I agree with the observations about the high quality of the LSX simulcast facility. It's my favorite. And I also agree with the comments about Retama, which is very attractive throughout. Both tracks are preferable to Sam Houston, which is serviceable but nothing to rave about.

Fair Grounds (post-Katrina) has the worst simulcast facility, but it might have improved since I last visited in summer 2007. At that time, the facility had small first- and second-floor viewing areas, limited food choices (which might have been a blessing because, after getting a glimpse of the food being served, I lost my appetite), bare concrete floors, pitiful restrooms, inhospitable chairs and tiny tables, one bar, a few sadly blinking slot machines, and more ragged-looking men than you would see anywhere except perhaps in the vicinity of San Francisco's Union Square.

The simulcast areas at the other LA tracks, from Delta to Evangeline to Louisiana Downs, were far superior, with terrific viewing rooms, comfortable seating, a variety of restaurants, great bars, free parking and admission, plenty of wagering windows and betting machines, and first-rate restrooms.

I live in Omaha. Horsemen's Park takes a back seat to nobody.

this is the first i have heard of someone talking good about that place. I went to school in Huntington so i shot up there all the time, used to sit upstairs the majority of the time but the smoke got unbearable so i confined myself to the 21 seat hyperbaric chamber that doesn't allow smoking down stairs. But i haven't been there in a couple years, things could have changed


-bt-

the Lehigh Valley Downs... decent place but they would serve me alcohol when I was 17!

Lone Star's simulcast facility is Very nice!

The worst ones are in Tucson, AZ.... located in random DIVE bars and you are only allowed to bet certain races, and not very many of them, its weird... the governments fault though.

Plainridge
 

Hey Suffolk,
I live in Hull and enjoy going to Plainridge. Have you been?

While working for a couple years in Lincolnshire, Ill it was nice to head to lunch at the Waukegan Trackside OTB (affiliated with Arlington Park). Good food and a comfy surrounding for your Daily Double plays. Very similar to Arlington Trackside which has been mentioned.

Totally agree with the comments regarding Horseman's Park. As salty and surly as some of the folks were at Ak-Sar-Ben (right up until it's demise) the people here treat you great. There is still a great core of horse-racing fans in Omaha.

Great alternatives for post racing dinners also!!

Nothing Beats Surfside Race Place At Del Mar. Tons Of Betting Machines, Own Tv. Riff Raff, And I Am Known Like Norm.

You have something against Famous Sam's?

Just kidding. The OTB's in Tucson are horrible, with the exception of Touchdown's (only slightly above horrible) and Jeff's Pub (actually not that bad, but they did just complete a renovation of the place).

Worst part is that you can't make your office an OTB because of the lack of ADW in Arizona (will never let that one go).

Only 255 days left...

I used to go to an OTB in Green Valley at the bowling alley...at least they called it an OTB....holy cow

Nice, I live down in Plymouth. I do like Plainridge. I don't wager the live product, but the simulcast room is very nice.

The reasonably new Simulcast Facility at the Tulsa Fairgrounds was a pleasant suprise. Located next to Fair Meadows one half is smoking and the other is non-smoking. Plenty of carrels, long tables, high tables, full bar service (Oklahoma) and decent prices. I enjoyed the Rags to Riches Belmont there. Took a chance on going there, versus the tiny facility at Wil Rogers Downs and like I said, surpassed expectations.

I work in Mettawa, a hop skip jump away from Lincolnshire, but I live South, my local OTB is the one in Oakbrook Terrace - nothing to write home about there.

My personal favorite OTB. Just wish they had a few more chairs as it gets quite crowded on a busy Saturday. Pretty decent with the player rewards, considering most casinos could give a sh1t about horseplayers.

Totally agree about Horseman's Park. We usually do Derby Day there. Last year went to one of the casinos for Derby Day and I was really disappointed. (The usual complaints: not enough tables or tv's or betting windows.) Plus as mentioned the food is actually good at Horseman's.

Mohegan Sun is a great spot for simulcasting. Like you said though, can get tight in there on a busy day. I've played a few Hollywood Fri night cards there and it's pretty relaxing all in all with the free booze.

I Laughed.

I really like the Borgata in AC. Clean, lots of big screens, premium spirits & wines, pretty waitresses :)
Unfortunately, I only get down there on average twice a year.

Zaf, I agree. Borgata is great. Nice atmosphere. I also only get there a couple of times a year though.

Waukegan has obviousy changed. My absolute favorite was a OTB within a dog track in Delavan WI. 50 cent beer fridays and a huge buffet Sundays unfortunately it closed several years ago but word is an offshoot of the Potawatami's is considering a casino/dog track/OTB which, would be AWESOME.

if i don't go to Aqueduct i'll be there this weekend for the blue grass/ark derby.

YES- good call, one of the only racebooks that will give you top shelf with the tickets.