Is The Track A Depressing Place?

randallscott35 · #1 04-08-2007, 11:05 AM

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.

Danzig · #2 04-08-2007, 11:07 AM

i don't find it depressing. what people do with their money doesn't concern me much...it's theirs.

i hate casinos tho. i went once, about ten years ago. too noisy, too many machines clanging, too mind-numbingly boring sitting their pushing buttons or pulling handles. yuk

Cajungator26 · #3 04-08-2007, 11:08 AM

I actually like it...

I like seeing the horses in the paddock more than anything, though.

Grits · #4 04-08-2007, 11:08 AM

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.

#5 04-08-2007, 11:10 AM

Yeah all of the tracks in North America are scummy and depressing...except for Saratoga of course. Mmmm doughnuts...

Scav · #6 04-08-2007, 11:10 AM

Some area's of the track are depressing, but Arlington is not, Hawthorne, is depressing. Arlington has that 'weekend' hangout place feeling going on and when it is nice out, it is alot of fun

There are places at Arlington that are scummy but I tend to not be around those

randallscott35 · #7 04-08-2007, 11:11 AM

Quote:

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.

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.

Danzig · #8 04-08-2007, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scav

Some area's of the track are depressing, but Arlington is not, Hawthorne, is depressing. Arlington has that 'weekend' hangout place feeling going on and when it is nice out, it is alot of fun

now that is true.

i can't wait til july and arlington....

Grits · #9 04-08-2007, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scav

Some area's of the track are depressing, but Arlington is not, Hawthorne, is depressing. Arlington has that 'weekend' hangout place feeling going on and when it is nice out, it is alot of fun

I have never been to Arlington Racecourse, and I want to go badly. Some time in the future, hopefully.

SentToStud · #10 04-08-2007, 11:13 AM

Quote:

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.

Grits · #11 04-08-2007, 11:14 AM

Quote:

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.

2MinsToPost · #12 04-08-2007, 11:14 AM

THE vacation destination

Beulah Park, my home turf

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

alysheba4 · #13 04-08-2007, 11:15 AM

santa anita on a good clear day is the most beautiful track in america so its not to bad.....but the hassle of going "live" has been tired for quite some time.

randallscott35 · #14 04-08-2007, 11:16 AM

Quote:

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.

Kasept · #15 04-08-2007, 11:16 AM

Quote:

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 · #16 04-08-2007, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alysheba4

santa anita on a good clear day is the most beautiful track in america so its not to bad.....but the hassle of going "live" has been tired for quite some time.

I separate beautiful from depressing....It can be both.

#17 04-08-2007, 11:18 AM

If you focus on the people, absolutely.

But when I go up to the second floor for two bucks, and sit next to my own little TV and can watch any race I want, or turn back to some other sporting event, it is a little piece of heaven.

The bathrooms are clean, I can get up and walk around and look at how the grass on the track is doing. The food is inexpensive and decent. I got my racing form in front of me with a nice cushioned chair... it really can make a nice day for me Randall. You can get out of the hustle and bustle of 3300 kids, always signing papers for 180 kids to go here and there, it is a quiet little relief for me. My wife still does not understand what it is like to have interplay with so many different people during a day. Its very taxing even though I love it (the teaching part).

Broke up a fight the other day and got blood all over myself. Had to write up this long winded report. Had to go by the nurse so she could give me a clean bill of health (the kids had opened big cracks on each others foreheads with blows and blood was everywhere). Very next thing I go into a parent conference about a kid who is taking his frustrations out on his parents divorce by doing poorly in school, whats your plan Mr. G...

so the track is such a gift for me.

randallscott35 · #18 04-08-2007, 11:19 AM

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.

alysheba4 · #19 04-08-2007, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by randallscott35

I separate beautiful from depressing....It can be both.

.....yeah, i know what you are saying. you go into the general adm. area at the anita and its pretty grim

brianwspencer · #20 04-08-2007, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scav

Some area's of the track are depressing, but Arlington is not, Hawthorne, is depressing. Arlington has that 'weekend' hangout place feeling going on and when it is nice out, it is alot of fun

There are places at Arlington that are scummy but I tend to not be around those

I could not agree more. The first floor at Hawthorne is one of the most depressing places I've ever been. It's awful, I can't stand it.

Arlington....hmmmm, I cannot think of one depressing thing about being at Arlington Park. Matter of fact, I also cannot think of one single place I would rather be at any moment than Arlington Park.