Of these 4 tracks I have never visited...

[scanman]

Originally Posted by GoIrish

... please prioritize them for me. I'd like to plan a trip for next year to one of the following:

Oaklawn
Keeneland
Del Mar
Santa Anita

Which is most worthy to visit first (since it might be the only opportunity I get). Base your answers on the track and racing experience only. I already know it's hard to top San Diego as an overall destination .

1) Santa Anita
2) Keeneland
3) Del Mar
4) Oaklawn

[Calzone Lord]

The best part about Keeneland is the library.

A lot of nice looking and tastefully dressed college girls as well.

Not a fan of the food to the point where I would eat at the track kitchen instead of at the track.

I've never been compelled to visit Southern California or Arkansas.

[Gate Dancer]

Originally Posted by Calzone Lord

Not a fan of the food to the point where I would eat at the track kitchen instead of at the track.

Definitley agree with that............it was just more about the experience. Bobby Ussery was having breakfast just a couple of tables away.

[PatCummings]

Originally Posted by Gate Dancer

Definitley agree with that............it was just more about the experience. Bobby Ussery was having breakfast just a couple of tables away.

If you ever wanted to experience what horse racing was like in heaven, why wait...go to Keeneland.

1. Keeneland
2. Del Mar
3. Santa Anita

Never been to Oaklawn.

[Calzone Lord]

I was way more interested in the library when I was there. It's worth the trip for that alone. Old DRF chart books are all over in there. Lots of great books and great material just in those cabinet things.

The racing atmosphere was obviously good and the ivy and all of that is a cool touch -- but there was a pretentious element to it. The applause after every single race as the horses come back, the fact that burgoo is served everywhere but a lot of logical foods that are found at other tracks aren't and the ones that are were rubbish. A lot of young and well-dressed people who are only there for the social aspects.

[pweizer]

Keeneland is far and away the best live experience. Not even close.

Paul

[TheSpyder]

I'm getting my ass to Keeneland very soon! Done most of the rest of the good ones.

[Sightseek]

Originally Posted by Calzone Lord

I was way more interested in the library when I was there. It's worth the trip for that alone. Old DRF chart books are all over in there. Lots of great books and great material just in those cabinet things.

The racing atmosphere was obviously good and the ivy and all of that is a cool touch -- but there was a pretentious element to it. The applause after every single race as the horses come back, the fact that burgoo is served everywhere but a lot of logical foods that are found at other tracks aren't and the ones that are were rubbish. A lot of young and well-dressed people who are only there for the social aspects.

This is why I would rate Oaklawn over Keeneland, followed by Del Mar. I've never been to Santa Anita.

People show up for the races at Oaklawn for the sake of the racing -- at Keeneland it's a little more about "being seen" and it is super crowded.

[Brilliance]

Originally Posted by Calzone Lord

The best part about Keeneland is the library.

A lot of nice looking and tastefully dressed college girls as well.

Not a fan of the food to the point where I would eat at the track kitchen instead of at the track.

I've never been compelled to visit Southern California or Arkansas.

I read on another site you were moving to Cali to gamble for a living back in 2006 is this true?

[scanman]

Originally Posted by Cardus

Curious as to why you have Santa Anita over Keeneland.

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.