Bucket List - tracks to visit

[Dan Montilion]

Longacres, Bay Meadows, Garden State, Tanforan, Hollywood Park... Oh S..T wait a minute.

[illinoisbred]

A big story in the local media earlier this week. The Paulick Report picked up on it yesterday. Arlington could very well kick the bucket.
https://www.paulickreport.com/news/t...ngton-in-2020/

[clicknow]

You guys are super! You picked up on exactly what I am looking for, could not be more perfect.

I've made my list from your suggestions, thank you!

[BELMONT 6-6-09]

Hialeah is still the most beautiful track that i have visited.

[tbwinner]

Oaklawn is a must-see. Big fans, cheap eats, great racing.

Prairie Meadows is a fun track to visit, definitely on stakes days worth a trip. Otherwise, short fields.

I liked Indiana Downs when visiting too.

[wisconsin]

Originally Posted by tbwinner

Oaklawn is a must-see. Big fans, cheap eats, great racing.

Mmmm corned beef on rye or a reuben...

Emerald Downs had the best food of any track I've gone to. Keenland chili dogs were good, Turf Paradise had awesome nachos.

Trackside Grill outside the clubhouse gate at Saratoga has awesome breakfast sammys, then you go inside and get a real Dunkin Donut, awesomeness.

[jahura2]

Originally Posted by clicknow

My taste is towards quieter but pleasant surroundings.

Please... no "see and be seen" type of tracks. Been there, done that, and do not want to spend my retirement savings on overpriced food/hotel rooms plus I'm not a *kewl* hipster or best dressed anything like that and prefer not to be too much around that and don't like HUGE CROWDS.

Just nice simple typical american type places for "just folks".

New Zealand isn't on the list but I know I would like it since my best friend has tons of photos from when she went.

Lynn Cleborad told me I would like Prairie Meadows somewhat. I was thinking Delaware Park and Remington as well?

Any suggestions? I plan to start next year. No overseas travel at this point though.

I would have to nominate Tampa Bay. Sit in your shirt sleeves, drink a cold beer, beautiful weather, great turf racing. Where else can you hear such a classic race caller as Richard Grunder
Still my favorite track to bet during the winter.

[46zilzal]

I am almost to 70 venues visited and still would like to go to Florida, Arlington, Fair Grounds, Kentucky Downs, Pimlico (was close once at a seminar and should have driven over there), the new ones Mahoning/Belterra, Presque Isle and a few tiny county fair venues.

[46zilzal]

Originally Posted by tbwinner

Oaklawn is a must-see. Big fans, cheap eats, great racing.

Without a doubt

[windstone]

Simulcast often, have only been to one track in my life, Oaklawn, great racing, great food and great eye candy.. My bucket list only has two that i want to visit, Gulfstream and Keenland...

[illinoisbred]

Originally Posted by tbwinner

Oaklawn is a must-see. Big fans, cheap eats, great racing.

Prairie Meadows is a fun track to visit, definitely on stakes days worth a trip. Otherwise, short fields.

I liked Indiana Downs when visiting too.

Chris(tbwinner)...You forgot to mention the nachos at Hawthorne! Seriously,what track beats Hawthorne when it comes to nachos? One serving could feed 3 people!

[The_Turf_Monster]

Originally Posted by illinoisbred

Chris(tbwinner)...You forgot to mention the nachos at Hawthorne! Seriously,what track beats Hawthorne when it comes to nachos? One serving could feed 3 people!

I would never recommend somebody to go out of his/her way to take a trip to hawthorne, but I don't think you're going to find better food at a sports facility than that hot dog stand on the first floor

[tophatmert]

Originally Posted by The_Turf_Monster

I would never recommend somebody to go out of his/her way to take a trip to hawthorne, but I don't think you're going to find better food at a sports facility than that hot dog stand on the first floor

The food in the surrounding area is good too. Used to be Italian now is Mexican and there are a lot of good places. You are correct it is not a destination racetrack but they try.

[BarchCapper]

We added Indiana Grand, Ellis Park, and Kentucky Downs to our list this summer. I think you'd enjoy all of them.

Indiana Grand - nice crowd, nice racing. A long, circuitous walk from grandstand to paddock.

Ellis Park - if there was a definition of a "jus' folks" racetrack that has good food and good racing, Ellis is it. The facilities are a little the worse for the wear currently, but I'd go back in a minute.

Kentucky Downs - friendly, good racing on our most European of courses. If you want to buy seating, I recommend the pavilion by the paddock vs. the options in the casino building.

Penn National is another favorite - although it's been about 20 years.

Many of my West Coast horse partnership friends LOVED the Santa Rosa fair in wine country California. This coming year, they will be running for 2 consecutive weeks, but only one week will be connected with the fair. You could target that other week as likely being less crowded.

Oh, and I think you'd like Oaklawn!

[tbwinner]

Originally Posted by illinoisbred

Chris(tbwinner)...You forgot to mention the nachos at Hawthorne! Seriously,what track beats Hawthorne when it comes to nachos? One serving could feed 3 people!

YES!! How could I forget!! It's been over 7 years since I've been there. Nachos are great, Modelos are cheap, the staff is great! You could drink and eat all 9 races and wonder how your bill was only $14.50 at the end of day.

I don't know if they do it anymore, but the food up in the Turf Club or whatever they called the 2/3rd floor clubhouse was great 7,8,9 years ago. They ran a good brunch/buffet Sundays.