What FL track is better?

[Antitrust32]

Originally Posted by CrossfireHurricane

Ok, but based on her criteria Gulfstream is still much better.

Gulfstream is much easier to get around. You can actually walk there from hotels. Tampa Downs in not even in Tampa and there is nothing right there except a driving range.

Gulfstream is actually cheaper if you factor in hotels. It is much cheaper to stay in Hallandale Beach than in Tampa. Tampa is very expensive in the winter.

Nightlife is all Gulfstream. It has it's own nightlife with a casino or you have South Beach.

Ambience is all Gulfstream too. Tampa is a nice small track feel but Gulfstream has a nice outdoor bar and a nice simulcast area if you get a seat, and you have big time racing where you get top horses racing against other top horses and the crowd is great especially on big days. The seating is so limited that it makes it feel like there is always a big crowd there.

I like Tampa but this is really sort of a silly argument. It isn't quite comparing Saratoga to Finger Lakes but it is not that far from it.

Gulfstream cost like 2 billion and Tampa looks like it cost $200, but that doesnt mean Gulfstream is a better place to wach racing. Gulfstream was built to please slots players, not horseplayers.

And why go to South Beach when you can go to Pure Platinum in Ft Lauderdale?

[SniperSB23]

What are people talking about in regards to not being able to see the racing at Gulfstream? I've been on Donn weekend the past two years and have had no problems at all. The entire rail is open all the way down the parking lot to watch the races. In between races there are seats surrounding the paddock that you can sit in so you don't have to stand all day.

[Monarchos1]

Originally Posted by SniperSB23

What are people talking about in regards to not being able to see the racing at Gulfstream? I've been on Donn weekend the past two years and have had no problems at all. The entire rail is open all the way down the parking lot to watch the races. In between races there are seats surrounding the paddock that you can sit in so you don't have to stand all day.

I've been all along the rail at Gulfstream and the only part of the race you can see on the backside from the rail is the top of the jockey helmets due to the elevation of the track. The only races you can watch from the paddock seats are on television. I remember when the new facility opened, some turf writer wrote that Gulfstream was basically simulcasting to itself. That sums it up pretty well. There are very, very few locations at Gulfstream from which you can watch an entire race live and actually see the runners. Possibly the worst design in all of racing, certainly of any I have racetracks I have visited.

[SniperSB23]

Originally Posted by Monarchos1

I've been all along the rail at Gulfstream and the only part of the race you can see on the backside from the rail is the top of the jockey helmets due to the elevation of the track. The only races you can watch from the paddock seats are on television. I remember when the new facility opened, some turf writer wrote that Gulfstream was basically simulcasting to itself. That sums it up pretty well. There are very, very few locations at Gulfstream from which you can watch an entire race live and actually see the runners. Possibly the worst design in all of racing, certainly of any I have racetracks I have visited.

I guess that isn't a big factor to me. Even if I am on the rail at Saratoga I am watching the backstretch on the big screen and waiting for the excitement of the stretch run. At Gulfstream I can do the same thing.

[Sightseek]

After looking over the Stakes schedule I'm going to book the second weekend of the meet at Gulfstream.

I was looking at hotels on priceline - are there any areas I want to target and avoid? Also, Gulfstream's website lists these hotels: http://www.gulfstreampark.com/Footer...nformation.htm has anyone stayed at them?

Thanks for any and all help, I don't know the area at all!

[MISTERGEE]

If your coming to fla I guess you would want to stay on the ocean right?

[Sightseek]

Originally Posted by MISTERGEE

If your coming to fla I guess you would want to stay on the ocean right?

Ideally, but promimity to the track and safeness has first priority.

[tector]

Originally Posted by Sightseek

After looking over the Stakes schedule I'm going to book the second weekend of the meet at Gulfstream.

I was looking at hotels on priceline - are there any areas I want to target and avoid? Also, Gulfstream's website lists these hotels: http://www.gulfstreampark.com/Footer...nformation.htm has anyone stayed at them?

Thanks for any and all help, I don't know the area at all!

The only thing between GP and that Hampton Inn is a Steak N Shake.

What more do you need to know?

[Sightseek]

Originally Posted by tector

The only thing between GP and that Hampton Inn is a Steak N Shake.

What more do you need to know?

I'll probably just go with something like a Marriott that I find on Priceline as close to the beach as possible.

Any interesting and not crazy expensive non-chain restaurants?

[Left Bank]

Originally Posted by Antitrust32

Gulfstream cost like 2 billion and Tampa looks like it cost $200, but that doesnt mean Gulfstream is a better place to wach racing. Gulfstream was built to please slots players, not horseplayers.

And why go to South Beach when you can go to Pure Platinum in Ft Lauderdale?

I was wondering when someone was going to mention the strip clubs!

[Sightseek]

Originally Posted by Antitrust32

Gulfstream cost like 2 billion and Tampa looks like it cost $200, but that doesnt mean Gulfstream is a better place to wach racing. Gulfstream was built to please slots players, not horseplayers.

And why go to South Beach when you can go to Pure Platinum in Ft Lauderdale?

OK, and for those who don't do strip clubs...what beach or beach area is the best?

[gales0678]

Originally Posted by Sightseek

OK, and for those who don't do strip clubs...what beach or beach area is the best?

south beach is where all the fun is , you will run into stars like paris hilton , kim kardashian and our own Indomitable Drugs

Clearwater beach is a fun place as well if you go to TBD

[robfla]

Originally Posted by Sightseek

OK, and for those who don't do strip clubs...what beach or beach area is the best?

there is a nude beach where the median age is 60, about 4 miles south.

North Haulover Beach.

[GPK]

Sighty, if you make the trip to Tampa...call me, we will split a room

[Sightseek]

Originally Posted by GPK

Sighty, if you make the trip to Tampa...call me, we will split a room

Dreaming again?

[GPK]

Originally Posted by Sightseek

Dreaming again?

Just allow me the pleasure to dream, k?

[Bigsmc]

Originally Posted by GPK

Sighty, if you make the trip to Tampa...call me, we will split a room

I smell a double header....

[GPK]

Originally Posted by Bigsmc

I smell a double header....

I do too bro...I do too

[Antitrust32]

Originally Posted by Sightseek

OK, and for those who don't do strip clubs...what beach or beach area is the best?

As far as an actual beach? St Pete/Clearwater or up north in Daytona or Cocoa Beach are my favorites. St Pete is right near Tampa. No waves because its the Gulf but its a great beach. Cocoa is my favorite cause you can drink on the beach and not get arrested. Jumping waves while wasted is one of the better things to do in life.

Night life.. no question South FL has some of the best nightlife in the world. If you can imagine it, you can do it..

[Antitrust32]

If ANYONE goes to Tampa or Gulfstream this winter, let me know cause I'll make the drive.

Last year we were usually getting boxes to Gulfstream, which is the best place to watch the race, but Perrotta is moving to Cali so I dont know if it will happen again this year. Well Byk maybe can hook it up