Horse Racing Fantasy Community

My favorite tracks that I have been to are Santa Anita and then Del Mar.

Arlington Park is the best track I've ever seen. Del mar and Santa Anita are nice too.

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May they all come home safely!!!

I've been to Churchill and Keeneland several times, and Hoosier, and Gulfstream once apiece.

Overall favorite- Keeneland. Beautiful setting, can go behind the scenes watching workouts, visiting the backstretch, etc. Can just pull up a bench and sit wherever you want. Always top-quality horses to watch.

Home track and best day of racing- Churchill. I get chills every time I see those twin spires. Best day of racing I ever saw was last year's Stephen Foster. Winners that day included Hystericalady, Dreaming of Anna, Pyro, Tiz Dejavu, and of course, Curlin. Not only that, the weather was perfect and we got a spot right across from the finish line. And in the first race I got some really awesome pictures of Turf Club, a white mare. I love watching the morning workouts from the track kitchen. For my 15th b-day I went on a tour of the backside and when a farrier found out it was my birthday he gave me a racing plate.

Most charming- Hoosier. I just liked this track, it had a down to earth feel to it. The day I went I got to go to the backside to visit some horses I'd hotwalked, then I headed over to the grandstand. programs were free and I also got a free poster autographed by 8 of the jockeys. All in all a very good day, except for the drunk that kept bugging everyone during the first two races. After a while I told him to get lost and he left and didn't come back. Lol.

Least favorite- Gulfstream. Felt too much emphasis was on the casino, not enough on the actual horses and racing. One positive was that the paddock was beautiful. Some things I didn't like was that workouts weren't "allowed" to be watched so we drove to the far parking lot and spied on them next to the rail, lol. The aura in general at Gulfstream just came off as being a little cold and out of touch. Don't get me wrong though, I did enjoy the racing.

Let us run with perseverance the race that is marked out for us.
-Heb 12:1

We've had this one before. A good racetrack is a nice place to be.
My favorites are Belmont and my home track of Oaklawn.

Oaklawn looked great on T.V. last week.

I do however apologize to all parties for our track announcer. Bless his little heart, I'm sure he does his best, but jeeeez o'pete!....well, it's just sad is what it is.

Theoph1000

While the Aiken training track is, well, a training track, I love it. The horses that come through there are wonderful, and the people are at a more leisurely pace. The track surface is comfy and soft, the horses love it, and everyone seems content.

Keeneland is my next choice. HOW CAN YOU NOT CHOOSE THIS PLACE?!?! I adore it. The colors, the atmosphere, and the horses. They really seem to bloom in Kentucky.

I have to go with Tampa Bay Downs the people are so nice and the place itself is amazing... The most underrated track ever...
"A horse runs with his body, a horse wins a race with his heart"

I cant say what the best track is since I have not been to that many....but I do LOVE Monmouth.

Tracks I have been:
Monmouth Park
Meadowlands
Atlantic City (going next week)
Philadelphia Park
Penn National
Belmont Park
Golden Gate Park
Keenland (non racing day)
Churchill Downs

Really want to go to soon:
Saratoga
Del Mar
Santa Anita
Gulfstream
Ascot
Arlington Park

I would have to say my favorite tracks are Keeneland, Oaklawn, Prairie Meadows, and Arlington.

I'm kind of glad to hear you make that comment on the track announcer, because I was wondering about that! I guess that's all part of it being a family-run operation and having the same folks in charge. I have to say I'm not too crazy about the recap show that was shown on HRTV, either. Obviously the guy doing it has been in the business for years and is THE voice of the Arkansas breeding industry (small as it may be....) and very involved in Oaklawn, but geez---do I REALLY care about who you are picking while you're speaking over the full replay?!?

Still, the track gets high marks year in and year out, and it looks just beautiful on television. I'd rather have that down-home southern hospitality with all its faults over sanitized racing any day, I guess!

