Best simulcast facilities ever...

[sdjcom]

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

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]

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]

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.

[cakes44]

I live in Omaha. Horsemen's Park takes a back seat to nobody.

[57rick]

Originally Posted by Suffolk Shippers

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.

Hey Suffolk,
I live in Hull and enjoy going to Plainridge. Have you been?

[Gate Dancer]

While working for a couple years in Lincolnshire, Ill it was nice to head to lunch at the Waukegan Trackside OTB (affiliated with Arlington Park). Good food and a comfy surrounding for your Daily Double plays. Very similar to Arlington Trackside which has been mentioned.

Totally agree with the comments regarding Horseman's Park. As salty and surly as some of the folks were at Ak-Sar-Ben (right up until it's demise) the people here treat you great. There is still a great core of horse-racing fans in Omaha.

Great alternatives for post racing dinners also!!

[onebadbeast]

Nothing Beats Surfside Race Place At Del Mar. Tons Of Betting Machines, Own Tv. Riff Raff, And I Am Known Like Norm.

[South Beach Luv]

Originally Posted by Gate Dancer

While working for a couple years in Lincolnshire, Ill it was nice to head to lunch at the Waukegan Trackside OTB (affiliated with Arlington Park). Good food and a comfy surrounding for your Daily Double plays. Very similar to Arlington Trackside which has been mentioned.

Totally agree with the comments regarding Horseman's Park. As salty and surly as some of the folks were at Ak-Sar-Ben (right up until it's demise) the people here treat you great. There is still a great core of horse-racing fans in Omaha.

Great alternatives for post racing dinners also!!

I work in Mettawa, a hop skip jump away from Lincolnshire, but I live South, my local OTB is the one in Oakbrook Terrace - nothing to write home about there.

[dellinger63]

Originally Posted by Gate Dancer

While working for a couple years in Lincolnshire, Ill it was nice to head to lunch at the Waukegan Trackside OTB (affiliated with Arlington Park). Good food and a comfy surrounding for your Daily Double plays. Very similar to Arlington Trackside which has been mentioned.

Totally agree with the comments regarding Horseman's Park. As salty and surly as some of the folks were at Ak-Sar-Ben (right up until it's demise) the people here treat you great. There is still a great core of horse-racing fans in Omaha.

Great alternatives for post racing dinners also!!

Waukegan has obviousy changed. My absolute favorite was a OTB within a dog track in Delavan WI. 50 cent beer fridays and a huge buffet Sundays unfortunately it closed several years ago but word is an offshoot of the Potawatami's is considering a casino/dog track/OTB which, would be AWESOME.

[Suffolk Shippers]

Originally Posted by 57rick

Hey Suffolk,
I live in Hull and enjoy going to Plainridge. Have you been?

Nice, I live down in Plymouth. I do like Plainridge. I don't wager the live product, but the simulcast room is very nice.

[Oaklawnfan]

The reasonably new Simulcast Facility at the Tulsa Fairgrounds was a pleasant suprise. Located next to Fair Meadows one half is smoking and the other is non-smoking. Plenty of carrels, long tables, high tables, full bar service (Oklahoma) and decent prices. I enjoyed the Rags to Riches Belmont there. Took a chance on going there, versus the tiny facility at Wil Rogers Downs and like I said, surpassed expectations.