Horse Racing Forum - PaceAdvantage.Com - Horse Racing Message Board

Go Back   Horse Racing Forum - PaceAdvantage.Com - Horse Racing Message Board > Thoroughbred Horse Racing Discussion > General Racing Discussion


Reply
 
Thread Tools Rate Thread
Old 08-02-2016, 11:10 AM   #1
1st time lasix
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,037
My trip to Saratoga....

Arrived from my flight in on Tuesday afternoon..... In order to properly get "in the mood" we went immediately to the Racing Hall of Fame Museum. Browsed through all the paintings,..sculptures,...pictures.... and video history of the greats of the game. Met our local hosts at Sperry's Restaurant downtown where they have solid fare, an all-mahogany wood bar and plenty of racing illustrations on the walls. At dawn-- we went to the Oklahoma training track to watch some works and the busy actions of all the hands at the stables. The following morning we went to the backside of the main track to get a cheap breakfast sandwich and watch the works at the sun rose. So many horses with the Chad brown, Todd Pletcher, Chris Clement and Linda Rice saddlecloths. We experienced the afternoon racing from many different angles...the rail, the grandstand, reserved seats and even in a private owners box sipping champagne on Thursday. My lady wore a different summer dress and a fancy hat each day. Fortunately, we had credentials that allowed us to enter the paddock pre-race before the juvenile and feature races about three times each day. It was neat to be so close to observe the game's star personalities. The crowd on the weekend was massive.. but very well behaved. There was music playing and people having fun near the picnic tables between races. The racing itself was spectacular and rather unpredictable. After the last race...we had to stop at Siro's for a cold one or two before walking back home. Got some Hattie's chicken, a Marino's pizza and rubbed shoulders with horse people at a couple of classic bars in town. We admired the expensive racing artwork and seeing all the majestic animals. Wish I could tell you I won a lot of coin.... but the memories will last far longer than the painful sting of a missed photo finish. Hope I get to return someday.
1st time lasix is offline   Reply With Quote Reply
Old 08-02-2016, 11:21 AM   #2
wisconsin
Registered User
 
wisconsin's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Mukwonago, WI
Posts: 3,196
There is nothing anywhere like Saratoga, and I am wishing I could go back this year, it's simply not in the cards.
__________________
"I don't always frequent message boards, but when I do, I prefer PaceAdvantage."
wisconsin is online now   Reply With Quote Reply
Old 08-02-2016, 12:11 PM   #3
ReplayRandall
Buckle Up
 
ReplayRandall's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 10,614
Quote:
Originally Posted by wisconsin
There is nothing anywhere like Saratoga, and I am wishing I could go back this year, it's simply not in the cards.
It's obvious you've never been to Del Mar......Pure horse racing Paradise.
ReplayRandall is offline   Reply With Quote Reply
Old 08-02-2016, 12:56 PM   #4
Cratos
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: The Big Apple
Posts: 4,252
Quote:
Originally Posted by 1st time lasix
Arrived from my flight in on Tuesday afternoon..... In order to properly get "in the mood" we went immediately to the Racing Hall of Fame Museum. Browsed through all the paintings,..sculptures,...pictures.... and video history of the greats of the game. Met our local hosts at Sperry's Restaurant downtown where they have solid fare, an all-mahogany wood bar and plenty of racing illustrations on the walls. At dawn-- we went to the Oklahoma training track to watch some works and the busy actions of all the hands at the stables. The following morning we went to the backside of the main track to get a cheap breakfast sandwich and watch the works at the sun rose. So many horses with the Chad brown, Todd Pletcher, Chris Clement and Linda Rice saddlecloths. We experienced the afternoon racing from many different angles...the rail, the grandstand, reserved seats and even in a private owners box sipping champagne on Thursday. My lady wore a different summer dress and a fancy hat each day. Fortunately, we had credentials that allowed us to enter the paddock pre-race before the juvenile and feature races about three times each day. It was neat to be so close to observe the game's star personalities. The crowd on the weekend was massive.. but very well behaved. There was music playing and people having fun near the picnic tables between races. The racing itself was spectacular and rather unpredictable. After the last race...we had to stop at Siro's for a cold one or two before walking back home. Got some Hattie's chicken, a Marino's pizza and rubbed shoulders with horse people at a couple of classic bars in town. We admired the expensive racing artwork and seeing all the majestic animals. Wish I could tell you I won a lot of coin.... but the memories will last far longer than the painful sting of a missed photo finish. Hope I get to return someday.
I am glad that you had an enjoyable trip to the Spa; I have been going there for 40+ years and it has always been fun.
__________________
Independent thinking, emotional stability, and a keen understanding of both human and institutional behavior are vital to long-term investment success – My hero, Warren Edward Buffett

"Science is correct; even if you don't believe it" - Neil deGrasse Tyson
Cratos is offline   Reply With Quote Reply
Old 08-02-2016, 12:58 PM   #5
wisconsin
Registered User
 
wisconsin's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Mukwonago, WI
Posts: 3,196
Quote:
Originally Posted by ReplayRandall
It's obvious you've never been to Del Mar......Pure horse racing Paradise.

Yeah, been there a couple of times as well. Not the same as Saratoga, the city or the atmosphere.

