You do need to have credentials or be a guest of someone that has credentials in order to visit the backstretch. Anyone used to be able to enter the backstretch or the Oklahoma training track until they changed the security policy a few years ago. Just a heads up.
Mark.
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Originally Posted by Storm Cadet
Please make sure you head to the backstretch one morning with the kids!
It is an unbelievable experience for the kids (and adults) to be 30-50 feet away hanging on the outside rail as the horses are working out. On the backstretch is where all the horses enter and exit the main track for works and breezes as well as be there in person for the schooling and gate drills. There is no better AM rush than to see 50 feet away, the speed of horses breaking from the gate!
There is a facility there that serves coffee, juice, pastries, sandwiches, snacks and that is where you'll see most owners, trainers and jockeys each morning up close. Bring a camera. The barns are located right there and you' and the kids can watch the horses being cooled down and washed post workouts. If you see a blacksmith near a barn, try to watch the horses being re-shoed, from a safe distance. The blacksmiths there are great guys and they'll almost always give the kids the discarded or used shoes as a memento! They have very clean restrooms for the kids and it's very safe! It's a very relaxed atmosphere, but a very special one!
If your interested, let me know when your going to be there and I wouldn't mind giving you and your family a tour of my barns where I've got horses.
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07-15-2007, 01:13 PM
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