Saratoga in August
 

I am planning a trip tp Saratoga August the 16th and I will be taking my grand children any suggestions? It's been 30 years since I have been there. I was wondering what time I should get there it is a Saturday is there a picnic area and where do I find Steve and his bar-b-que?

I would say if you're Ok with just bring a blanket or folding chairs and sitting in the back yard you could get there between 11 and 12. We used to go and just get a spot for folding chairs by the paddock.

As far as finding the Carolina BBQ it is almost directly across from the Carousel restaurant in the grandstand. Just walk along the walk way behind the grandstand and you will not be able to miss it.

coolers
 

can you bring a cooler?

Yeah, you can. We killed quite a few cans of the domestic, light and cold variety. :D

Saratoga - "Where PBR cans go to die."

If you are there for more than a day, I definitely suggest breakfast at track. Have the place to yourself and our kids (don't know how old grand kids are) tend to enjoy it as much or more than races. Pack coffee and donuts. Good stuff.

The last 20 years of my life...

spin those cans biotch

That is Alabama Day. If you are looking to secure a picnic table, you will need to be there when the gates open, which I believe is about 7 AM. Almost all are "reserved" by 7:15 AM.

I have a better idea - how about buying a couple of grandstand tickets and let the kids actually see the races run by in front of them!!!!

Why in the world anyone wants to sit in dirt, dust and watch a race on a TV monitor you can barely see is beyond me.......

No need to watch them on the TV, just walk up to the track when the head out for the post parade and you usually can get a spot pretty close to the rail.

I think unless you are willing to go to the bathroom frequently you should refrain from Carolina BBQ..It really isn't something a novice should experiment with..

Cash in a CD and get seats

NO CLUE arent there parks for that

:mad:

Obie,

Remind me when it gets closer and I'll save a picnic table for you and the grandkids.

The reason you WANT A PICNIC TABLE, is because the grandkids, if young, will be miserable sitting in the grandstand all day with little room to play or move about. From the backyard, you can gravitate to the track to see the races physically just fine.

As was noted, the Carolina Barbecue 'Big House' is across from the Carousel Teletheater at the back of the grandstand side of the building. To the left on the pathway if you come into the track where you see the Jockey's Silk Room.

Look forward to seeing you here in August. I just spoke to PJ Campo at the Saratoga Kickoff Luncheon and the Alabama is shaping up great. May be as good a race as we have all meet if all the 3yo fillies get there healthy.

Steve,

Do you know about when first condition book is due out?

At 6'3", I gravitated from the backyard to see the races last year and all I typically saw was the top of some ears going by. Maybe I was standing in the wrong spot but with a flat apron, I couldn't see squat on the track. Now, had I been able to wedge my way through the crowd and gained a spot on the rail - and never moved again - maybe I would have had a better view.

On Sunday, the second day I was there, I bought some inexpensive grandstand seats and wandered about the place in between races. Then come race time, I returned to my seat and had a grand view. $8 per, if I remember correctly. Cost me more than that to scrape all the dust off of me from Saturday's foray in the back "woods" picnic area.

The grandkids are the difference here for Obie...

If you still can't find the BBQ look for a very large man eating pie. He'll point the way.