Favorite Opening Day?

[philcski]

Originally Posted by Sightseek

I thought this would be a fun topic...what is your favorite opening day(weekend)?

Saratoga for me!

Definitely Saratoga, but there are some other really good ones- Keeneland Spring opening weekend is ridiculously crazy and a much needed start to the spring- Kentucky blows in the winter; never been to it, but Santa Anita Dec 26th fits well with the holiday schedule; and Monmouth opening day starts off the Shore summer.

[freddymo]

Opening day on the inner track because I realize the single best handicapper in the world is about to make me money..

Worst opening day....Saratoga because the shadows get longer and the races get shorter

[eajinabi]

Santa Anita, day after christmas,

Grade one race on opening day!

[GPK]

Hands down this coming Saturday. Opening day at Tampa will always be heads and shoulders above everything else to me, and yes I have been to opening day at Saratoga. I know the quality of horses isn't the greatest and the jockey colony is less than stellar, but the place is simply magical for me and has been for quite a few years now.

What can I say, I'm loyal to a fault.

[Riot]

Keeneland Spring

[2MinsToPost]

It was not opening day

I will never forget seeing Saratoga this past August for the first time

[asudevil]

Del Mar!! Nothing like gazing at cougars.....and race horses.

[jballscalls]

santa anita, emerald downs and Portland Meadows

[docicu3]

Originally Posted by GPK

Hands down this coming Saturday. Opening day at Tampa will always be heads and shoulders above everything else to me, and yes I have been to opening day at Saratoga. I know the quality of horses isn't the greatest and the jockey colony is less than stellar, but the place is simply magical for me and has been for quite a few years now.

What can I say, I'm loyal to a fault.

Never apologize for a true and honest loyal love of one's heart Kev. The place is Churchill Downs on the first Saturday in May to you even it's the second Saturday in December. Smell a rose, kiss the baby and enjoy the day for all it offers......

[Bigsmc]

Originally Posted by GPK

Hands down this coming Saturday. Opening day at Tampa will always be heads and shoulders above everything else to me, and yes I have been to opening day at Saratoga. I know the quality of horses isn't the greatest and the jockey colony is less than stellar, but the place is simply magical for me and has been for quite a few years now.

What can I say, I'm loyal to a fault.

It's my Christmas.

[Rudeboyelvis]

Originally Posted by GPK

Hands down this coming Saturday. Opening day at Tampa will always be heads and shoulders above everything else to me, and yes I have been to opening day at Saratoga. I know the quality of horses isn't the greatest and the jockey colony is less than stellar, but the place is simply magical for me and has been for quite a few years now.

What can I say, I'm loyal to a fault.

They hold a breakfast adjacent to the paddock on opening day morning. Usually a trainer and a jockey talk for a few minutes then it is open for Q & A. When they are done, Margo goes through the card offering her ideas on wagering strategies for the day. All of this taking place directly behind the horses working out.
For me, it signals the start of an exhilarating, exciting, wonderful 5 months.
It is something not to be missed, sadly they barely get more than 100 folks attending (they do a horrific job of promoting this).
If you plan on going, I'd highly suggest it - you get a handicapping guide along with a program included with breakfast for like 6 bucks. Plus you won't have to deal with the traffic which is sure to be a nightmare as there are new roads and traffic patterns getting in this year.

http://www.tampabaydowns.com/Racing/...59&ModuleId=92

[GPK]

Originally Posted by Rudeboyelvis

They hold a breakfast adjacent to the paddock on opening day morning. Usually a trainer and a jockey talk for a few minutes then it is open for Q & A. When they are done, Margo goes through the card offering her ideas on wagering strategies for the day. All of this taking place directly behind the horses working out.
For me, it signals the start of an exhilarating, exciting, wonderful 5 months.
It is something not to be missed, sadly they barely get more than 100 folks attending (they do a horrific job of promoting this).
If you plan on going, I'd highly suggest it - you get a handicapping guide along with a program included with breakfast for like 6 bucks. Plus you won't have to deal with the traffic which is sure to be a nightmare as there are new roads and traffic patterns getting in this year.

http://www.tampabaydowns.com/Racing/...59&ModuleId=92

All this AND you may get the chance to sit with Exacta Bob. That alone is almost like going clubbing with Tiger Woods.

[3kings]

Originally Posted by Rudeboyelvis

They hold a breakfast adjacent to the paddock on opening day morning. Usually a trainer and a jockey talk for a few minutes then it is open for Q & A. When they are done, Margo goes through the card offering her ideas on wagering strategies for the day. All of this taking place directly behind the horses working out.
For me, it signals the start of an exhilarating, exciting, wonderful 5 months.
It is something not to be missed, sadly they barely get more than 100 folks attending (they do a horrific job of promoting this).
If you plan on going, I'd highly suggest it - you get a handicapping guide along with a program included with breakfast for like 6 bucks. Plus you won't have to deal with the traffic which is sure to be a nightmare as there are new roads and traffic patterns getting in this year.

http://www.tampabaydowns.com/Racing/...59&ModuleId=92

New traffic patterns? Crap I just learned the old ones.

[declansharbor]

phoot-be-all....by a mile