Derby Day Thoughts

[The Judge]

1. If Mine That Bird had not made such a breath taking move to win, the finish would have been one of the most exciting Derby finishes on record. With 3 horses at the wire.

2. I watched the Derby at Golden Gate Fields $8 to park (valet) $6 to get in, $2 to get into the upper stretch ,$5 form ,$2.50 program, $6.75 carved sandwich,$2.75 X3 soda. Total $33.00 no wonder I play from home.

3. A surprising number of people had $2.00 tickets on Mind That Bird none of them were regular handicappers, people that have been playing the races for years. No, the winners were mainly ladies with large Derby Hats on with Mint Julip glasses in hand.

4. It was crowed but not as crowded as other years. It was raining off and on but it was a very light rain mostly dry.

5. Good to see a lot of young people there. Track marketers should come with something special for the young folks on days like the Derby to get them to come back.

[matthewsiv]

I hope that you had a good day and that you will go to the track again,rather than betting from home.

[slew101]

Just curious, why would you need a $2.50 program and a $5 form? Wouldn't it be one or the other?

[The Judge]

to locate your horses # and bet.

[slew101]

Those are in Form, aren't they?

to locate your horses # and bet.

[The Judge]

of the program then the form at least for me. I am not about to let a race go off as I fumble around looking for numbers in the form. I miss a $100 exacta because I don't want to spend $2.50 for a program. I take the program to the window and call off my bets or take it to the machine.

O.k take $2.50 away that leaves $31.50.

[Irish Boy]

Don't you lose your right to complain about cost when you valet park?

[The Judge]

O.K down to the minimum $6 to get in $5 for a form $3 regular park no food or drink, no program $14.00. Anything else. Oh yeah could have avoided parking fee and walk to one mile to the track could have waited until after the Derby was run lots of forms laying around for free then. Now we are down to $6.00 entrance fee.

Could have walked in backwards and told them I was leaving. Amount paid $0 the same as I paid betting from home.

[slew101]

$6 to enter Golden Gate Fields is crazy, for sure. For what? The right to bet a 5-horse field 9 times a day?

[JustRalph]

Don't you lose your right to complain about cost when you valet park?

some places it is safer and worth it to valet park. When I lived in California, valet parking was a great deal most of the time. Ever been to Hollywood park? Valet parking is well worth it...........

[cj's dad]

$6 to enter Golden Gate Fields is crazy, for sure. For what? The right to bet a 5-horse field 9 times a day?

I would have no problem with an admission fee if a voucher were given for the same amount that could be used for wagering, concessions, program etc...

At some tracks, an admission fee is needed to keep out the undesirables...
as in Pimlico on a regular race day !!

And yes Ralph, been to HP - valet parking is a must in that 'hood.