What FL track is better?

[Sightseek]

I've heard some mixed reviews on Gulfstream and some positive things on Tampa Bay. If you compared FL tracks, what track would you say is best to visit during February or March considering the following:

- ease of getting around
- expense
- location for nightlife, restaurants etc.
- ambience, crowd, safety etc.

[Left Bank]

My vote is Tampa Bay downs,all the way!

[Travis Stone]

I've been to both... the racing at Gulfstream is obviously better, but Tampa is a really cool spot. The grandstand is open air with a beautiful track and a fun, small-track feel. I sat in the boxes on Lexington day two years ago with 75 degree weather, a breeze and big fields with great racing.

[Monarchos1]

Another vote here for Tampa. There's no contest when comparing the on-track experience. Gulfstream is easily the most fan-unfriendly track I've been to. No sight lines, overpriced concessions, grumpy employees and angry mutuel clerks. You can hardly find a place at GP to actually see the races live, so you're better off to enjoy a nice day at TBD and watch simulcasts of the GP races, which is what you'd be doing at GP anyway.

[GPK]

Once you have spent a day at Tampa Bay Downs in the BigsMC luxury box suite, right on the finish line, there is nothing quite comparable in all of racing...much less in the State of Florida

[Antitrust32]

$1 beers @ Gulfstream and they have Franks and grey goose.

ease of getting around & expense = Tampa Bay

nightlife, resteraunts - GP

quality of racing - GP

ambience, crowd, safety - equal.. besides FL Derby day where it is way too crowded in the small space.

They are both good tracks in their own way. Old Gulfstream would have dominated this discussion though.

[Bigsmc]

Originally Posted by GPK

Once you have spent a day at Tampa Bay Downs in the BigsMC luxury box suite, right on the finish line, there is nothing quite comparable in all of racing...much less in the State of Florida

[IrishS]

Originally Posted by Monarchos1

Another vote here for Tampa. There's no contest when comparing the on-track experience. Gulfstream is easily the most fan-unfriendly track I've been to. No sight lines, overpriced concessions, grumpy employees and angry mutuel clerks. You can hardly find a place at GP to actually see the races live, so you're better off to enjoy a nice day at TBD and watch simulcasts of the GP races, which is what you'd be doing at GP anyway.

I need help here. I want to introduce my sister and niece to racing. My sister lives just a few miles from Gulfstream, so we will meet there on Florida Derby weekend. I am from CA and niece a vet from Maryland. I want the experience perfecd so they will continue going to the races. I have never been to Gulfstream. I hear of the problems, but what is the best way to make it a perfect experience in spite of that. Best seats, ease to the paddock--that is important--workouts? I want the whole experience for them, but I can't check and plan it out first. Help for the perfect weekend and hopefully new fans.

[gales0678]

Originally Posted by IrishS

I need help here. I want to introduce my sister and niece to racing. My sister lives just a few miles from Gulfstream, so we will meet there on Florida Derby weekend. I am from CA and niece a vet from Maryland. I want the experience perfecd so they will continue going to the races. I have never been to Gulfstream. I hear of the problems, but what is the best way to make it a perfect experience in spite of that. Best seats, ease to the paddock--that is important--workouts? I want the whole experience for them, but I can't check and plan it out first. Help for the perfect weekend and hopefully new fans.

it's a shame that calder won't be open , i'm sure that any 1st time visit to any track in america on a stakes day won't be a killer for someone new. my guess is they will probably like it

if you go on FL derby day expect big crowds at a track that was not really built for big crowds , calder can accomadate much bigger crowds

[Antitrust32]

Originally Posted by IrishS

I need help here. I want to introduce my sister and niece to racing. My sister lives just a few miles from Gulfstream, so we will meet there on Florida Derby weekend. I am from CA and niece a vet from Maryland. I want the experience perfecd so they will continue going to the races. I have never been to Gulfstream. I hear of the problems, but what is the best way to make it a perfect experience in spite of that. Best seats, ease to the paddock--that is important--workouts? I want the whole experience for them, but I can't check and plan it out first. Help for the perfect weekend and hopefully new fans.

$1 drafts.

Hang out in the "beach" area and picnic tables. Explore the whole place... 2nd and 3rd floors are nice.. there is a VERY expensive asian resteraunt that is pretty good and a good place to go if you are too drunk to drive home. Poker rooms and slots also. You can get a picnic table and switch between there and the paddock seats. There is a buffet on the 2nd floor if you want to do that.

The easiest way to create a new fan for racing is to have them win a bet or two. Dont tell them who to bet though, let them pick a name or color and they will probably win with beginners luck. Explain what the odds mean and how the payouts work and the different kind of bets, but they should stick to WPS bets the first time... (then the horse can run 3rd and they can still get something back).

Its a good time, FL Derby day is PACKED though and it will be very tough to find seats I think..

[gales0678]

Originally Posted by Sightseek

I've heard some mixed reviews on Gulfstream and some positive things on Tampa Bay. If you compared FL tracks, what track would you say is best to visit during February or March considering the following:

- ease of getting around
- expense
- location for nightlife, restaurants etc.
- ambience, crowd, safety etc.

come in dec and go to Calder the best of the 3