What tracks have you been to?

[Scanman]

Originally Posted by RunForTheRoses

Great post even if it as been done before. Sandman and TC are amazing.

My list is quite weak compared to them but:

Aqueduct
Belmont
Roosevelt Raceway (harness closed)
Parr Meadows (QH Closed)
Saratoga
Saratoga Harness
Sportsman's Park
Meadowlands
Monmouth
Atlantic City
Garden State
Freehold (Harness)
Monticello
Keystone/Phila/Parx
Delaware
Pocono Downs (Harness)
Pimlico
Del Mar
Santa Anita

That's okay. I bet you found each "new" track experience different and fun. The good news is that you have lots of tracks out there to visit and explore. Just think of all the interesting places those tracks will take you to. The racing is always great, but just think of the secondary effect of visiting a new city or country. Keep going racing!!!

[Scanman]

Originally Posted by TiffaniO

Thanks! Sorry to rehash an old post but I'm new here and didn't see the old one! I'm trying to make some friends! I'm excited, I just hit the pick 5 at MNR!

No apology necessary. This is a great forum and you'll meets lots of exceptionally well informed racing enthusiasts; whether it relative to handicapping, money-management, ownership, and spectators. Though, it looks like you're a pretty good handicapper already. Nice hit!

[Scanman]

Originally Posted by Track Collector

Several years ago Scanman (Tom) "planted" the idea of getting me to accompany him on one of these world-wide racing trips. I had a number of reasons why it was unlikely, and assessed the chances at that time to be 1%. Now chances are still low at about 5%, but likely to increase as time goes by.

Several years ago he made a "dream" trip to Australia where he was able to get in 25 new thoroughbred tracks within a 28-day period. Simply amazing, and not remotely possible here in the US because of timing and distance between tracks.

A few years ago, I and my other track collecting friend Gary (who is not a forum member) were able to meet up with Tom for a day of races at White Pine Raceway (aka Ely) in Nevada. We happened to run into a reporter, and were interviewed by the local newspaper and had our picture taken.

Although we have a significant number of "common" tracks visited, it was pretty neat having 3 guys together who had such high track collecting totals. At the time we did not think about coming up with a grand total for the 3 of us, but it had to be something around 575, with Tom leading the way at around 330.

Cheers, Chris. Congrats on your latest trip. Yeah, one of these days I'll get you to "cross the pond". I'll look forward to hearing about Century Downs next time we talk.

[deathandgravity]

Originally Posted by Scanman

Typical Aussie hospitality. Last year I made a run on tracks in New South Wales, but next trip I may go back to Victoria.

Concerning Bamako, looks like they were still racing as of last year. Check out this link: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-34846506

Excellent... showed it my wife & brought back some memories.
Going to go through our photos & see if I can find any. Not sure I took pictures. Having a camera in West & Central Africa isn't always the smartest move.

Cheers

[Gekish]

In the 50's. Ascot Park Akron Ohio, Randall Park Cleveland Ohio, Toledo Raceway Toledo Ohio, Waterford Park now Mountaineer W. Virginia, Jamaica NYC N.Y.

[Afleet]

Originally Posted by TiffaniO

Speaking of being new... I put my pic up as my avatar and I can't get it to rotate! Help!

I was having the problem and never figured it out, so deleted my avatar

[jahura2]

Originally Posted by TiffaniO

What tracks have you been to, and what order would you rank them in?

Here's my list, from most enjoyable to least.

Mountaineer-I wish I was closer. I love sitting outside in the cushion sits on the apron.

Mahoning Valley- I had fun, a little small but enjoyable.

Colonial Downs- Too bad it closed, they tried really hard with promotions etc to get people there.

Timonium- Loved the bullring.

Thistledown- Went there to watch my horse run. Nice people.

Penn National- Restaurant is good, good drinks.

Laurel- Lots of places to walk up and get food, lots cleaner than it used to be.

Pimlico- Overall good experience.

Delaware- Fun place.

Charles Town- Lots of good times here, but so much could be better.

Calder- Okay, this place was kinda scary!

Del Mar- Hated it! It cost us almost $50 by the time we parked, got a program and DRF, and two really bad seats. We stayed 4 races and left.

Tampa Bay(Florida Downs)
Keeneland-Home Track
Churchill
Latonia(Turfway)-Cut my teeth Here
River Downs (Belterra)
Thistledown
Kentucky Downs
Arlington
Hawthorne
Sportsmans Park
Miles Park(Louisville)
Beulah Park
Hialeah
Gulfstream
Hazel Park
Fairgraounds
Red Mile
Cahokia
Fairmont
Calder

[Track Collector]

Originally Posted by RunForTheRoses

My list is quite weak compared to them but:

Aqueduct
Belmont
Roosevelt Raceway (harness closed)
Parr Meadows (QH Closed)
Saratoga
Saratoga Harness
Sportsman's Park
Meadowlands
Monmouth
Atlantic City
Garden State
Freehold (Harness)
Monticello
Keystone/Phila/Parx
Delaware
Pocono Downs (Harness)
Pimlico
Del Mar
Santa Anita

Let me echo Scanman's sentiments in his response to your post.

