A Day At Gulfstream

[OTM Al]

So we decided to hit the Fla Derby this year. Not my first trip to GP, but certainly an interesting one.

We showed up straight from the plane at 9:15 in plenty of time for the DWC card, which frankly I was more interested in than what was going at GP. Got a nice table right next to the walking ring with good view of the 2 bigscreens. Things seemed perfect. And they were for much of the day.

The highlight of the day was durning the GP pre race show. As Nick and Mike were droning on, with Nick once again picking chalk 1-2-3 in every race, towering over them on the big screen above them was our own Andy Serling, nattily dressed, doing his show. We were dying and had to email Andy. I just wish I'd remembered my camera. Funny thing too was they kept Aqueduct on that screen all day and one of the races there seemed to get the biggest crowd (at least in that area) reaction of the whole day.

I like GP really, but going there on Fla Derby day just isn't that much fun. The crowd was full of idiots. People were constantly jumping in front of us while the race was going or trying to make off with our chairs. I still like the place, but go there on a quieter day if you like watching the horses.

Went and watched the Derby itself from the rail. Pretty cool. Nice race by QR, though that was a near take down with the incident with Jojo. I think it had to stand though as it was unclear whether he or Dunkirk was at fault. Luckily a bad accident did not happen and I also am glad they took Europe out of the race.

Going back for a couple minutes today. Have a watchlister going in the 2nd I think at 12-1 ML. I'm so due........Wish Tampa was a little closer, but after waking up at 2am yesterday I just wasn't getting out of bead early enough today. Too bad they don't run Monday.

[onefast99]

For the most part it sounds as if you had a good time. Today will be a very mellow crowd, see if you can get up to the 2rd floor to watch the races the buffet isnt that bad at Ten Palms and there are plenty of monitors to watch all the other tracks. Christine Lee's is also a good place to get food excellent ribs and steaks! Have fun and win some $.

[point given]

You have more courage than me to fight the crowds on derby day at gulfstream. The place just cannot manage alot of people , its like being in a sardine can. I attended the Fountain of Youth day a few years ago and had a seat near the finish line and vowed never again. I just cannot watch video of the races while I am live at the track, being an inspection type person, so its back and forth to the seat and you just have alot of trouble doing that there. It looked like alot of people on hand yesterday. OTOH, I went to the TAmpa Derby and would do it again in a minute as it was an enjoyable day there even with the crowd .

[samyn on the green]

Went down to Gulfstream to escape the 7 foot snow berms, 7.5 claimers and 7 degrees. Here is my trip report. (http://gregcalabrese.blogspot.com/2011/01/gulfstream-trip-report.html)

[Stillriledup]

Went down to Gulfstream to escape the 7 foot snow berms, 7.5 claimers and 7 degrees. Here is my trip report. (http://gregcalabrese.blogspot.com/2011/01/gulfstream-trip-report.html)

Good report.

I have a question (for anyone to answer). If there's very little seating, how does Gulfstream ever expect to host the Breeders Cup?

[CincyHorseplayer]

Excellent take Al.There's no place I'd rather be right now,other than Tampa!The placed looked great and warm and what a nice view of the city in the background.Loved the pics.

But it doesn't sound like it caters to the player there for the racetrack experience.I like to have a view of the track that I can see everything with a pair of binoculars.A table to lay my stuff out on,TV screens within view,and betting machines close.Tracks seem to miss this reality.Were not at the friggin ballgame.You need a place to work and a place to bet other tracks or you will be both irritated and not put more money through the windows.I don't know why this is so overlooked and so painful to accomplish.

I hate being in the house when it's warm.In the summers here I totally camp out when I go to the track.I have a folding table I tie to my backpack with all my stuff in it.Bring a cooler,setup shop,10 x 50's,laptop,race form,printouts,notebooks.Ready to roll for about 8 hours!!I wish I didn't have to lug that damn table around with me though!!

Anyway thanks for sharing.I enjoyed it.

[samyn on the green]

With the current configuration I don't think GP can host a BC. Good report.

I have a question (for anyone to answer). If there's very little seating, how does Gulfstream ever expect to host the Breeders Cup?

[Stillriledup]

With the current configuration I don't think GP can host a BC.