I will admit, racing in the afternoon followed by wading in the ocean is pretty cool, followed by dinner at the Corvette Diner.
__________________
"I don't always frequent message boards, but when I do, I prefer PaceAdvantage."
wisconsin is online now   Reply With Quote Reply
Old 08-02-2016, 01:02 PM   #6
lamboguy
Registered User
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Boston+Ocala
Posts: 23,657
i will be there on August 13th for the FOURSTARDAVE
lamboguy is online now   Reply With Quote Reply
Old 08-02-2016, 01:06 PM   #7
Cratos
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: The Big Apple
Posts: 4,252
Quote:
Originally Posted by ReplayRandall
It's obvious you've never been to Del Mar......Pure horse racing Paradise.
I have been to Santa Anita and the bygone Hollywood Park, but never to Del Mar; why do you consider it a "paradise"?

I am not questioning your description of Del Mar, I just want an understanding.
__________________
Independent thinking, emotional stability, and a keen understanding of both human and institutional behavior are vital to long-term investment success – My hero, Warren Edward Buffett

"Science is correct; even if you don't believe it" - Neil deGrasse Tyson
Cratos is offline   Reply With Quote Reply
Old 08-02-2016, 01:13 PM   #8
Redboard
$2 Showbettor
 
Redboard's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: The Villages
Posts: 2,574
Quote:
Originally Posted by ReplayRandall
It's obvious you've never been to Del Mar......Pure horse racing Paradise.
Not sure if this is a joke, but I'll bite.

How many times have you been to the SPA?
Redboard is online now   Reply With Quote Reply
Old 08-02-2016, 03:37 PM   #9
Mike at A+
Software Developer
 
Mike at A+'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Lehigh Valley, PA
Posts: 2,391
Just got back from 6 days in Saratoga and going again 8/13-15. We hit our usual places (George's Steakhouse for Prime Rib in Lake George, Forno on the strip for good Italian, Siam Thai/Sushi and Davidson's Brew Pub in Glens Falls, Adirondack Pub in Lake George, Adirondack Steak and Seafood on a day trip to Lake Placid). As we were leaving yesterday, we decided to have lunch on the strip before hitting the road. Parked the car, got out and started walking north toward Caroline St. It was then that we noticed .....

LILLIAN'S IS CLOSED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

One of the most famous spots on the strip closed down after 30 years! We only ate there a handful of times but always stopped in for one of their classic Bloody Marys. Very sad that such a Saratoga mainstay is now gone.
__________________
Friends don't let friends bet show.
The race track is the only place in the world where windows clean people.
http://www.aplusthorobred.com
Mike at A+ is offline   Reply With Quote Reply
Old 08-02-2016, 03:56 PM   #10
thespaah
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 7,510
Quote:
Originally Posted by lamboguy
i will be there on August 13th for the FOURSTARDAVE
That's the only day you'll be there>
I am headed up on the 16th. Most likely i will be at the track on that Wednesday for a few races anyway.
thespaah is offline   Reply With Quote Reply
Old 08-02-2016, 04:34 PM   #11
biggestal99
Registered User
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 4,520
Quote:
Originally Posted by ReplayRandall
It's obvious you've never been to Del Mar......Pure horse racing Paradise.
Been to both many times first time at Saratoga 1976 and first time at del mar 1984, each track is unique, handicapping slightly easier at Del mar due to the weather and lack of shippers.

Both rate very highly for great tracks to visit.

Allan
biggestal99 is offline   Reply With Quote Reply
Old 08-02-2016, 05:05 PM   #12
lamboguy
Registered User
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Boston+Ocala
Posts: 23,657
Quote:
Originally Posted by thespaah
That's the only day you'll be there>
I am headed up on the 16th. Most likely i will be at the track on that Wednesday for a few races anyway.
i will probably be there the 14th as well for the sale across the street.
lamboguy is online now   Reply With Quote Reply
Old 08-03-2016, 11:10 PM   #13
BMustang
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 236
Call me crazy, but my trip to Saratoga now stops at Presque Isle Downs.

For years I drove to Saratoga from Cincinnati via Presque Isle and Finger Lakes, but since my last trip to the spa, the year that Tom Durkin retired, I now come to Presque Isle, devotedly play the Saratoga races by day and the Presque live card by evening/night without venturing farther east on I-90.

I really miss breakfast at the Malta Diner and the hub-bub around the track and downtown, while staying down at Round Lake for a song. However, old age and lack of buddies to make the trip with, brings me here for a week each summer and it is quite nice. There are a couple of nice Italian restaurants downtown Eire, Pa, and at $67 a night in the nicest Super 8 in the world it works for me.

There is nothing like Saratoga (for us Easterners) and if you have the chance by all means go.
BMustang is offline   Reply With Quote Reply
Old 08-04-2016, 06:57 AM   #14
Ocala Mike
Registered User
 
Ocala Mike's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 5,005
I will be making a "pilgrimage" up there next week, and will be at the track 8/10-8/13. Will be staying at the Spa Motel on Ballston St. downtown. Reliving old times when I used to work up there every August; kind of a "bucket list" trip.
Ocala Mike is offline   Reply With Quote Reply
Old 08-04-2016, 06:29 PM   #15
tanner12oz
Registered User
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,458
Its a great place up there. Will be there with the masses again for Travers weekend. Great times. I stay in Albany make the trek from Pittsburgh area.
tanner12oz is offline   Reply With Quote Reply
Reply




Thread Tools
Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

» Advertisement
Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 08:00 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.9
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Copyright 1999 - 2023 -- PaceAdvantage.Com -- All Rights Reserved
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program
designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.