Del Mar vs Saratoga
 

Which do people prefer? I have been to both and think Del Mar is just a better track and more enjoyable. The weather makes it better in my opinion.

This is easy:

Del Mar is the Taj Mahal, but nobody is home...catch my drift?...absolutely beautiful facility and setting and is truly at the top of the game in luxury, but the fields are short and the horse flesh is not even close to that of Saratoga.

Saratoga, on the other hand, is full of history and tradition (which others on this board are way more qualified to speak to) and it supposedly horse racing heaven. I have never been there but would LOVE to go soon...it is the single most place I want to go in the world. The racing at Saratoga is the best in the world...period...there is not close to a tougher meet. Even the cheap horses are the best cheap horses in the world....they ALL can run. Maidens that finish 5th at Saratoga could win at just about any other meet in the country..it is that intense from a competition standpoint.

The Spa is a handicappers and a racing traditionalists dream....Del Mar is more for the ritzy high societors....

I see what you are saying but it is like going to Yankee Stadium vs the newer stadiums. Yankee Stadium in nice but if you are going to spend that type of cash you have to get more. The newer stadiums are just nicer. Saratoga is ridiculously expensive to stay there, the weather is awful, and there is nothing to do there outside of racing. I usually go up on an Amtrak, spend 2 nights and the amtrak plus hotel costs about $600. We used to rent a house for a week but it wasn't worth it because while the racing is great the rain and 90 degree days just make it unbearable.

I don't know why, but I love Belmont on the weekends in the fall. Not too many people there and the weather is great.

The two offer different things and they do it brilliantly. However, the racing is better at Saratoga and the women are better at Del Mar.

I think that is correct as long as the Saratoga meet doesn't get washed out.

The weather is hardly " awful ". It may not be San Diego, but the weather is terrific most of the time. And, as for there being nothing to do outside of racing....have you actually been there?

I can't speak for you but I seem to find plenty to do from about 10am to 4am.

The other six hours aren't that bad either.

Umm there are countless of things to do in Saratoga in the summer. It is a wonderful place.

I have probably been to a combined 100 days at Saratoga over the years. The weather is not so good. Always hot and rains way too much. I like the early mornings but the evenings are painfully boring. The downtown scene is really weak after the first few times you have been there. I am going to guess you have never been to Del Mar.

The racing is great but you can't compare San Diego to Saratoga Springs. Del Mar is such a better time than Saratoga that the two really aren't comparable. What is there to do in Saratoga?

I did not compare it to Del Mar, nor do I have any interest in doing so, and I say to each his ( or her ) own. However, to suggest there is nothing to do in Saratoga is ridiculous. My biggest problem is finding enough time to do everything I want to do.

Painfully boring??? You are clearly hanging out with the wrong crowd.

Well I dont what kind of things you are interested in. But the nightlife for me is fine.

If you are searching for club and a party atmospere then Del Mar towers over Saratoga. But I am not into those things.

I guess it is ok but the problem is there are a limited number of restaurants and places to go out drinking and they never change each summer. I guess I have just been there too many times and find it overpriced for what you get out of it.

Saratoga's downtown scene?... Its okay if you are in your early 20's single and have the energy to stay out late. But other than that the choices are very limited and the food isnt all that great, save for 1 or 2 restaurants which you'll find yourself waiting for a table unless you want to eat dinner at 5pm. But like Euro I am really not much of a night owl and could care less.

The racing sucks at Del Mar compared to Saratoga, not even comparable.

Never have been to Del Mar while its in session but I have spent time in San Diego and La Jolla and its beautiful with tons of stuff to do. I'd find it hard wasting 6 hours at the track when I could be at the beach or at a Padres game. The food is crazy good and the prices are much better than Saratoga, relative to the choices you get.

I live in NY too and have been to Saratoga enough and San Diego is just more of a vacation for me I guess. The racing at Saratoga is better but I find myself enjoying watching racing on tv more than live simply because I recently got a new TV and horse racing is becoming much like football where it is more fun to sit at home and bet and watch the races or games on tv with a beer and pizza. I do still love Belmont on the weekends. No crowds.

The majority of time I go to the race track at Saratoga (1/2 mile from my house) I end up watching almost all the races on TV monitors anyways. Its good to go and see friends but apart from that I enjoy watching race from home more. Especially being able to eat and drink whatever I want without having to pay $3 for a bottle of water and $10 for a hamburger that isnt much better than a Mcdonalds 1/4pounder.

San Diego is like fantasy land with the weather being perfect and the women being nice to look at and nice to talk to (No NY attitudes). Not sure I could ever live there but I sure like visiting. Far too much to do there than to waste 6 hours stressing over doubles and exactas. LOL!

Please don't get me started on this questions. Last year I had to set Kenny Mane straight on this matter in front of the whole crowd at Siros. Two different tracks two different settings. Except one has racing that sets itself apart from the rest of the world.
Just my opinion

I like Keeneland better than both, but I would take Del Mar over Saratoga only because it rains every time I go to saratoga. Only went to Del Mar 2 days on vacation and it really is pretty awesome. The big races at Saratoga are better though but there are too many 2yr old races for me.

Am I really hearing this ARGUMENT? lol

Saratoga wins. Bigger and more relaxed and park like, bring the kids if you want or sit on a bench or picnic or wander around to the paddock. So many places to go and watch and different types of experiecnes. IMO the nightlife is fine downtown, IMO any city only needs a few *GOOD* bars/restaurants to get by, just go to those and chill out -- whose in a hurry during summer? Plus every one of your favorite horses will be there to take pics of, sometimes if just in an allowance! that would be graded stakes at another track!

Del Mar i have only been to on opening day. The crowd knows nothing whatsoever about the racing. But the eye candy is faaaaaaaaaaaaar better as far as human fillies go. The venue is much newer and very nice, but muuuuch smaller and no park setting, not relaxed, uptight and busy bustling. Again that is just opening day but it is too packed to enjoy as much as SAR.

Kenny Mayne never did the seminars with us. I assume you mean Jay Privman.

I don't think you set Kenny Mayne straight. That guy loves Del Mar more than any other track. I still will take the Keeneland racing over Saratoga.