bum money from you. They know when you win and try and bum money from you again. Then when you are leaving, you better not miss the expressway getting out our your in big trouble. Pimlico is in a horrible area and so was Hialeah.

[BlueShoe]

GaryG,many fond memories of Joe Hernandez.Old Joe called over 15000 Santa Anita consecutive races from opening day at Santa Anita in 1934 until he collapsed at the mike during a race in 1972 and died six days later.When,on occasion,have heard tapes of long ago races with Joe calling the race,recognize his voice at once,even after more than a third of a century.

[GaryG]

How about some of the tracks you have been too that are in the worst areas.
Mine are hawthorne, old Sportsman's Park, and Maywood (All in chicago). They stand outside in hte parking lot and try and bum money from you. They know when you win and try and bum money from you again. Then when you are leaving, you better not miss the expressway getting out our your in big trouble. Pimlico is in a horrible area and so was Hialeah.Not many worse than Hollywood Park Thistle isn't wonderful either.

[BlueShoe]

Hollywood Park can still be attended if you use some street smarts and general caution,but only in the daytime.Myself,going to Hollypark on Friday nights,or visiting the next door casino on any night is just not wise.In years past you had to worry about crossing paths with The Brothers,but the surrounding area has changed.A stranger driving to the track from any direction for the first time might think that he was in a city about 500 miles due South.Santa Anita is a whole different situation,quite safe,although that area has also changed.Del Mar,Fairplex,and Los Alamitos are all okay.In SoCal the only track to use extra caution in is Hollypark.

[maxwell]

I was planning a trip to Hollypark but I think it might be wiser to hit an OTB instead? It looks as though the track and the location is not worth the caution that is being advised here.

[CryingForTheHorses]

As a boy growing up on the backside,i made travelling in a horse van a adventure to see the USA.I grewup partly on the backsides of Woodbine,Greenwood and Ft Erie. Canada. I then travelled to Hazel Park,Finger Lakes,Arlington Park before the fire,Hawthorn Park,Then on to the Fairgrounds in Louisanna.I spent almost every winter in Florida working at GP,Hialeah and Calder which is now my home base.The racetracks have changed over the years and some are gone. Memiories of all these tracks are priceless. I have also been to Suffolk Downs,Made the Great Barrington Fair,Been to Atokad Downs,Assinneboine downs in Winnipeg Man Canada,Took a horse to race at the old Darby Downs in Ohio,Made Delta Downs and almost blistered my mouth from the hotsauce on the crawdads.Makes you wonder where all the years went. ;)

[Zman179]

Not many worse than Hollywood Park Thistle isn't wonderful either.

The new harness track outside of Philadelphia, Chester Downs, is in an absolute pit. Nonetheless, the winner of the title of "track in worst neighborhood" goes to Pimlico. Definitely not a place where you'd want your car to break down.

Honorable mention: Agua Caliente. The whole friggin' country is a bad neighborhood.

[cnollfan]

Centennial
La Mesa
Laurel
Pimlico
AkSarBen
Del Mar
Albuquerque
Aqueduct
Bowie
Garden State
Fonner Park
Arlington
Park Jefferson
Monmouth
Morgan County Fair, Colo.
Delaware
Hialeah
Saratoga
Oaklawn
Belmont
Rockingham
Charles Town
Fair Grounds
Churchill Downs
Delta Downs
Lincoln, Nebr.
Waterford
Keeneland
Atokad
Arapahoe Park
Calder
Fort Erie
Adams County Fair, Colo.
Gulfstream
Santa Fe
Santa Rosa
Columbus
Remington
Prairie Meadows
Woodlands
Sportsman's
Turf Paradise
Lone Star
Ellis Park
Horsemen's Park
Beulah
Canterbury
Hawthorne

[Dan H]

Cahokia Downs (pre-navy)
DelMar (post-navy)
Hollywood Park
Emerald Downs

Loved 'em all!

[Hajck Hillstrom]

I was planning a trip to Hollypark but I think it might be wiser to hit an OTB instead? It looks as though the track and the location is not worth the caution that is being advised here.Max, go to Hollywood Park. Back in the 80's, when the area was really rough, I would park my car in the Parking lot with the keys in the ignition with hope that someone would steal it. It never happened.