No one needs to be concerned or worried that "their" track visit list is "too small" or does not measure up to some of the others.

Your track visit list is a very personal thing and something to be proud of, even if only because you broke out of the mold of just visiting the nearest track to where you live. By listing all these different tracks (specifically those that are still running), I'm sure that Tom (Scanman) will agree that "we" hope to plant some seeds about some interesting tracks that many may have never considered. Regarding those that are in smaller areas and sometimes run in association with some type of agricultural fairs, I must unfortunately say that the window of opportunity to visit them to shrinking, so one should take advantage of a visit sooner rather than later.

Of all the tracks my fellow track-collecting friend Gary has visited over the years, the one that is gone now that I wish I would have been able to get on my visit list is Prescott Downs in AZ. Two other tracks that I had a small chance of visiting the last year they raced and would have delighted in having them on my list were the Marshfield Fair (MA) in 1991 and Salem (OR) in 1999. On the flip side and going from memory, I was able to get in Hollywood Park, Hialeah (running exclusively T-Breds), and Stockton for the first time on their last year of racing. Bay Meadows might also be on this list, but I'm not sure if it was the very last year they raced. (I actually attended racing during the San Mateo fair, which was held at Bay Meadows. This was considered a "lesser" race meet due to smaller purses and field sizes, so instead of Past Performance running lines showing the customary "BM", they used "Bmf".).

[theiman]

Big A
Belmont
Saratoga
Meadowlands
Monmouth
Garden State
Atlantic City
Keystone(never been to Philly Park or Parx)
Delaware
Laurel
Gulfstream
Calder
Hialeah
Keeneland
Churchill
Arlington
Turf Paradise
Del Mar
SA
HP
Golden Gate
Los Al

Foreign
Woodbine- Canada
Fort Erie - Canada
Randwick-Sydney Australia
Canterberry - Sydney Australia
Moonee Valley - Melbourne Australia
Ascot Park - Perth Australia
Elerslie- Auckland NZ

Harness(still going or gone)
Roosevelt
Yonkers
Goshen(when they had wagering)
Monticello
Saratoga Harness
Vernon
Syracuse
Batavia
Meadowlands
Freehold
Garden State
Liberty Bell
Pocono
Brandywine
Laurel Harness/Freestate
Pompano
Red Mile
Maywood
Balmoral
Los Al

Foreign
Canada
Woodbine
Mohawk
Greenwood
Flamboro
Orangeville
Blue Bonnets

Australia
Harold Park-Sydney

New Zealand
Alexandra Park-Auckland

[MonmouthParkJoe]

1-Saratoga: Cant beat it.
2-Monmouth: My home track
3-Santa Anita: The back drop with the mountains is amazing. Granted I was there for the BC and Santa Anita Derby day, but really enjoyed my time
4-Laytown: Races on the beach were something to see. They were gonna try it in AC a couple years ago, not surprisingly that never happened.
5-Belmont: Drive is miserable for me, but always have a great time in the back yard area

Tracks I have been to outside of those up top:
Meadowlands
Aqueduct
Parx
Pocono Downs
Freehold
Delaware Park
Charlestown
Mountaineer
Dover Downs
Zia
Penn National
Rillito!!!!!
Lonestar
Thunder Ridge (horrible little place, not surprising is closed now)
Atlantic City Race Course

Hoping to add a couple of the kentucky tracks this year

[Inner Dirt]

Los Alamitos (First track I went to as a 14 year old)

Pomona/Fairplex (Before the days of OTBs you were betting against a lot the people who came to attend the fair, great payouts)

Agua Caliente (Thoroughbreds in the day, greyhounds at night)
Hollywood Park (First Thoroughbred track I visited)
Santa Anita (Best on track win was there)
Del Mar (Atmosphere, Fish Market after the races for dinner)
Turf Paradise (In 3 way tie for last, one visit, lost my ass)
Pleasanton (In 3 way tie for last, one visit, lost my ass)
Churchill Downs (In 3 way tie for last, one visit, lost my ass)

I think so far I am the only one mentioning Agua Caliente. It was in Mexico, but when it was running Thoroughbreds you did not need a passport and it was maybe only 30 miles south of Del Mar. I believe in ceased being a Thoroughbred track in 1993, I still think they run dogs there.

[Scanman]

Originally Posted by Track Collector

Let me echo Scanman's sentiments in his response to your post.

No one needs to be concerned or worried that "their" track visit list is "too small" or does not measure up to some of the others.