Wow, that's brutal. Great BC history at GP and they threw it all away.

[samyn on the green]

If they wanted to host the BC - they should with the weather, the track, the city and the upscale venue- they would just have to adds tens of thousands of seats. Maybe they can borrow/rent the metal bleachers of every HS in the area. Just pray that there is no lightning when they run the thing. GP would be the bleacher capitol of the world. The grandstand looks like it seats about a thousand people. Managment went extreme in the grandstand downsizing decision.

They were likely tired of seeing pics like this -this one is a weekday at Aqueduct during the races (http://gregcalabrese.blogspot.com/2009/11/aqueduct-trip-report.html) -and said if nobody is going to sit in the grandstand there won't be a grandstand.

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_zoiPyRqht7s/Sw2yXI-7K3I/AAAAAAAAAsc/XgEqOp2dp-o/s400/25NOV.GS.jpeg



Wow, that's brutal. Great BC history at GP and they threw it all away.

[karlskorner]

Ir is easy to spot the "snow birds", they are there in their T-Shirts, while the rest of us are wearing jackets and sweaters. Second floor over the paddock area great for viewing, not too crowded on weekends and if the temp. drops you can always go inside.

[Beachbabe]

Went down to Gulfstream to escape the 7 foot snow berms, 7.5 claimers and 7 degrees. Here is my trip report. (http://gregcalabrese.blogspot.com/2011/01/gulfstream-trip-report.html)


Good report. You were spot-on with your observations.

I, myself, like to sit around the walking ring between races; you can usually get a seat anytime (of course big days like the Sunshine Millions & The Derby, that's not true). Also like the Tiki Hut area between races ; grab a beer & sit at the picnic tables. The "Beach" area...same thing.
Unless you buy a reserved seat (even on weekdays), it's tough to view the races live. Climb halfway up the flight of stairs at the finish line & watch from there. ;)

[Tom]

Ir is easy to spot the "snow birds", they are there in their T-Shirts, while the rest of us are wearing jackets and sweaters. Second floor over the paddock area great for viewing, not too crowded on weekends and if the temp. drops you can always go inside.

First time I went to Fla. MY hosts were wearing winter coats and I went swimming in the ocean! It was 7 when I got on the airplane in New York.
65 was HOT for me!

[CryingForTheHorses]

First time I went to Fla. MY hosts were wearing winter coats and I went swimming in the ocean! It was 7 when I got on the airplane in New York.
65 was HOT for me!


I have never seen a monkey swim :lol: :lol:

[alhattab]

Good report. You were spot-on with your observations.

I, myself, like to sit around the walking ring between races; you can usually get a seat anytime (of course big days like the Sunshine Millions & The Derby, that's not true). Also like the Tiki Hut area between races ; grab a beer & sit at the picnic tables. The "Beach" area...same thing.
Unless you buy a reserved seat (even on weekdays), it's tough to view the races live. Climb halfway up the flight of stairs at the finish line & watch from there. ;)

I agree. That is an ideal spot. I was there for 3 days a few years ago, and spent most of the time at one of the bars upstairs (by the room where the shows are supposed to be).

My take when I went there is that they intentionally minimzed the number of places where you could just hang around and not spend any money between races (like in the grandstand). They wanted you either in the restaurant, at a bar, or near a TV so you'd bet more. If you want a seat, you've gotta pay for it. They didn't want the guy who did nothing but play a race every 30 minutes.

The trip report was spot on- the place has its plusses no doubt. But I wouldn't want to be there on a real busy day. I think I was there 2d weekend in March and that Saturday was busy enough for me.

[glengarry]

For racing, the place is a disaster. Won't go near it during the racing season. Nice of Frank to charge $10 to sit in the simulcast room and another $12 to sit in the deserted 600 seat "grandstand". Unless it's a "special day", where you can pay $24 to $50 to sit in the room where someone will sit in your seat or lean on your table. Off season, it's a nice simulcasting facility. Frank doesn't want people at the track-he wants them in the casino, where he has, I think, the lowest per machine revenue in the area. At least he had the lowest, unless things changed recently.Nice nightlife, and good restaurants that bring a younger crowd. Calder may be like walking into a third world country, but at least it's entertaining.