People line up daily at Pat's and Geno's... Does that mean they have the best steaks in Philadelphia?

Oaklawn can be pretty cold and miserable at the beginning of the season too. I think it was year before last that they closed the track on President's Day after about the 3rd race because the track was frozen. Not unusual at all to have snow or worse an ice storm around opening day. End of the season, just the opposite. Everything green, azaleas blooming, trees in the infield blooming (apple blossoms?). Definitely recommend visiting later in the race meet.

If they all had dirt surfaces, it would be a no brainer--Keeneland, by far, with Del Mar second. But I hate those frigging surfaces.

Santa Anita is very nice, so long as it is not 99 degrees and choked with smoke like BC 2003.

Oaklawn is nice as well, not up with the other 3 IMO.

The U of K girls at Keeneland--very nice if you are a dirty old man.

If you like to see, meet, and greet some HOT,smokin' hot women,both on and off the track, Del Mar is your place. Plenty of eye candy everywhere. Keeneland is a must also,especially on college day. I would recommend Keeneland in the fall over spring,as the wind and the temp are sometimes brutal.

Track and racing experience only, I would rank them:

1. Del Mar
2. Santa Anita
3. Keeneland
4. Oaklawn (have not visited, so I have no opinion)

I spent three days at Keeneland about 8 years ago and once you got past the beauty of the track and paddock area, I didn't get it. I couldn't wait to get out of there by day 3. Every day reminded me of the amateur hour your get at the Derby or BC. Betting lines were long and slow. Food and beverage lines were long and slow. These days, with the ability to wager on your phone, the betting lines would not be an issue, but I much preferred the on track experiences at the Cali tracks over Keeneland.

I know the thread starter did not want to consider the off track environments, but SD > LA > Lex. That does factor into my trip making decisions.

San Diego is only a short ride to Tijuana, isn't it?

Indian Charlie loved it so much in Southern California, that he moved to Maine for no reason at all but to escape it.

I don't think I could live there either, but it is fun to visit. Plenty of options.

Thank you all for your thoughts. Some very intereting information! I'm no closer to making a decision though. Leaning towards Keeneland... Wondering how I can pull that off with the better half, considering I insist on a Saratoga trip every year and I'm not giving that one up.

you-few-is-tik: some type of literary elegance. Thanks, Steve, for the word of the day.

Threaten to take her to West Virginia instead for a double-header at Mountaineer and Wheeling Downs.

Well, that's always the tricky part - keeping the missus happy. Since you are at a bit of an impasse, you may want to see what works for her (that is, if you planned on taking her with you).

Great responses from the board members and for me you really can't go wrong with any of the choices (though if it were Oaklawn, I'd wait to the end of the meet).

Also tell her that dinner will be at this 4-star establishment:




Lunch will consist of the following:




And no one goes to West Va without carrying a small concealed handgun.

Pretty much for the same reason as Steve. You can't beat the magnificent backdrop of the San Gabriel's, along with the tall palms in the infield and the unique 6 1/2 furlong grass chute. Just an awesome place to go racing.

In the case of Keeneland, I caught it on a beautiful fall day and had a fantastic experience. Tons of tradition and one of the nicest paddock's in the US. But not quite as picturesque as Santa Anita.

.......couldt agree more, born and raised in so. cal. i have always stated del mar is overrated.....i would rather go to H.P. as far as oaklawn, any track with no turf is minor leagues.

surface-wise, i'd say go to oaklawn. but, at days' end, the other three tracks have a lot more on offer than hot springs, ar can ever hope to have.
if you're looking for the best all-around experience, del mar and santa anita would probably be your best bets. i'd put oaklawn last. but it depends on what else you're looking for.
i've never had a bad time at oaklawn-it's after the racing is over that things get tricky!

if you do opt to ever visit oaklawn, i recommend fisherman's wharf for dinner after.

Jim's by open lengths.

Oh my God.

but you better be there on a halfway warm, partly sunny day because if it's windy, dark, cold and rainy, it's miserable.

Sounds like Aqueduct.

If she doesn't like horses and/or racing, than you've got to choose a location that has something for her. You get Saturday at the races she gets whatever day for what she wants to do. You both win.

If you do decide on Del Mar, I've got a great and very affordable (if that is a consideration) recommendation for a vacation condo in La Jolla.

1- DelMar
2_ Oaklawn
3-Santa Anita
4- Keenland
Been to all of them, and all i want to do if it is a 3 day trip is chill after the races and cap the next day card....and of course go to a good place to eat after the races.

Del mar has the beach in the AM before the races which is a BIG plus.
Oaklawn has early morning fishing if your into that.