It is an oaisis. Once you are in the gates, life is good. I might not walk to the track from LAX, but then again, I'm sure you would meet many fine people along the way, and only a few that wonder what the hell you were doing there with no hesitation in asking you that question.

Hollywood Park is a must if in SoCal while it is running.

Carry on, Carry on,

Hajck Hillstrom

[cnollfan]

I would feel safer a few blocks from Hollywood or Hialeah than I would inside the confines of a Magna track.

[Raida]

I've been to most tracks on the east coast from Woodbine, to Green Mountian in Vt to Tampa. a few in Texas and Mexico in Nuevo Larado. The smaller tracks that I enjoyed the most are now closed, Narraganset and Lincoln in RI. and the Mass Fair circut, ahh the memories.

[Humph]

US:
Suffolk Downs, Rockingham, Belmont, Aqueduct, Monmouth, Pimlico, Saratoga.

England/Wales:
Aintree, Ascot, Bangor on Dee, Bath, Brighton, Cheltenham, Chepstow, Chester, Doncaster, Epsom, Exeter, Fakenham, Folkestone, Fontwell, Goodwood, Haydock, Huntingdon, Kempton, Leicester, Lingfield, Market Rasen, Newbury, Newmarket(both tracks), Newton Abbot, Nottingham, Plumpton, Ripon, Salisbury, Sandown, Southwell, Stratford, Taunton, Thirsk, Towcester, Uttoxeter, Warwick, Wincanton, Windsor, Wolverhampton , York.

Ireland:
The Curragh, Leopardstown, Naas, Punchestown.

Jersey:
Les Landes

[falconridge]

Agua Caliente—Tijuana, B.C., Mexico
Bay Meadows—San Mateo, California
Belmont Park—Long Island, New York
Bluebonnets—Montreal, P.Q., Canada
Cal Expo/Sacramento—Sacramento, California
Del Mar—Del Mar, California
Fairplex/Pomona—Pomona, California
Golden Gate Fields—Albany, California
Hollywood Park—Inglewood, California
Los Alamitos—Cypress, California
Pleasanton—Pleasanton, California
Santa Anita—Arcadia, California
Santa Rosa—Santa Rosa, California
Solano—Vallejo, California
Stockton—Stockton, California
Thistledown—Cleveland, Ohio
Turf Paradise—Phoenix, Arizona

Not that many, really. Deferring to company, I've missed chances to visit Arlington (Illinois), Ferndale (California), Grants Pass (Oregon), Hippodrome de Quebec and Hippodrome Trois Rivieres (Quebec Province), The Meadows (Pennsylvania), Prescott Downs (Arizona), and Waterford Park (West Virginia). When very young, I begged to go with my father to old Tanforan (destroyed by fire when I was eight years old), but mom never was too keen on the idea. Never been that close to any others during actual race meetings.

[Zman179]

England/Wales:
Aintree, Ascot, Bangor on Dee, Bath, Brighton, Cheltenham, Chepstow, Chester, Doncaster, Epsom, Exeter, Fakenham, Folkestone, Fontwell, Goodwood, Haydock, Huntingdon, Kempton, Leicester, Lingfield, Market Rasen, Newbury, Newmarket(both tracks), Newton Abbot, Nottingham, Plumpton, Ripon, Salisbury, Sandown, Southwell, Stratford, Taunton, Thirsk, Towcester, Uttoxeter, Warwick, Wincanton, Windsor, Wolverhampton , York.


40 down, 19 to go (20 if you include Great Leighs.)

[BarryK]

Aqueduct
Belmont
Saratoga
Roosevelt
Monticello
Thistledown
Meadowlands
Remington Park
Beulah Park
Woodlands

[gonatas]

Suffolk
Aqueduct
Saratoga
Belmont
Meadowlands
Garden Stake Park
Monmouth
Philadelphia Park
Pimlico
Bowie
Laurel
Charlestown
Thistledown
Riverdowns
Hialeah
Gulfstream
Calder
Turfway
Keeneland
Churchill Downs
Arlington
Hawthorne
Balmoral
Sportsman's Park
Del Mar

Newmarket (UK)

All Good!

