Del Mar vs Saratoga - Page 2

#1 06-15-2006, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kasept

Under that criteria, "track next to a beach", Monmouth comes out ahead of Del Mar too...

I have been to Monmouth, Del Mar, and Saratoga and Monmouth is a distant third. I prefer Gulfstream to Monmouth. I get the feeling about 5% of the people on this chat have ever been to Del Mar. Saratoga racing is better but no honest person can say they had a better time in Saratoga than in San Diego. Saratoga is great in the mornings and has a couple of nice places to eat but that is about it. It is a town built around horse racing for 6 weeks in the summer. The 1 golf course is ok too but nothing compared to San Diego. I love horses more than any other animal, except maybe dogs, but you also have the best zoo in the world in San Diego.

#2 06-15-2006, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Davona Dale

My boyfriend will be in Saratoga for the summer. I'll go up on weekends and what is left of my vacation. I've never been there so I can't wait to go. My boyfriend rents a house with some other people he works with. It should be fun.

The first time there is great, especially the mornings. It gets old though after a few years of paying through your teeth for what you get. There are many better places to go if you want a bang for you buck and want to see good horse racing. For what Saratoga now costs you can travel over to Ascot and tour Europe. Saratoga is arguably the most overpriced vacation spot in America.

Kasept · #3 06-15-2006, 11:14 AM

Clearly, this is not getting settled in one direction or the other..

I prefer the East Coast generally on everything.. Ess Eff and Portland are the only places on the left coast I care for, and I'd venture to say that La Jolla, and weeks or weekends in and around San Diego, are no less costly than those around here (Toga and vicinity)...

And as for criticizing Monmouth Park, those that would can't possibly have been there.. It's an utter delight. And I'd take an afternoon of sun at Manasquan or LBI, a few races at Oceanport and dinner in Brielle or Sea Girt over similar in San Diego any time.

Gander · #4 06-15-2006, 11:27 AM

"Saratoga harness in the evening is better than going to a Padres game."

Thats very funny. Same with the ballet thing and ole' Mary Lou. Avoid this harness track like the plague, its a dump.

I live in Saratoga so I have no idea what it costs to rent a place there during track season. I'd have to imagine its very pricey. The restaurants are okay but please be advised many of them jack up their prices considerably during track season. Personally I think going to any bar and spending $5 on a beer and $7 for a watered down mixed drink is a waste of money, I dont do that on any vacation. I love this town though its much better during the off season when all the phony high rollers leave.

The racing is superb and if you know where you are going in the track it can be very comfortable, although I prefer not spending an entire day there, for me getting there around the 6th race is plenty.

Siros (bar right outside the track) is one big waste of time and money. It use to be okay about 10-12 years ago but has gone way down hill. It now costs between $6 and & $7 for a can of beer. And the crowds that follow these overhyped cover bands on the weekends there are awful. Your much better off tailgating or hitting a bar downtown.

As far as restaurants, "One Caroline" is superb and tops in my opinion. Everything there is very authentic and very hard to make at home. Prices arent cheap but not all that high scale either. If your looking for a nice steak without all the fancy touches, go to "Docs Steakhouse". Good bang for your buck. For about $25 you get yourself a pretty darn good steak with an all you can salad bar that includes delicious bread.

#5 06-15-2006, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Togacapper

No Kenny decided to show up after the races one day..I heard his piece on ESPN comparing Saratoga to Delmar.Sorry just had to speak my mind to him...You cant' knock our history our tradition our passion ,no comparision in the daily purses. Blows Delmar away, you want a track next to a beach....then you belong @ Delmar

No comparison in daily purses? What are you talking about? I believe Keeneland beats the both though but Del Mar is almost identical to Saratoga in average purses. Another guy I imagine that has never been to Del Mar. Kenny Mayne, who had been to tracks all over America, has repeatedly said Del Mar is the best track in America. Next you are going to tell me Saratoga harness in the evening is better than going to a Padres game.

Exceller · #6 06-14-2006, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Togacapper

Please don't get me started on this questions. Last year I had to set Kenny Mane straight on this matter in front of the whole crowd at Siros. Two different tracks two different settings. Except one has racing that sets itself apart from the rest of the world.
Just my opinion

I don't think you set Kenny Mayne straight. That guy loves Del Mar more than any other track. I still will take the Keeneland racing over Saratoga.

Togacapper · #7 06-14-2006, 05:29 PM

Well yeah Keenland in the fall is awsome.... and if I see Kenny again I'll say the same thing. Don't care what anybody says nothing like Saratoga.

Exceller · #8 06-14-2006, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Togacapper

Well yeah Keenland in the fall is awsome.... and if I see Kenny again I'll say the same thing. Don't care what anybody says nothing like Saratoga.

That Keeneland fall meet with the sales and the farm tours puts Saratoga and Del Mar to shame. Easily the best experience I have had when it comes to racing. Drive the 90 minutes to Louisville and you can get a nice derby museum tour too.

Pointg5 · #9 06-14-2006, 05:47 PM

Keeneland should not be mentioned in the same sentence as these two, since they installed the Poly Crap...