Ken

All the sugestions are great, unfortunatly only been to Tracks in England and Cheltenham has to be the best for me. Or Aintree on Grand National Day.

Old Gulfstream Park
Calder
Delaware Park
New Gulfstream Park
Tampa Bay Downs
Charles Town
Pimlico
Laurel

It's got to be my local track. Gowran Park, in Carlow, Ireland. It's shaped kinda like an egg. One sharp-ish turn and one long sweeping bend. A few changes in gradient, will a 3 furlong uphill finish. It has only one Grade 3 1m3f race on it's racing calendar. It's mostly maidens, handicaps and a handful of listed races. But, it's a nice compact track, the betting is good, and a fun day out.

I've only ever been to one race track and thats Hamilton Races here in Scotland. Excellent day/night out expecially if its some sort of corporate function.

We also have Ayr race course about 50 miles from where I am and thats definately on the list.

ooops double post, sorry.

Even though Churchill is my home track and hallowed ground, as well as where I go the most, Keeneland is heaven on earth....except for now having the fake track which i'm not a fan of. Place I most want to visit though - Saratoga!

1. Woodbine (Home Track)
2. Saratoga
3. Tampa Bay Downs
4. Churchill Downs
5. Monmouth Park

My favorite tracks:
The Meadows (Harness)
Penn National
Pocono Downs (Harness)
Churchill
Woodbine
Del Mar
Aqueduct
Charles Town
The Meadowlands
Monmouth

i have been to Churchill, Keenland, and Arlington. all 3 are beautiful. but none of these can match the atmosphere at Ellis Park. there are so many friendly people there. reminds me so much of this community. also reminds me of my grandma's old house. not much to look at on the outside. but once you go inside, you never want to leave.

#1 Keeneland #2 Del Mar,#3 Santa Anita #4 Beulah Park...Stan

Whaley's Stables
Home to some of the World's Finest Gin
"At Least Temporarily"

My favorite track is Saratoga. It's too bad it is only open for a month a year. Other tracks I go to are Finger Lakes,Belmont and Aqueduct. I have been to Churchill Downs but still think Saratoga is the best track in the world. There is a lot of history and the atmosphere is just terrific. It doesn't hurt that it is 20 minutes from my house.

Old Jefferson Downs, now closed, Fair Grounds, Lone Star Park. I want to make a trip to Gulfstream Park. I heard from a friend who has gone there since the improvements, He said it was outstanding.

I've been to many tracks, but my all time favorite would have to be Shenandoah Downs. It was a very small 4f track that was literally right across the street from Charles Town.
The horses were dirt cheap, but the place was beautiful. A fantastic view of the Appalachain Mountains an racing under the lights. I really miss that place !!!

My other favorites:
Bowie, known as "The Track in the Pines"
Pimlico
Delaware Park
Atlantic City
Belmont
Saratoga
El Commandante in Puerto Rico....talk about a view !!!!
Jefferson Downs

Being from the west coast and visiting around 15 tracks i would have to say its a tossup betweeen Santa Anita and Del Mar. There is nothing like a crisp winter day and having snow atop Mount Wilson on the beautiful San Gabriel Montains backdrop.Everytime i step into the grounds at Santa Anita there is a nostalgic feeling in the air.
Del Mar in the summertime is just as great, the cool ocean breeze hitting you on those hot summer days is amazing and the rumors are true, Del Mar does have the best looking people than any other track...lol
If your looking for worst tracks its hands down Hollywood Park BY FAR...lol

Bay Meadows south of San Francisco, California. Built in 1934. Same year as, Santa Anita. Torn down in 2008. Gone, but not forgotten. Being one of the older members of this forum, I strated going to Bay Meadows with my Dad around 1945. Sixty three years in all. Lots of fond memories. I remember all of the young service men and women going to Bay Meadows when the war ended. A very exciting time.

Dewyane Millard: Keeneland is my favorite since they started to quit frowning down on the working class types. Now they market the racing experience to everyone.