The Preakness - travel tips and info

[JJP]

I've never been to Pimlico but from what I've heard, the neighborhood "ambiance" is along the lines of Hawthorne.......hard to imagine too many ladies going out for the Haw Gold Cup.

[Sightseek]

Originally Posted by JJP

I've never been to Pimlico but from what I've heard, the neighborhood "ambiance" is along the lines of Hawthorne.......hard to imagine too many ladies going out for the Haw Gold Cup.

My first venture to a track was to see Funny Cide at the MA Cap when I was in college in Boston....silly me.

[boswd]

Originally Posted by Sightseek

My first venture to a track was to see Funny Cide at the MA Cap when I was in college in Boston....silly me.

I was there that day. Hung out in Bud Tent at the Top of the Stretch. I have to tell you, Suffolk Downs may not have charm, but it is clean, seriously all jokes aside, it is clean the food is not bad and the prices are great. Not a bad way to knock a few back, bet on some nags.

[Gander]

They can totally do that. Out here Major League Baseball always makes sure they scheduled the Red Sox at home the same day as the Boston Marathon and it's always an 11:15 start.

I doubt very much the weekend of the Preakness will ever carry as much pull as one of the most respected marathons in the world. The Boston Marathon and the 11am Fenway game is a tried tradition that is a gurantee every year.
Also the Red Sox probably carry a little more weight than the Orioles as far as MLB scheduling goes. Just keeping it real

[boswd]

Originally Posted by Gander

They can totally do that. Out here Major League Baseball always makes sure they scheduled the Red Sox at home the same day as the Boston Marathon and it's always an 11:15 start.

I doubt very much the weekend of the Preakness will ever carry as much pull as one of the most respected marathons in the world. The Boston Marathon and the 11am Fenway game is a tried tradition that is a gurantee every year.
Also the Red Sox probably carry a little more weight than the Orioles as far as MLB scheduling goes. Just keeping it real

Eh, you never know It is the second Jewel of the Triple Crown a great way to get people from visting city's to come out and enjoy a day at ball park plus MLB loves Camden Yards and has always used it as it prototype when ever Bud Selig has tried to help convice other cities to build new ballparks to replace the old aging ones. They have a good tie in together.

[Sightseek]

Originally Posted by boswd

I was there that day. Hung out in Bud Tent at the Top of the Stretch. I have to tell you, Suffolk Downs may not have charm, but it is clean, seriously all jokes aside, it is clean the food is not bad and the prices are great. Not a bad way to knock a few back, bet on some nags.

It was one heck of a race that is for sure!

The one thing that was very convenient is you don't have to move an inch to be both next to the Paddock and the Finish Line. No food sampling, I was holding my ground. While in college I rode at a stable in the Revere area (most of the horses we had were from Suffolk and being re-schooled for hunters and jumpers...many of them seemed slower than the childrens ponies ) so I was pretty familiar with that train line at least.

Pity that the MA Cap hasn't continued since then. Some truly great horses ran there back in the day.

[boswd]

Originally Posted by Sightseek

It was one heck of a race that is for sure!

The one thing that was very convenient is you don't have to move an inch to be both next to the Paddock and the Finish Line. No food sampling, I was holding my ground. While in college I rode at a stable in the Revere area (most of the horses we had were from Suffolk and being re-schooled for hunters and jumpers...many of them seemed slower than the childrens ponies ) so I was pretty familiar with that train line at least.

Pity that the MA Cap hasn't continued since then. Some truly great horses ran there back in the day.

It's absolute shame. The politicians out here don't give a crap about the track or horse racing. What's even more of a shame is that if there was some investment into the place I think Suffolk Downs would thrive. It is an untapped market out here. Just look at the number of people from the greater Boston area that head to Saratoga every summer. It's amazing.

[Suffolk Shippers]

Originally Posted by boswd

I was there that day. Hung out in Bud Tent at the Top of the Stretch. I have to tell you, Suffolk Downs may not have charm, but it is clean, seriously all jokes aside, it is clean the food is not bad and the prices are great. Not a bad way to knock a few back, bet on some nags.

I can confirm this. Suffolk Downs has been decimated from external forces in this area, namely, the casinos in Connecticut and the slots at the dog track in RI. But, for true players or fans of horse racing, boswd is on point.

The people who run the joint have pride in the place and it's clear when you are there. The employees are friendly and genuine and take pride in where they work. Food's decent, the beer is cold and my favorite place to hang is up in the Turf Club. The smoked turkey club on wheat with fries is mouth watering, especially with a draft Miller Lite.

I actually think better days are ahead for Suffolk. Slots finally seem within reach with a Democrat taking office as Governor, who will need ways to fund his big plans he laid out in the election (1,000 new cops dont work for free).
If the track gets slots, everything will be in bloom again over there. I hope it happens, if only for the folks who have been there long and have kept the place afloat all these years. Plus it would give me added motivation for the smoked turkey club.

Sorry for hijacking the thread!

[boswd]

Originally Posted by Suffolk Shippers

I can confirm this. Suffolk Downs has been decimated from external forces in this area, namely, the casinos in Connecticut and the slots at the dog track in RI. But, for true players or fans of horse racing, boswd is on point.

The people who run the joint have pride in the place and it's clear when you are there. The employees are friendly and genuine and take pride in where they work. Food's decent, the beer is cold and my favorite place to hang is up in the Turf Club. The smoked turkey club on wheat with fries is mouth watering, especially with a draft Miller Lite.

I actually think better days are ahead for Suffolk. Slots finally seem within reach with a Democrat taking office as Governor, who will need ways to fund his big plans he laid out in the election (1,000 new cops dont work for free).
If the track gets slots, everything will be in bloom again over there. I hope it happens, if only for the folks who have been there long and have kept the place afloat all these years. Plus it would give me added motivation for the smoked turkey club.

