where (which track) should I go?

[cj]

Oaklawn is great.

I was disappointed in the Fair Grounds, though of course New Orleans is fun.

Remington is a nice surprise though I'm biased. There is plenty to do here as well.

One not mentioned that I plan on attending next year is Kentucky Downs.

[bello]

Agree Tampa season coming soon and if you are leaving a cold winter it is a great place.

Keeneland....only track I have been to that has to that has tail-gating parties and it is fantastic

Oaklawn was a disappointment

[bello]

Sorry CJ....our messages crossed.....Not trying to disagree on Oaklawn but I was there on one of those cold nasty days.

And Yes to Kentucky Downs for a totally unique live track experience.

If you like small and out of the way places next Kentucy Derby weekend you can do Turf Paradise one day...agree with the others, just a delight and then drive down South to Sonoita AZ, South of Tucson near the Mexican border for a two day meet. A bit dusty, but if you go Derby Day they have a hat fashion show with some beautiful ladies.

When I went two years ago I met a couple of loony "track collectors" like some of us on the board. They were from Scotland and the last track thy "collected" was Dubai. From Dubai to the Santa Cruz Fair races in Sonoita AZ watching $1,500 claimers. Gotta love it. And they must have loved the desert.

[cj]

Originally Posted by bello

Sorry CJ....our messages crossed.....Not trying to disagree on Oaklawn but I was there on one of those cold nasty days.

I definitely avoid the beginning of the meet, wait for Rebel day then the Festival of the South.

[elhelmete]

This is great, thanks all.

Tampa has always intrigued me so it's on the short list.
Oaklawn does indeed seem like a no-brainer.
I had always wondered about Remington so thanks CJ for the info. Short list.
Depending on time of year, will include Canterbury and Emerald.
Turfway is intriguing...but I like grass races.

[Tall One]

Originally Posted by bello

Keeneland....only track I have been to that has to that has tail-gating parties and it is fantastic

Related, UK hosts Vanderbilt, and Mississippi State, October 8th and 22nd respectfully, which would provide the OP with a unique local tradition, the Keeneland/Commonwealth Stadium double...racing in the afternoon, UK football at night.

[foul]

Oaklawn Park is a must. It's the second best track to visit in the nation.

Jack

[olddaddy]

Originally Posted by elhelmete

This is great, thanks all.

Tampa has always intrigued me so it's on the short list.
Oaklawn does indeed seem like a no-brainer.
I had always wondered about Remington so thanks CJ for the info. Short list.
Depending on time of year, will include Canterbury and Emerald.
Turfway is intriguing...but I like grass races.

You realize if you like grass, oaklawn and emerald dont have a turf course.

[elhelmete]

Originally Posted by olddaddy

You realize if you like grass, oaklawn and emerald dont have a turf course.

I knew that about Oaklawn (but the rest of the place should more than make up for it?) but did not know that about Emerald.

[rrpic6]

Another vote for Mahoning Valley! Especially the opening weekend at the end of October. The weather is usually fantastic, the fields will be full, the crowds are ultra-enthusiastic yet still naive. A must visit to Mill Creek Park to catch the Fall colors, a nice cozy Racino on site, the best pizza in the land by various family owned parlors, Kensington,a great local Golf Course and grille down Route 11. Not to mention a chance to see if the Postman's Picks can repeat last years 36% win ratio.

RR

[BMustang]

Originally Posted by elhelmete

This is great, thanks all.

Tampa has always intrigued me so it's on the short list.
Oaklawn does indeed seem like a no-brainer.
I had always wondered about Remington so thanks CJ for the info. Short list.
Depending on time of year, will include Canterbury and Emerald.
Turfway is intriguing...but I like grass races.

Sorry to say since I'm from Northern Kentucky but Turfway is a dump. Belterra is a much nicer racino just across the river next to Riverbend, which hosts world class concerts. Just a stone's throw from downtown Cincinnati and we have real grass racing.

I personally like to get away to Presque Isle Downs. Located just south of Eire, Pa, on Lake Erie, and one hour from Cleveland, Ohio. They have a casino, plenty of hotels right there near the track, nice restaurants, fun family kind of place, almost always perfect weather. All of their races are on the grass - only it's black and called Tapeta.
Tapeta and grass are one and the same.

[SuperPickle]

So I've been to about 80-90% of the tracks on this thread and the only one I would regret not going to is Keeneland.

There's simply nothing like it. You get to go to a magical place where horse racing is worshipped. Literally every TV in town is tuned to Tvg during the meet and stakes race recap is on page one of the daily newspaper.

Woodbine is unique too because of the layout. It's kind of the Keeneland of Toronto but honestly if you've never seen Keeneland it's the one place you'll never forget.

[thespaah]

Originally Posted by elhelmete

This is great, thanks all.

Tampa has always intrigued me so it's on the short list.
Oaklawn does indeed seem like a no-brainer.
I had always wondered about Remington so thanks CJ for the info. Short list.
Depending on time of year, will include Canterbury and Emerald.
Turfway is intriguing...but I like grass races.

Keeneland....Its a must. Great atmosphere. Clean is a n understatement. First class operation. Top quality racing.
I am going to pay Vic S a visit at Oaklawn this late winter/early spring. Never been there. Always wanted to go.
Also, I have a friend who is originally from Toronto who says Woodbine is a nice place. I have never been, but its on the bucket list.
Tampa Bay Downs is a good track as well. I liked it there. I also did rather well at the windows. Good racing. 7 furlong chute. Good turf racing. Decent sized fields.

[thespaah]

Originally Posted by olddaddy

You realize if you like grass, oaklawn and emerald dont have a turf course.

Oddly named tracks...Turfway and Oaklawn. Neither have turf courses.

[thespaah]

Originally Posted by cj

I definitely avoid the beginning of the meet, wait for Rebel day then the Festival of the South.

I agree. The weather in the edge of the Ozarks in January can be what I call "real winter"....Freezing rain. Snow. Bitter cold. January in that part of the country can be a real crap shoot. By Mid February, according to weather averages, the weather starts to warm a bit.