Monmouth to The Spa trip.

[MaTH716]

Originally Posted by GoIrish

Really? Wow, you must have been cooking. Mapquest has Red Bank to Saratoga at 3 hr 55 min. I've got a 2 year old, so the plan is to drive 2-2.5 hrs Saturday evening. Have a relaxing night and morning with breakfast (if that's possible with a 2 year old) and hit the Spa around 11-12 on Sunday. Better to have the little guy fresh and happy, than beat and pissed from 4 hours in the car. I'm thinking maybe Kingston area or a bit south for a stop.

I would think that mapquest is based on doing 55 mph. If you kid naps, your best bet would be to leave during nap time. Your kid would sleep the majority of the trip and would be ready to go when you hit Saratoga.
The other thing is, I would warn you against bring your kid to the track 2 hours before the races actually start. I know my son was 6 last year and we went early to watch Andy do the show and by 2:30ish he was done. I'm not sure for how long you are going, but be strategic with your time especially with the kids. Looking back, I should have left him with my wife at the hotel and then just have them meet me at the track later.

[GoIrish]

Good advice. As of right now, the little man loves watching the horses and we spend 3-4 hours at Monmouth no problem. I should time our arrival close to post time however. Good call. Mommy and AJ might be making an early exit if it's raining or hot though, and daddy will be on foot, hitchhiking or taking a cab back to the hotel.

[jenroypa]

Irish-

Good Luck . Let me know how you make out as I am taking my 11 yo son ( w/ autism) on Travers week. He loves horses and wants to go to Woodbine. So we are doing the tour of Saratoga/Woodbine. We are 70 miles south of you .

Anyone ever do the breakfast tour/program with their kids?

[MaTH716]

Originally Posted by jenroypa

Irish-

Good Luck . Let me know how you make out as I am taking my 11 yo son ( w/ autism) on Travers week. He loves horses and wants to go to Woodbine. So we are doing the tour. We are 70 miles south of you .

Anyone ever do the breakfast tour/program with their kids?

I did the morning patrol at Monmouth and it was pretty cool.

http://www.derbytrail.com/forums/showthread.php?t=31353

[jenroypa]

Thanks. I remember you posting that last year. Hope to go to the one at Monmouth once he completes his summer camp..

[Antitrust32]

Originally Posted by GoIrish

Good advice. As of right now, the little man loves watching the horses and we spend 3-4 hours at Monmouth no problem. I should time our arrival close to post time however. Good call. Mommy and AJ might be making an early exit if it's raining or hot though, and daddy will be on foot, hitchhiking or taking a cab back to the hotel.

if you can get him to nap during the ride I would suggest just going right to Saratoga.. the nightlife & area there in the evening is just as much of an experience as the racing. You guys can explore downtown.