Sorry for hijacking the thread!

And may I add that it is the best place for a hot dog in the city, bar none. I love Suffolk Downs and the simulcasting parlors are great.

[Suffolk Shippers]

Originally Posted by Sightseek

My first venture to a track was to see Funny Cide at the MA Cap when I was in college in Boston....silly me.

I'm upset that your first track trip was at Suffolk Downs on Mass Cap day. But I can be equally shamed that my first track trip was to Raynham Taunton Greyhound Park. I was there for the Funny Cide Mass Cap. Good day. I hit the pick 4.

Anyways, Baltimore is a good trip. I've been down for the last few Preakness days. Lets be honest first off. Pimlico is a dump. I only go because the race is what it is, it's the Preakness. I buy some apron seats and lounge there all day.

Federal Hill is fun, the Waterfront is a more family enjoyable atmosphere (I personally love the Cheesecake Factory in the mall). Are you going classy with the hotel? If not, there are lots of mid range chains (Econo Lodges, etc) a little south of town in Laurel (near the track). If you are heading in with your friends, it's cheap, got a few clean beds and some fast food close by when you're **** faced If you are taking a lady friend, hotels that weekend will cost you a few gambling coins, although the Holiday Inn at Camden Yards is reasonable and very comfy.

[SniperSB23]

Originally Posted by Suffolk Shippers

I'm upset that your first track trip was at Suffolk Downs on Mass Cap day. But I can be equally shamed that my first track trip was to Raynham Taunton Greyhound Park. I was there for the Funny Cide Mass Cap. Good day. I hit the pick 4.

Anyways, Baltimore is a good trip. I've been down for the last few Preakness days. Lets be honest first off. Pimlico is a dump. I only go because the race is what it is, it's the Preakness. I buy some apron seats and lounge there all day.

Federal Hill is fun, the Waterfront is a more family enjoyable atmosphere (I personally love the Cheesecake Factory in the mall). Are you going classy with the hotel? If not, there are lots of mid range chains (Econo Lodges, etc) a little south of town in Laurel (near the track). If you are heading in with your friends, it's cheap, got a few clean beds and some fast food close by when you're **** faced If you are taking a lady friend, hotels that weekend will cost you a few gambling coins, although the Holiday Inn at Camden Yards is reasonable and very comfy.

I sure hope so.

[Sightseek]

Originally Posted by Suffolk Shippers

I'm upset that your first track trip was at Suffolk Downs on Mass Cap day. But I can be equally shamed that my first track trip was to Raynham Taunton Greyhound Park. I was there for the Funny Cide Mass Cap. Good day. I hit the pick 4.

Anyways, Baltimore is a good trip. I've been down for the last few Preakness days. Lets be honest first off. Pimlico is a dump. I only go because the race is what it is, it's the Preakness. I buy some apron seats and lounge there all day.

Federal Hill is fun, the Waterfront is a more family enjoyable atmosphere (I personally love the Cheesecake Factory in the mall). Are you going classy with the hotel? If not, there are lots of mid range chains (Econo Lodges, etc) a little south of town in Laurel (near the track). If you are heading in with your friends, it's cheap, got a few clean beds and some fast food close by when you're **** faced If you are taking a lady friend, hotels that weekend will cost you a few gambling coins, although the Holiday Inn at Camden Yards is reasonable and very comfy.

I'm going to start writing in Pink so everyone realizes I'm a girl!
The Cheesecake Factory is the best! They just opened one in the Albany area.

[slotdirt]

I don't know if anybody mentioned this, but stay at the Renaissance Harborplace. That's where you want to be. Other than that, Baltimore does suck.

[cmorioles]

Originally Posted by slotdirt

I don't know if anybody mentioned this, but stay at the Renaissance Harborplace. That's where you want to be. Other than that, Baltimore does suck.

I wouldn't go that far. If you don't know where you are going or are some hick from the country, by all means, stay downtown. If you make sure to avoid certain areas, there are plenty of nice places (restaurants, clubs, hotels, etc.) away from the harbor that are also much easier on the wallet.

Now the Orioles...they suck.

[Suffolk Shippers]

Originally Posted by Sightseek

I'm going to start writing in Pink so everyone realizes I'm a girl!
The Cheesecake Factory is the best! They just opened one in the Albany area.

OH MAN! So embarrassed...using such crass language in front of the lady

I owe you a meal at Cheesecake Factory after that!

[Sightseek]

Originally Posted by Suffolk Shippers

OH MAN! So embarrassed...using such crass language in front of the lady

I owe you a meal at Cheesecake Factory after that!

LOL, although I don't personally curse, I would have had to be living in a bubble to not have heard worse. Thanks for the tips by the way.

Everyone has been a great help!

[Gander]

Camden Yards is really nice, the surrounding area is the pits. Couldnt get out of there and back to Georgetown fast enough! The food prices there dwarf any professional baseball stadium I have ever been to and I've been to most of them. The food is terrible to boot.

Never been to Pimlico, heard mixed things. Certainly not in my top 100 of places I want to visit though. Sounds like Aqueduct in nice weather with tons of drunk college kids, I think I'll pass.

Originally Posted by Gander

Camden Yards is really nice, the surrounding area is the pits. Couldnt get out of there and back to Georgetown fast enough! The food prices there dwarf any professional baseball stadium I have ever been to and I've been to most of them. The food is terrible to boot.

Never been to Pimlico, heard mixed things. Certainly not in my top 100 of places I want to visit though. Sounds like Aqueduct in nice weather with tons of drunk college kids, I think I'll pass.

Camden Yards is really nice. And I agree with you on the food. I tell people to go to a day game.

[SniperSB23]

How is Pikesville? Decent? Dumpy?