Is The Track A Depressing Place?

[Grits]

Originally Posted by randallscott35

As a track, I love Belmont. Love betting it. But when it is mostly empty which is all the time, it has an empty football stadium feeling to it.

As for the money aspect, sure I'm not shedding a tear for them---but I guess sometimes I can sense how empty they are. They aren't excited as they enter, and they aren't excited when they leave.

I think you're right, and I think many people WAGER money that they CANNOT afford to lose. It's like a dog chasing his tail.

[SCUDSBROTHER]

Originally Posted by Grits

I think you're right, and I think many people WAGER money that they CANNOT afford to lose. It's like a dog chasing his tail.

At home,people are much less apt to bet beyond their means.There are other things to do at home.You can change the focus much more easily.You can play ,or watch sports.Go out to eat with friends or family etc. I like the track,and go sometimes.It is different than betting from home though...2 different animals.

[Mortimer]

Originally Posted by Grits

Going to Keeneland, one doesn't usually feel that way. And sure, the majority of people lose at the tracks everyday. But those people are not your concern. You did not place their wagers with your money.

There are tracks one can still go to and enjoy. I love Belmont as well as Keeneland and Saratoga.

Ever been to Les Bois?

[paisjpq]

Originally Posted by mortimerdexterfoxworthy

Ever been to Les Bois?

in Idaho?

[Mortimer]

Originally Posted by paisjpq

in Idaho?

Why...yes....I believe it is.





Have ya been there??

[paisjpq]

Originally Posted by mortimerdexterfoxworthy

Why...yes....I believe it is.





Have ya been there??

I have not...have you?

[whodey17]

The track is awesome. I focus on 3 things at the track 1) the drf 2) the tv monitor where my race is running and 3) the concession stand. At the end of the day I couldnt even tell you if there was a male or female was sitting next to me.

[SentToStud]

Originally Posted by randallscott35

I have to say yes.

With the exception of Saratoga which is more of a vacation feeling than a racetrack feel. But other than that, I dread going to the racetrack. I would much rather place my bets at home. When I go, I see sad faces who will be losing today. Who bring their paycheck and curse the T.V. as they bet on any simulcast track they can get down on.

I feel the same way about casinos. I hate them. So depressing. You can feel the sorrow in the room. It isn't exciting at all. It's empty....I guess we are a long way from the 50's when a weekday card in NY could draw forty thousand people.

There are other tracks other than Saratoga that are far from depressing. And Saratoga is far from a great time when the weather's off. Try Oaklawn on a nice weather day. Arlington on any Friday in the summer. DelMar any day. Gulfstream any weekend day.

[2MinsToPost]

THE vacation destination

Beulah Park, my home turf

If you love old green paint, you'll love Beulah Park!

[Hickory Hill Hoff]

Originally Posted by 2MinsToPost

THE vacation destination

Beulah Park, my home turf

If you love old green paint, you'll love Beulah Park!

Especially the "twins"!

[ALostTexan]

Originally Posted by 2MinsToPost

THE vacation destination

Beulah Park, my home turf

If you love old green paint, you'll love Beulah Park!

Oh, hell, come on. Scioto is a MUCH classier place...

ALostTexan

[Pointg5]

Turfway is about as depressing as it gets, I call it the Dungeon.

I like to go to River Downs, it's not a bad place to go for simulcasting.

[randallscott35]

Originally Posted by SentToStud

There are other tracks other than Saratoga that are far from depressing. And Saratoga is far from a great time when the weather's off. Try Oaklawn on a nice weather day. Arlington on any Friday in the summer. DelMar any day. Gulfstream any weekend day.

That's why I'm asking, I haven't been to many of these tracks....Just Saratoga, Belmont, Aqueduct, Monmouth, Meadowlands, and Colonial....But its hard to believe that if I travel around the U.S. I'd have that much of a different experience.

[jman5581]

Originally Posted by SentToStud

There are other tracks other than Saratoga that are far from depressing. And Saratoga is far from a great time when the weather's off. Try Oaklawn on a nice weather day. Arlington on any Friday in the summer. DelMar any day. Gulfstream any weekend day.

I will be trying Oaklawn on what are hopefully nice days on Fri and Sat.... I do not plan on being depressed as I am driving about 6 hrs to get there

[Kasept]

Originally Posted by randallscott35

I have to say yes.

With the exception of Saratoga which is more of a vacation feeling than a racetrack feel. But other than that, I dread going to the racetrack. I would much rather place my bets at home. When I go, I see sad faces who will be losing today. Who bring their paycheck and curse the T.V. as they bet on any simulcast track they can get down on..

I say no.

I guess you are living in a Twilight Zone-esque alternate universe..

I see the warmest, funniest, most animated characters imaginable, joking and arguing with their racetrack or lifelong friends as they enjoy a routine they've repeated for years or are in the process of creating.

You aren't at the track on weekdays anyway.. You're being morose.. Have a Peep...

[randallscott35]

LOL Steve, I will have 2 peeps.

Characters, yes and they are interesting...I've been to track on weekdays many times, though not lately so I know what that's like as well.

[deltagulf]

Originally Posted by Kasept

I say no.

I guess you are living in a Twilight Zone-esque alternate universe..

I see the warmest, funniest, most animated characters imaginable, joking and arguing with their racetrack or lifelong friends as they enjoy a routine they've repeated for years or are in the process of creating.

You aren't at the track on weekdays anyway.. You're being morose.. Have a Peep...

i agree i love going to the track live. to see the people and horses. my job has me traveling all over the usa so every change i get to go to a track i go. wouldn't want it any other way. i guess that is why i also like my job.

[fpsoxfan]

I haven't been to enough tracks to comment for sure on your opinion. I've been to Saratoga probably about 100 times and never really experienced that. However some friends and I went to Belmont for the Stakes in 2002. I was having a great day, so I was able to make my wagers at a 50 dollar window. I had a guy come up to me and try to sell me his watch. Also I had a couple following me offereing to cash in a huge triple ticket if I had won. They were listening to me place my wagers at the window. It was more than a little creepy. I think I'll stick to Saratoga.

[philcski]

Aqueduct really sucks these days. It's a mess, the simulcasting screens are poorly laid out (had to walk all over just to find one small TV with the Illinois Derby on Saturday then another with the Apple Blossom), and the degenerates seem to be at an all-time high. Only been to three live days at the Big A this meet- I won't be back until Belmont opens.

[MisterB]

Time to find a better life. If this game in the flesh is that bad, you need a new outlet.

Drug users are depressing. Sad too.