Exceller · #10 06-14-2006, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pointg5

Keeneland should not be mentioned in the same sentence as these two, since they installed the Poly Crap...

I thought the same until Kiaran said today he wants poly in NY. Looks like poly is going to be everywhere before you know it.

#11 06-14-2006, 10:05 PM

I've only been to DelMar once ...

... and found it very eery.

It's a beautiful place which attracts decent quality horses ... but the "fans" ... the "fans" ... they're so laid back that they're practically brain dead.

Pleasantly Perfect ran the day I was there ... and when he walked into, through, and out of the paddock ... you could hear a pin drop. Not a peep from anyone. No cheers, no boos, no nothing.

This would never happen at a New York track ... where the fans are much more into the game. Very enthusiastic, very boisterous, very ballsy.

Yeah ... some of the women looked great ... but where were the racing fans?

Togacapper · #12 06-14-2006, 10:08 PM

Good point

#13 06-14-2006, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bold Brooklynite

I've only been to DelMar once ...

... and found it very eery.

It's a beautiful place which attracts decent quality horses ... but the "fans" ... the "fans" ... they're so laid back that they're practically brain dead.

Pleasantly Perfect ran the day I was there ... and when he walked into, through, and out of the paddock ... you could hear a pin drop. Not a peep from anyone. No cheers, no boos, no nothing.

This would never happen at a New York track ... where the fans are much more into the game. Very enthusiastic, very boisterous, very ballsy.

Yeah ... some of the women looked great ... but where were the racing fans?

We don't have to listen to the Aqueduct story again do we?

Byebyemermaid · #14 06-16-2006, 07:42 AM

There are pros and cons to both places.As far as racing goes Del-Mar can't shine Saratogas shoes.As far as what to do lets not forget that San Diego is a major city and Saratoga is a small town in upstate NY,that if they didn't have racing would never get the recognition it does.With that said Lake George is a gorgeous area,if you want to take your kids places you can drive to Howe Caverns or even the baseball hall of fame.It goes without saying that the food and nightlife should be better in San Diego and the climate.I've never been to Del-Mar but my brother has and said it was a nice place.

randallscott35 · #15 06-14-2006, 10:11 PM

The racing in Saratoga is better, plain and simple.

I'm sure the nightlife in Cali is probably better, but I can tell you I've had some really really fun nights out in Saratoga. If you are younger and don't mind very late nights, its perfect.

blackthroatedwind · #16 06-14-2006, 10:12 PM

I'm not THAT young and the late nights are perfect for me.

Suffolk Shippers · #17 06-14-2006, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by randallscott35

The racing in Saratoga is better, plain and simple.

I'm sure the nightlife in Cali is probably better, but I can tell you I've had some really really fun nights out in Saratoga. If you are younger and don't mind very late nights, its perfect.

I agree, you dont even need to be out THAT LATE to have fun. I've gone with my girlfriend and my friends on seperate trips and we have always been able to find something to do. Booze gets expensive though

so make sure you hit a few in the afternoon.

I have never been to Del Mar, but would like to.

#18 06-15-2006, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bold Brooklynite

I've only been to DelMar once ...

... and found it very eery.

It's a beautiful place which attracts decent quality horses ... but the "fans" ... the "fans" ... they're so laid back that they're practically brain dead.

Pleasantly Perfect ran the day I was there ... and when he walked into, through, and out of the paddock ... you could hear a pin drop. Not a peep from anyone. No cheers, no boos, no nothing.

This would never happen at a New York track ... where the fans are much more into the game. Very enthusiastic, very boisterous, very ballsy.

Yeah ... some of the women looked great ... but where were the racing fans?

Let me guess, your from Brooklyn. You obviously have never been to Del Mar. There is plenty of noise. There just aren't idiots yelling at jockeys like in NY, although you rarely see that at Saratoga.

blackthroatedwind · #19 06-15-2006, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boldruler

Let me guess, your from Brooklyn. You obviously have never been to Del Mar. There is plenty of noise. There just aren't idiots yelling at jockeys like in NY, although you rarely see that at Saratoga.

Really, the crowd in NY at the track are " idiots yelling at jockeys "?

You have a very enlightened opinion. You must spend a great deal of time at the tracks in NY to have such an ill-informed opinion. Of course, the great irony here is that many of your posts contain the " but you've never been to Del Mar " caveat, while you feel free to share the same opinion of ignorance that so bothers you coming from anyone else.

Great, you like Del mar better than Saratoga. Then spend your time there. I hope it's all good. I like Saratoga. It is my cup of tea, so to speak. But liking one does not demean the other....whichever way you go.

And by the way.....it's Saratoga Equine Sports Center!

paisjpq · #20 06-15-2006, 11:25 AM

Never been to Del Mar but god I love saratoga--nothing better than getting off the northway and being on the backside of the track to watch horses train while you sit at a stop light or the horse crossing. Or running from the sales grounds to the track to catch one race instead of eating lunch the whole place is fantastic. As for nightlife--Siro's and the Parting Glass--nuff said.