PDA

View Full Version : Turfway Park


cj's dad
11-11-2008, 10:24 PM
There are 4 of us who take a trip every spring to a racetrack that we haven't been to before. This year the person whose turn it is to select picked TP on Lane's End weekend in March.

I'd be interested to hear the pros and cons of going there along with the do's and dont's for the area.

Apparently Cincinnati is not too far away. What is Florence like (much to do there?) or would it be better to stay in Cincinnati.

Thanks in advance.

Jim the Tolerable
11-11-2008, 10:34 PM
Florence is directly across the Ohio River from Cincy. Staying in one is like staying in the other, but I prefer Florence.
If you go, make sure to get some Cincinnati Chili. I prefer Gold Star, but Skyline is fine. Don't forget the coneys!

BillW
11-11-2008, 10:44 PM
I'd be interested to hear the pros and cons of going there along with the do's and dont's for the area.



Pro: Keeneland is only an hour south! :p

JustRalph
11-11-2008, 11:05 PM
The hotel taxes are higher in Ohio........stay in Kentucky........Traffic at rush hour in Cincy is awful

I travel through that area often.

miesque
11-11-2008, 11:08 PM
One positive about visiting Turfway Park is its location. Its extremely easy to fly to since its right smack next to Cincinatti Airport (in fact you will fly right over the racetrack as you are landing). I have stayed at the Hilton Cincinatti Airport each time I have visited Turfway and its not a very big Hilton or that glitzy, but its very reasonably priced. One thing I like about visiting Turfway is you can head over to the Hofbrauhaus for some fabulous beer, I highly recommend it http://www.hofbrauhausnewport.com/

cj's dad
11-11-2008, 11:10 PM
Bill- it's not my turn to pick this year- 3 years ago I went with Turf Paradise- next year is my turn again- thinking about Emerald Downs. We're running out of decent tracks- hell, already been to Timonium.

Pro: Keeneland is only an hour south! :p

JustRalph
11-11-2008, 11:31 PM
One positive about visiting Turfway Park is its location. Its extremely easy to fly to since its right smack next to Cincinatti Airport (in fact you will fly right over the racetrack as you are landing). I have stayed at the Hilton Cincinatti Airport each time I have visited Turfway and its not a very big Hilton or that glitzy, but its very reasonably priced. One thing I like about visiting Turfway is you can head over to the Hofbrauhaus for some fabulous beer, I highly recommend it http://www.hofbrauhausnewport.com/

The Cincy Airport Hilton is actually in Florence Kentucky, FYI Now that will confuse your GPS :lol: :lol:

http://www1.hilton.com/en_US/hi/hotel/CVGCHHF-Hilton-Cincinnati-Airport-Kentucky/index.do

cj
11-12-2008, 12:16 AM
Bill- it's not my turn to pick this year- 3 years ago I went with Turf Paradise- next year is my turn again- thinking about Emerald Downs.

Just FYI, Emerald doesn't open until mid-April or so. Do it right, wait a few months and try Longchamps, Baden Baden or The Curragh!

cj's dad
11-12-2008, 01:31 AM
Just FYI, Emerald doesn't open until mid-April or so. Do it right, wait a few months and try Longchamps, Baden Baden or The Curragh!

Good thought; I'll just say no to France and if it comes down to Germany or Ireland, I want to go back to Ireland; you know why.:)

CincyHorseplayer
11-12-2008, 02:29 AM
There all kinds of lodgings and restaurants around Turfway itself,but if you go up 75 towards Cincinnati(all of about 8 miles) they have built up Newport on the levy and there are some really nice new hotels which have cool views overlooking both the Ohio River and Cincinnati itself.

Restauarants as pointed out Cincinnati is famous for is Skyline chili,a little lesser known is Larosa's pizza,which is a family run business based in the westside of Cincinnati(about a mile from my house!),but they have them all over and I believe in Kentucky also.But right down the road off 75,going north(Buttermilk Pike exit),there is a small little Mexican restaurant called Montoya's,owned by the former Bengal,Max,and they have great food.It's a little diamond in the rough.If you end up at Newport on the levy,you drive about two miles east into Covington and they have a little row of Strip bars if that's your thing.But as Miesque said,Hoffbrau house is an authentic German brewery modeled off the one in Berlin(I think) and it is worth visiting too.That's in Newport.If your into seafood you go west on 275(right by the Turfway exit) and get off at the Kellogg avenue exit and make a left,drive down about 2 miles on the left there is a place called Four Seasons restaurant,best seafood in the city,fly in lobster and crab daily.Montgomery Inn Ribs are highly touted here but if you know what real ribs taste like don't bother.

As for the track itself,by Lane's End day it used to have one of the best pure speed biases around.I remember being the only one on the 4th floor laughing my tail off when Balto Star wired the field and was 12 lengths up at the head of the stretch at 6-1!!Good times.Anyway the track plays pretty fair now for the most part,except when it's frozen.Anyway I'll be playing TBD and TP all winter so get back to me CJ's Dad.

Rod

michiken
11-12-2008, 07:07 AM
Before I got laid off, my companies headquarters was in Florence.