Your track visit list is a very personal thing and something to be proud of, even if only because you broke out of the mold of just visiting the nearest track to where you live. By listing all these different tracks (specifically those that are still running), I'm sure that Tom (Scanman) will agree that "we" hope to plant some seeds about some interesting tracks that many may have never considered. Regarding those that are in smaller areas and sometimes run in association with some type of agricultural fairs, I must unfortunately say that the window of opportunity to visit them to shrinking, so one should take advantage of a visit sooner rather than later.

Well said, Chris.

[Scanman]

Originally Posted by Inner Dirt

I think so far I am the only one mentioning Agua Caliente. It was in Mexico, but when it was running Thoroughbreds you did not need a passport and it was maybe only 30 miles south of Del Mar. I believe in ceased being a Thoroughbred track in 1993, I still think they run dogs there.

For Tijuana, Agua Caliente was a pleasant surprise. Glad you had the chance to go racing there. I went in Jan '86, while attending a service school at Naval Training Center, San Diego. Thankfully, TJ was still somewhat civilized back then. I actually drove my car across the border and made it back in one piece. I didn't expect much, but I thought it was a bit upscale (probably because of the casino). The plant was well appointed and the racing was decent. Shame it closed (built a soccer stadium in the far turn/infield). Though, they still race greyhounds there.

Hopefully, you'll have the chance to visit the Hipodromo de las Americas in Mexico City. Fantastic racecourse/plant, with a very unique paddock.

[clocker7]

The Gold Coast track in Australia 40 years ago was cute.
Many other Aussie tracks, including the flat and trotters in Cairns.
No. CA fair circuit -- all of them (Santa Rosa and dumpy Vallejo were fun)
Main WA tracks, including YM and Pla
Portland Meadows
Exhibition Park Vancouver BC
Obscure NZ tracks ... Addington comes to mind, but there were many others.
Kee and CD
SA
TuP
GG
BM

Very first: Coeur d'Alene, ID. Grandstand still there, track gone in 1983.

[Fan Since The 50's]

I have been to the following tracks:
Thoroughbred:
Bowie - Loved old Bowie - the ultimate no frills track for the racing addict. Once made an 82 mile trip to Bowie during a day when 18 inches of snow was forecast. I slid all over the road driving down there, and heck we only received a foot of snow. The races were cancelled after the Daily Double. I bought enough programs (with free admission coupons) to get in the rest of the meet. Program salesmen said "I know what you are doing."
Pimlico - I saw Secretariat, Seattle Slew and Affirmed score in the Triple Crown here. The 1970s were a magical time for racing greats.
Laurel - I saw many DC International races here. That alone makes Laurel special to me.
Hagerstown Fair - Until 1965 this was a half mile track. Until you have seen racing at a true half mile track, you haven't really seen a bull ring! It enlarged to a massive 5/8 mile strip in 1965. I still have a handful of 1958 tote tickets that I collected there as a 4 year old child.
Timonium - Racing by the ferris wheel during the Maryland State Fair.
Charles Town - My first love and all time sentimental favorite. I spent enough time here during college to earn a Masters degree in horse racing. It could have become something really special with that casino money.
Shenandoah Downs - This was a very picturesque 5/8 mile track that shamed old Charles Town to renovate back when they were competitors down the street from each other.
Delaware Park - Loved this plant so much 40 years ago that I made numerous 200 mile round trips almost every Sunday. The paddock was truly beautiful.
Belmont Park - Have only been there 3 times. When I saw it in 1990 for the Belmont Stakes I was in awe. I stood at the rail and literally had a tear in my thinking of all the stars that raced down that stretch. The 1990 Breeders Cup tore a huge hole in my heart that day. I sat entirely too close to the spot were Go For Wand broke down.
Penn National - This track brought my childhood dream of working at the track a reality. I sadly discovered that being a racing official really wasn't for me.
Keystone - That's what Parx was called when I was there. Seemed like a factory sort of track.
Gulfstream - I thought this track was heaven on earth during my 1983 visit! Everything was just perfect for this fan used to spending his winters at Bowie.
Hialeah - Traveled here from Ft. Lauderdale to see the plant on a non racing day. Track was surely beautiful, but got hopelessly lost driving each way.
Colonial Downs - Delightful plant that sat in the middle of nowhere between Richmond and Williamsburg. It was a turf lover's paradise.
Arlington - Attended the first Million back in 1981. Totally delightful plant. It is really sad to see how low the purse structure has sunk there. Also paid visits to Sportsman and Hawthorne on non racing days thanks to my horseman friend.
Del Mar - My current favorite track. It looks like the perfect set to make a horse racing movie. Don't get me started about that Del Mar eye candy!
Harness Tracks:
Laurel/Freestate Raceway
Rosecroft
Ocean Downs
Brandywine
Freehold