Best simulcast facilities ever...

PatCummings · #1 04-07-2009, 02:54 PM

In Omaha on business and stopped by Horsemen's Park today. They run three days a year on a five furlong bull ring but have a cracking simulcast facility.

Just an overwhelming number of TVs, personal work stations, high tables, low tables, long flat table space, restaurants, bars, cheap good food, drink specials, and friendly folks working there...I was blown away.

Oh...and clean as anything. Probably the cleanest on or off-track facility I've ever encountered.

Ever been? Any other preferences?

Indian Charlie · #2 04-07-2009, 03:04 PM

I prefer my office.

MaTH716 · #3 04-07-2009, 03:05 PM

Warren T's basement.

#4 04-07-2009, 03:13 PM

pg1985's back yard.

parsixfarms · #5 04-07-2009, 03:18 PM

I don't remember what they call it, but when I was at Lone Star for the Breeders' Cup, I thought their separate simulcasting facility was very nice.

Habersham000 · #6 04-07-2009, 03:23 PM

When I was at college I used to love to go to Prarie Meadows to simulcast...when there wasn't live racing the place would be pretty dead and I would go in the clubhouse resturant and grab a loveseat with my own 32 inch TV and a wagering machine about 5 feet away....it was quite and my favorite place to bet from

blackthroatedwind · #7 04-07-2009, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PatCummings

In Omaha on business and stopped by Horsemen's Park today. They run three days a year on a five furlong bull ring but have a cracking simulcast facility.

Just an overwhelming number of TVs, personal work stations, high tables, low tables, long flat table space, restaurants, bars, cheap good food, drink specials, and friendly folks working there...I was blown away.

Oh...and clean as anything. Probably the cleanest on or off-track facility I've ever encountered.

Ever been? Any other preferences?

I was there a couple of months ago and agree. It's a great place run by people who really care about the game.

TheSpyder · #8 04-07-2009, 03:29 PM

The place next to Arlington is very good. A bunch of us DT'ers went there after Sumwon's race...gosh, almost two years ago....time flys!

Travis Stone · #9 04-07-2009, 03:50 PM

I've been to most of the above except Horsemen's. Lone Star's facility is very nice, much like a sportsbook. Arlington's is nice, more restaurant-like than "simulcast facility"... at least on the first floor.

I'm glad to hear there are some nice facilities out there...

Left Bank · #10 04-07-2009, 04:53 PM

Churchill Downs!!!! You get a twin spires card and put some money on it,pick out a spot,and your wagering terminal/TV is right at your private desk.Just slide your card.You only have to get up to eat or piss.Eight huge big screen TV's are right in front of you also with all the big tracks.Awesome!!!

-BT- · #11 04-07-2009, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheSpyder

The place next to Arlington is very good. A bunch of us DT'ers went there after Sumwon's race...gosh, almost two years ago....time flys!

good call, thats the only time i was ever at an OTB was after her race, but it was a lot nicer then i expected. there are a few otb's in MD, but i've never been to any

-bt-

2MinsToPost · #12 04-07-2009, 05:56 PM

Daytona Beach Kennel Club was not bad at all when I was there in December of last year. New building, facilities etc.

brianwspencer · #13 04-07-2009, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Travis Stone

I've been to most of the above except Horsemen's. Lone Star's facility is very nice, much like a sportsbook. Arlington's is nice, more restaurant-like than "simulcast facility"... at least on the first floor.

I'm glad to hear there are some nice facilities out there...

Upstairs is a bit more like an OTB you'd expect, though I do like the restaurant downstairs every now and then.

Bogey · #14 04-07-2009, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by parsixfarms

I don't remember what they call it, but when I was at Lone Star for the Breeders' Cup, I thought their separate simulcasting facility was very nice.

I was there as well for the BC '04 and spent plenty of time there after the live racing - above avg food - felt like a race book in Vegas. Arlington Trackside runs a close 2nd.

#15 04-07-2009, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PatCummings

In Omaha on business and stopped by Horsemen's Park today. They run three days a year on a five furlong bull ring but have a cracking simulcast facility.

Just an overwhelming number of TVs, personal work stations, high tables, low tables, long flat table space, restaurants, bars, cheap good food, drink specials, and friendly folks working there...I was blown away.

Oh...and clean as anything. Probably the cleanest on or off-track facility I've ever encountered.

Ever been? Any other preferences?

People will probably not believe this but Retama
is a very nice little place. Its also clean, the food
is bad, but cheap. And you can find a nice table
with a comfy chair in front of numerous screens
and just spread out.

I love it. After seeing some of the places in California...
its a hell of a lot better. Hollywood just su cks.

sdjcom · #16 04-07-2009, 08:33 PM

very large simicast parlor big screens and tons of smaller tv's. pick-up voucher and bet @ your booth with personal teller unit. very nice surroundings reminds me a little of mohegan sun just a little smaller. outside of Charleston Wv about 8 miles on i-64 exit 47

sdjcom · #17 04-07-2009, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pgardn

People will probably not believe this but Retama
is a very nice little place. Its also clean, the food
is bad, but cheap. And you can find a nice table
with a comfy chair in front of numerous screens
and just spread out.

I love it. After seeing some of the places in California...
its a hell of a lot better. Hollywood just su cks.

retama is quaint and comfy but was crowded when i was there and had to watch getting shut-out not enough room for lines with tellers or self betting machines unless it's change

#18 04-07-2009, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sdjcom

retama is quaint and comfy but was crowded when i was there and had to watch getting shut-out not enough room for lines with tellers or self betting machines unless it's change

It was crowded?
Wow.

Was this a live racing night during a meet?

Suffolk Shippers · #19 04-07-2009, 09:13 PM

1) My office, all my amenities at my finger tips.

2) Clubhouse Raynham Taunton Greyhound Park...bring the DRF, slip the host $10 for a good table, order some Wachusett Blueberry Ales, order the sirloin burger.

banter · #20 04-07-2009, 10:44 PM

I agree with the observations about the high quality of the LSX simulcast facility. It's my favorite. And I also agree with the comments about Retama, which is very attractive throughout. Both tracks are preferable to Sam Houston, which is serviceable but nothing to rave about.

Fair Grounds (post-Katrina) has the worst simulcast facility, but it might have improved since I last visited in summer 2007. At that time, the facility had small first- and second-floor viewing areas, limited food choices (which might have been a blessing because, after getting a glimpse of the food being served, I lost my appetite), bare concrete floors, pitiful restrooms, inhospitable chairs and tiny tables, one bar, a few sadly blinking slot machines, and more ragged-looking men than you would see anywhere except perhaps in the vicinity of San Francisco's Union Square.

The simulcast areas at the other LA tracks, from Delta to Evangeline to Louisiana Downs, were far superior, with terrific viewing rooms, comfortable seating, a variety of restaurants, great bars, free parking and admission, plenty of wagering windows and betting machines, and first-rate restrooms.