Hah, I forgot about that. For a couple of years, Thoroughbred Digest was the ONLY program I watched on TV religiously. Chris Lincoln did an excellent job on that show.

--Dunbar

I honestly don't think too highly of the place. The track is a afterthought...The only reason the track is there is the casino needed it to open. I have spoken with Doug regarding the track and my feelings in the past, actually there is a great piece in Erie's paper that Doug wrote discussing the tracks concerns. At least this year the field size is up, last year they averaged 6.3, it's up to 7.9 so far this year.
It is very plain jane, cosmetically it looks like they took the cheapest road possible when the opportunity presented itself.
The gift shop is a banquet table, the infield reminds me of the neighboring dump, there still isn't enough stalls (500) and they received something like 2500 applications, and the takeout is terrible. I believe Doug said it ranked 62 out 65 tracks...oh yeah and the new track anouncer is the same guy that does the pics before hand and I'm guessing he didn't have any experience.
It seems to be getting better...it just may take some time

There are so many things about the sport that drew me in - but it's the way that my heart races when they come thundering down the stretch that keeps me hooked.

Love the horses. We used to buy TB's off the track for the hunter-jumper barn. Athletes in every sense of the word. Bred to be.

i always watched that show, and then when randy moss had his on, i'd set it to record to watch later in the day. years ago they had full card replays in md the day after the races had been run, i used to watch that every morning.

Roosevelt on Saturday nights, summers at Saratoga, and even the dreary winter days at Aqueduct. Dad took me to every track in NJ/NY area, and taught us how to play, enjoy, and appreciate the entire game. Some colorful words along the way. Anyone remember the sandwich place across from Roosevelt Raceway? always packed on race nights but fantastic

Funny. I was just telling a guy at work today when we would be driving home from Ak-sar-ben (before the days of simulcasting - after a family outing) how we would stop at Buger King and the winner (if there was one of us lucky enough to have won) would buy dinner for everyone on the drive home. What a fun memory after both of my parents have passed on.

Anyway, it is funny how similar my story is to so many already posted. Horse racing was a family tradition. We would travel as a family to the Nebraska track which was the current stop for live racing. Had lots of time in the car to talk horses or whatever. I placed my first bet at age 12. The guy who took my (and my younger brother's) bets would one day be the mutual manager at one of the tracks and we would often laugh about 12 year olds betting. ("Your money was as good as anyone else's; and your picks were better")

I spent many a day at Aksarben during its prime; getting a taste of big-time racing, the sights, the smells, the people, the action.....all of it drawing me in and making me love the game. Great horses like the guy mentioned from the Canterbury track (Who Doctor Who, etc) plus the Kemling horses (Amadevil, Roman Zipper, Prom Crasher) and great riders...John Lively, Kenny Jones, the Pettingers, even Hall of Famers started here...apprentices Garret Gomez and Mike Smith.

Also the charm and intimacy of the smaller bull rings scattered throughout the state. Getting to high-five Mike (Ziggy) Ziegler as he dismounted Betwiched after a winning ride that helped me cash a $100 exacta bet. ("I knew I had it the whole way," he said.)

Why this game? As stated by many, I like the intellectual part of the game. Reading the Racing Form is like reading a mystery novel. A novel you get to place bets on and then see it played out live in front of your very eyes. How can slot machines stimulate the imagination like this game? I wish the charm of horse racing could re-capture the masses and insure a brighter future for the sport. In reality, I think we all know the mindless pushing of buttons and watching reels race around in cirles will probably win out.

Living in the middle of IL there isn't much but as a child I grew up going to Quad City Downs with my Grandparents. Not long after that our shoer had a horse run at QH Congress - Slam Bang Sam - and we began our ownership of QH's. Eventually my Grandmother became interested in the TB's and the first time we went to see the TB's was the 1988 BC. I'll never forget the way Alysheba walked into the paddock that day. We've been a racing family every since(haven't missed a BC or KY Derby since). It's been a great way for the family to stay in touch and makes for some GREAT family vacations! My Uncle is now involved with West Point and I am hoping to invest later this year in my first TB.

My story is unique in that no one in my family as any interest in horses at all. While my father was a gambler, he never played anything outside of a casino on a regular basis. We would occasionally gamble on jai lai or at the dog track but never horses. In college, my apartment was right down the street from a dog track and while dogs entertained me, horses captured my passion. Nothing beats capping a race and having the winner regardless of what it pays. Something that drives me to continue to play. There is no better feeling then seeing your horse turn for home and know hes the winner. The majesty of a thoroughbred is unrivaled

I know its not 100% but a majority of the fans on this board, true horse racing fans, were created when they were young. If this isn't a wake up to all of us who are trying to grow the sport. Real racing fans, long time bettors etc are generally created in their youth. So lets take our kids to the track. We won't create new fans sitting at home and betting on our computers, even though i know the convenience of that usually outweighs going to the races.

Just like many on here, my dad took me when i was little (longacares) and hearing Gary Henson and watching the horses, i was hooked.

This thread, Derby Trail and Steve were talked about this morning by one of the old guys on the Capital OTB channel this morning. I think they actually did a segment where people called in saying why they loved the game.