[saevena]

To the best of my knowledge, the world's record holder for tracks visited is a friend of mine and regular at the Maryland tracks (Beyer once wrote an article about him). I asked him several weeks ago how many thoroughbred tracks (including county fairs and other unrecognized tracks) he had visited inside and outside the U.S., and the answer was around 222 (he saw Edgar Prado riding in Peru). At one county fair track he attended, he told me, there was no available jockey to ride one of the horses, so the public address announcer asked if any fan wanted to ride him/her. I asked him to name the worst track he attended, and the answer was a county fair track in Rifle, Colorado. Possibly his greatest feat was to attend the races one day at Salem, Oregon, then drive all night and make the races the next day in Sacramento. Quite a guy!

[Greyfox]

To the best of my knowledge, the world's record holder for tracks visited is a friend of mine and regular at the Maryland tracks (Beyer once wrote an article about him). I asked him several weeks ago how many thoroughbred tracks (including county fairs and other unrecognized tracks) he had visited inside and outside the U.S., and the answer was around 222 (he saw Edgar Prado riding in Peru). At one county fair track he attended, he told me, there was no available jockey to ride one of the horses, so the public address announcer asked if any fan wanted to ride him/her. I asked him to name the worst track he attended, and the answer was a county fair track in Rifle, Colorado. Possibly his greatest feat was to attend the races one day at Salem, Oregon, then drive all night and make the races the next day in Sacramento. Quite a guy!

Worst at Colorado? That's near my state. I doubt that. He hasn't seen banacek's Moose Jaw! :lol:

[Bobzilla]

Suffolk
Aqueduct
Belmont
Saratoga
Delaware
Pimlico
Gulfstream
Calder
Woodbine
Churchill Downs
Sportsmens Park
Arlington Park
Lone Star Park
Santa Anita
Hollywood
Del Mar
Emerald Downs


Like others here, I regret I never had the chance to make it to Hialeah. From everything I hear it was truly a beautiful place for the horse racing experience. Haven't made it to Keeneland yet. I've attended every Breeders' Cup since 91 so that helps my list a bit. Would very much like to see the Louisiana tracks.

[Bill Olmsted]

Ocean Downs (now renamed, but unchanged in character) Ocean City, MD.

Been going there since 1968. It's a small-town version of Bikini Downs (DMR). The trotters, the full card TB simulcasting, the sharks, the tourists, the women, the moon over the lake in the distance, and the curiously appealing warmed-over frozen pizza make for an ecclectic evening.

[banacek]

Worst at Colorado? That's near my state. I doubt that. He hasn't seen banacek's Moose Jaw! :lol:
You sure enjoy Moose Jaw. When I went there as a kid around 1970, they had a chalk odds board, no tote machines. You got paper tickets. For the daily double you bought so many $2 tickets on the first race and, if your horse in the first won, you exchanged them for tickets on your second race horses. I really liked that.

Now, don't get me started on the racetrack in Indian Head!

[danmurphy jr]

Del Mar - Santa Anita - Hollywood Park - Los Alamitos - California

Belmont Park - Aqueduct - Saratoga - Yonkers(once) - New York

Monmouth Park - Atlantic City - New Jersey

[Greyfox]

You sure enjoy Moose Jaw. When I went there as a kid around 1970, they had a chalk odds board, no tote machines. You got paper tickets. For the daily double you bought so many $2 tickets on the first race and, if your horse in the first won, you exchanged them for tickets on your second race horses. I really liked that.

Now, don't get me started on the racetrack in Indian Head!

Indian Head?? Worse than Moose Jaw :lol:
It couldn't be worse than the one you described above.
I thought Indian Head was on a nickel? Where is it?

[delayjf]

AK-SAR-BEN - Still my favorite lived on the backstretch in a tack room working as a groom.
Lincoln State Fair
Columbus NE
Fonner Park
Atokad Park
Saratoga
Belmont
Monmonth
Delaware
Pimlico
Gulfstream
Louisiana Downs
Jefferson Park
Fair Grounds
Delta Downs
Hollywood Park
Santa Anita
Delmar
Los Alamitos
Fairplex
Bay Meadows
Sunland Park
Albuquerque
Centennial Park
Fairmont Park
Colonial

Dog Tracks
Sodrak Park
Mobile
Pensacola – This is truly paramutual hell.

