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.

Originally Posted by eurobounce

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.

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by boldruler

the weather is awful, and there is nothing to do there outside of racing.

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.

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

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.

Originally Posted by eurobounce

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

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?

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

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.

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.

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by boldruler

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.

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.

[Togacapper]

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

[Exceller]

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.

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by Togacapper

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

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

[Gander]

There really is no argument because the only thing that is cut and dry is the racing is better in Saratoga. That can not be argued. Del Mar's racing is a joke and not really a big upgrade (if any) from Hollywood Park.

Everything else is what you prefer personally and thats different things to different people. I have met people who claim Saratoga has the best restaurants and nightlife. To each their own.

[Exceller]

Originally Posted by Gander

There really is no argument because the only thing that is cut and dry is the racing is better in Saratoga. That can not be argued. Del Mar's racing is a joke and not really a big upgrade (if any) from Hollywood Park.

Everything else is what you prefer personally and thats different things to different people. I have met people who claim Saratoga has the best restaurants and nightlife. To each their own.

Sorry but I love Saratoga but the restaurants and nightlife in San Diego put Saratoga to shame. San Diego is probably the nicest place in the US. Anyone who told you Saratoga has the better restaurants and nightlife has never been to Del Mar.

[Gander]

Been to San Diego about 4 times and loved every minute. Wont disagree at all regarding the restaurants as I am a huge mexican food fan and San Diego has some of the best I have ever had. Saratoga has okay restaurants but they charge far too much for what you get and the choices seem to be very limited. If you arent much in to food and willing to pay $28 for a average steak with frozen veges than you'll be fine.

I cant comment on the women as I am very happily married but folks, use your imagination! You ever see the show Baywatch? Thats what girls really do look like in Southern Cal!

Keeneland was what got me started on being a track degenerate, but let me tell you it is not as good as DMR or SAR.

First of all Kee is soooo tiny that a sunny Saturday crowd of 30,000 has absolutely NO WHERE to go. You are shoulder-to-shoulder. The crowd is 90% frat & sorority peeps who are staggering around bleary-eyed and taking up space and getting in the way of the betting lines. Which take forever. The apron is the ONLY one in the country to face INTO the sun, leaving you burnt to a crisp and squinting all afternoon. The speed bias is so ridiculous that the racing is irrelevant b/c the form doesn't hold up.

And yes I'm grateful to have Kee, but now that i have seen real tracks like Arlington and Belmont I realize it is kinda crappy in some ways.

[Togacapper]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

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

No Kenny decided to show up after the races one day..I heard his piece on ESPN comparing Saratoga to Delmar.Sorry just had to speak my mind to him...You cant' knock our history our tradition our passion ,no comparision in the daily purses. Blows Delmar away, you want a track next to a beach....then you belong @ Delmar

[Kasept]

Originally Posted by Togacapper

you want a track next to a beach....then you belong @ Delmar

Under that criteria, "track next to a beach", Monmouth comes out ahead of Del Mar too...