Of these 4 tracks I have never visited...
 

... 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 :).

Jesus...

I have only not been to Oaklawn but I would probably say Keeneland as a horse racing fan and Del Mar as a people fan. Santa Anita at the BC was awesome the two years I did it but not sure how it is non BC.

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

There are no losers in this group and I've been to all except Del Mar, but if I had to prioritze it would go like this:

1) Keeneland---started the day in the track kitchen, then watching workouts. Took a brief ride around the surrounding farms before the races started and then watched Casablanca Smile take the Dowager. Overall fantastic experience. Pure horse country at its' finest.

2) Oaklawn Park---entire town revolves around the track. Saw the Arkansas Derby here many years ago. Super crowds and hospitality. Only negative is no grass racing.

3) Del Mar---on my list to get to. Looks gorgeous on TV and the crowd and climate just can't be overated.

4) Santa Anita---going to the BC this year but have been here a couple of times for regular racing. Nice place and scenery but would have to be 4th of this group in my opinion.

You can't lose with any choice you make............:tro:

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.

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.

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.

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

Paul

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

I don't get the Keeneland hype... at all. Never have. It's beautiful and well done, but you better be there on a halfway warm, partly sunny day because if it's windy, dark, cold and rainy, it's miserable.

Of the 4 offered, Santa Anita to me is by far the most glorious with one of the most spectacular backdrop in sports. I'd put Keeneland behind it and Oaklawn ahead of Del Mar..

Been to Keeneland, Santa Anita and Delmar and never had the desire to go to Oaklawn. Keeneland seemed a bit "stuffy' to me and I agree with Steve, SA is striking when the smog does not engulf the mountains. Del Mar is Del Mar ...pretty women, nice view of the ocean while the races are running .....and pretty women. So may order is......Santa Anita
Del mar
Keeneland
Oaklawn

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

Really? I have been to neither, but I can't recall anyone of your stature:rolleyes: saying that.

Go to any track where it is windy, dark, cold, and rainy...and you're lucky to get half the people Keeneland still draws.

And this is so normally nerdy for you,Cardvark.

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.

Well, there was no need for anything euphuistic. I find the place quaint and handsome but regularly uncomfortable by virtue of crowd or weather.