[mudnturf]

I was hoping to see the name LINCOLN FIELDS (Illinois) and/or NARRAGANSET PARK (Rhode Island) on somebody's list. But, not having seen either on any list I've come to the conclusion that I'm in the uppermost age group on this forum! :-((

[Zaf]

Ocean Downs (now renamed, but unchanged in character) Ocean City, MD.

Been going there since 1968. It's a small-town version of Bikini Downs (DMR). The trotters, the full card TB simulcasting, the sharks, the tourists, the women, the moon over the lake in the distance, and the curiously appealing warmed-over frozen pizza make for an ecclectic evening.

I like the place also ! From 1980 to 2000 , I went there almost every summer. I have only been there twice in the last couple of years though.

Z

[cj]

As of Sunday, I'll be adding The Curragh to my list. I will not be drinking Budweiser.

[Zman179]

Mudnturf: Well, I can say that I've been to Lincoln Park for the woofers...right, right, doesn't count.

I can now add Raynham-Taunton (they've got good clam chowder) and Plainridge to my list (not as snazzy as The Curragh.)

[JustRalph]

Went to Vernon Downs on a couple of rain days away from fishing in Upstate Ny last week.

Nice place, very clean and in the middle of beautiful country. The service staff sucked.........the Simulcast only had one teller......and he was 300 years old and grumpy as hell. They didn't have forms for all the tracks, even though they printed a ton of Belmont forms they couldn't figure out who esle was running apparently. No DRF. Tons of Hollywood forms too. But only a few Arlington and others.

The wait staff stood around and told jokes and bitched about not making any money while all the customers sat around wondering where the wait staff was?

My wife had to walk the bartender through how to use her computer to get my tab closed at the bar. And then we went back the next day because it was rough weather on the lake...but this time....later in the evening. We stayed for about half the Harness Card. I managed to make a couple of hundred each day, which was nice. Paid for everything and more.

Sometimes there is a gimme staring you in the face............fortunately I was able to smack a couple of twenties on this guy........my wife said there was no way I couldn't play this horse................it turned out nice...... :lol:

http://racing.ustrotting.com/race_result.cfm?race_id=1919540

They say the place is ready to close because they are losing 500k a quarter or something like that. The Slots side had more cars than the racing side. I bet there weren't more than 30 cars in racing lot. Maybe 40 or 50 in the gambling side. The simulcast was nice.............tons of choices for tables. Nice LG Tv's at each table etc. Nice facility. Terrible location for business though. The Indian Casino "Turning Stone" is about ten minutes away.

[rcknhrse]

PIMLICO
LAUREL
TIMONIUM
CHARLESTOWN
SHENADOAH DOWNS
DELAWARE PARK
BELMONT
AQUEDUCT
KEYSTONE
NARAGANSET
MEADOWLANDS
PENN NATIONAL
ROSECROFT
OCEAN DOWNS
BRANDYWINE
Raynham-Taunton Greyhound Park

[JustRalph]

I just noticed this tonight..........Looks like Vernon Downs is going to get a reprieve from the State..........

http://www.oneidadispatch.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=18513891&BRD=1709&PAG=461&dept_id=68844&rfi=6

VERNON - Representatives of Vernon Downs and members of the state Assembly have reached an agreement regarding the passage of legislation that will allow Video Lottery Terminal operators to keep a larger percentage of revenue.

~more at the link~

[Millpond68]

Gone but not forgotten:

Belair
Cumberland
Hagerstown
Havre de Grace
Marlboro

[GaryG]

And Bowie. Might as well add Pimlico and Laurel. This is discussed on another thread but MD has such a fine history and such beautiful farms, it is just a shame.

[Zman179]

IIRC, Marlboro is still used for dressage and show horses.

[mudnturf]

Does anyone else remember TANFORAN? I never went there but certainly recall racing there.
Today it's a huge shopping mall called The Shops of Tanforan, and I pass it when going to Bay Meadows from my brother-in-law's house.