I made several trips there and visited Turfway at night but it was simulcast only. The whole area is flush with motels and restaurants. There is a Meijer and shopping mall right across the street. I liked the breakfasts at the Cracker Barrel.

If you want to stay on the cheap, try the 'Extended Stay Motel'. They have kitchenettes in each room and was reasonably quiet. Make sure to get a room on the non-freeway side. They also had free internet in the room.

Do not stay at the Red Roof Inn. I checked in once and the room smelled like cat pee. I left immediately.

I found the inside of Turfway to be quite dark. Probably because they had simulcasting on the basement floor. Check the simulcast schedule because the track was closed on Mon and Tues when I was there.

I did not like their touch screen automated betting totes. They were ass backwards to the ones I am used to.

You will know when you are there when you walk into the bathrooms and hear 'GAINING GROUND' echoing off the ceramice walls.

Fred
11-12-2008, 07:37 AM
I make this trip at least once a year. I used to live in Champaign, IL but I now live in Knoxville so TP is a halfway point to meet my IL buddies. We always stay at the Holiday Inn in Erlanger, KY. We also go the Casino Boat in Indiana while we are there. This is strictly a gambling and drinking trip so we just usually eat at the track, hotel or boat. It is a great time but I think the company your are with is more important than the venue that really makes any trip.
As far is the track I will just say it is unassuming. Sometimes on Saturday we go to River Downs even if they are not live. The crowd at the RD clubhouse simulcast bar is lively and a lot of fun.

Freddy

garyoz
11-12-2008, 08:47 AM
There are 4 of us who take a trip every spring to a racetrack that we haven't been to before. This year the person whose turn it is to select picked TP on Lane's End weekend in March.

I'd be interested to hear the pros and cons of going there along with the do's and dont's for the area.

Apparently Cincinnati is not too far away. What is Florence like (much to do there?) or would it be better to stay in Cincinnati.

Thanks in advance.

You will have a blast. Track does get crowded on Lanes End Day. I'd recommend staying in Northern Kentucky with a side trip across the River perhaps. Newport on the Levee is close by and provides excellent dining. You might want to stay in one of the hotels closer to the Levee (6 miles from the Track, but on freeways). You can also walk across a bridge to downtown Cincinnati from the Levee.

I do work with the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce as a Committee Chair (volunteer)--shoot me a private message when you are planning your trip and I can hook you up.

W2G
11-12-2008, 10:50 AM
There are 4 of us who take a trip every spring to a racetrack that we haven't been to before. This year the person whose turn it is to select picked TP on Lane's End weekend in March.

I'd be interested to hear the pros and cons of going there along with the do's and dont's for the area.

Apparently Cincinnati is not too far away. What is Florence like (much to do there?) or would it be better to stay in Cincinnati.

Thanks in advance.

I would never consider TP as a "destination" racetrack but if you're locked in at least that's a good day of racing.

As others have stated the track is very close to the airport. TP is utterly devoid of atmosphere and sits amidst strip malls and chain restaurants. They have a very slick simulcast area called the RaceBook. They also have Mike Battaglia...

Can't think of anything to do in Florence except shop and eat. Cincy and Covington, KY are about 15 min. north of TP depending on traffic on 75. Either would be more fun I think.

Weather is a bit iffy in March but warming up.

cj's dad
11-12-2008, 04:12 PM
Our "destination" tracks list is getting smaller and smaller. We don consider the "fair" trx or the "bullrings". At last count we have been to 23, most of the "major" trx and I use that term loosely.

Yet to see:
Calder-Del Mar- Arlington-Woodbine

Track Collector
11-12-2008, 05:49 PM
Our "destination" tracks list is getting smaller and smaller. We don consider the "fair" trx or the "bullrings".

Just curious, but what is it that causes you to not consider these types of tracks? For me, they are at the top of my destination list!

sandpit
11-13-2008, 09:16 AM
Our "destination" tracks list is getting smaller and smaller. We don consider the "fair" trx or the "bullrings". At last count we have been to 23, most of the "major" trx and I use that term loosely.

Yet to see:
Calder-Del Mar- Arlington-Woodbine

Well, it goes without saying that Del Mar should be next :cool:

miesque
11-13-2008, 09:37 AM
You certainly can't go wrong with Del Mar, its a true vacation style track destination (beautiful weather, beautful people, the ocean, gorgeous track) and there is no track in the United States that can top it from that perspective. However, I have to comment that I had a simply fabulous time at the Arlington Million this year with a table in the Million Room which was by far the best time I had at the races all year. World class turf racing, fabulous food, exceptional service and they actually had decent Wi-Fi in the Million Room. Its a great weekend trip to the track without busting the wallet with Chicago O'Hare only about 8 miles away and I stayed at the Embassy Suites close to the track for only $129/night and they have a shuttle that takes you to and from Arlington Park.

Tom
11-13-2008, 10:21 AM
Our "destination" tracks list is getting smaller and smaller. We don consider the "fair" trx or the "bullrings". At last count we have been to 23, most of the "major" trx and I use that term loosely.

Yet to see:
Calder-Del Mar- Arlington-Woodbine

When you hit Woodbine, throw in Fort Erie - it is beautiful, and then you are 90 minutes from Finger Lakes. Lunch is on me.