Best simulcast facilities ever...
 

In Omaha on business and stopped by Horsemen's Park today. They run three days a year on a five furlong bull ring but have a cracking simulcast facility.

Just an overwhelming number of TVs, personal work stations, high tables, low tables, long flat table space, restaurants, bars, cheap good food, drink specials, and friendly folks working there...I was blown away.

Oh...and clean as anything. Probably the cleanest on or off-track facility I've ever encountered.

Ever been? Any other preferences?

I prefer my office.

Warren T's basement.

pg1985's back yard.

I don't remember what they call it, but when I was at Lone Star for the Breeders' Cup, I thought their separate simulcasting facility was very nice.

When I was at college I used to love to go to Prarie Meadows to simulcast...when there wasn't live racing the place would be pretty dead and I would go in the clubhouse resturant and grab a loveseat with my own 32 inch TV and a wagering machine about 5 feet away....it was quite and my favorite place to bet from

I was there a couple of months ago and agree. It's a great place run by people who really care about the game.

The place next to Arlington is very good. A bunch of us DT'ers went there after Sumwon's race...gosh, almost two years ago....time flys!

I've been to most of the above except Horsemen's. Lone Star's facility is very nice, much like a sportsbook. Arlington's is nice, more restaurant-like than "simulcast facility"... at least on the first floor.

I'm glad to hear there are some nice facilities out there...

Churchill Downs!!!! You get a twin spires card and put some money on it,pick out a spot,and your wagering terminal/TV is right at your private desk.Just slide your card.You only have to get up to eat or piss.Eight huge big screen TV's are right in front of you also with all the big tracks.Awesome!!!

good call, thats the only time i was ever at an OTB was after her race, but it was a lot nicer then i expected. there are a few otb's in MD, but i've never been to any

-bt-

Daytona Beach Kennel Club was not bad at all when I was there in December of last year. New building, facilities etc.

Upstairs is a bit more like an OTB you'd expect, though I do like the restaurant downstairs every now and then.

I was there as well for the BC '04 and spent plenty of time there after the live racing - above avg food - felt like a race book in Vegas. Arlington Trackside runs a close 2nd.

People will probably not believe this but Retama
is a very nice little place. Its also clean, the food
is bad, but cheap. And you can find a nice table
with a comfy chair in front of numerous screens
and just spread out.

I love it. After seeing some of the places in California...
its a hell of a lot better. Hollywood just su cks.

Tri-state greyhound park
 

very large simicast parlor big screens and tons of smaller tv's. pick-up voucher and bet @ your booth with personal teller unit. very nice surroundings reminds me a little of mohegan sun just a little smaller. outside of Charleston Wv about 8 miles on i-64 exit 47

retama is quaint and comfy but was crowded when i was there and had to watch getting shut-out not enough room for lines with tellers or self betting machines unless it's change

It was crowded?
Wow.

Was this a live racing night during a meet?

1) My office, all my amenities at my finger tips.

2) Clubhouse Raynham Taunton Greyhound Park...bring the DRF, slip the host $10 for a good table, order some Wachusett Blueberry Ales, order the sirloin burger.

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.