First Ever visit Florida tracks

[mcaulay777]

Somebody might find this interesting. Went To Miami and Tampa for the first time ever. Loved Tampa Bay Downs hated Gulfstream.The Tampa area was great friendly people the Track very old but nice lots of places to sit racing was decent for a Wednesday defiantly worth a visit. Gulfstream on the other hand not fan friendly at all.Too modern. Went on a Saturday which was a huge mistake. Stayed across the street at the Hampton Inn which made getting to the track easy. You walk across a busy street be careful u might get hit Miami has the worse drivers I have ever seen and the traffic brutal right up there with LA.When you get in thru the shops u get right into the paddock very small and congested thru out the day. You walk thru a open space with betting terminals and lots of people to the right is the casino with slots and poker.To the left is the huge simulcast area all the carrels are at price 10 bucks a day with a ton reserved.Outside no where to sit u must have to get there at 8 am to get what few tables there are.The grandstand has a few row of seats at 10 bucks a piece but after the 8th race they were empty so me and the wife were able to sit up there.The rest of the apron was the huge tiki bar area where the only place was there to hang out and sit.The rest of the building was a huge restaurant and the press boxes.So my rating is Tampa Bay 8 and Gulfstream a 3.Gp might have been better to go on a weekday but I wanted to go on a Saturday because of the great racing.If u do go to the tracks on a visit make sure u go to Bright House Field In Clearwater home of the Phillies even if you are not a Phillies fan just a great spring training ballpark my favorite one and I have been to a lot of spring training game in Arizona and few in Florida now but Bright house was great.

[brucedenton]

Yes but Tampa Bay Downs has, by far, the most ANNOYING and LOUDEST and WORST track announcer I ever heard!! I actually cant listen to his race calling at all.

[bostonboss]

Richard grunder

[unusialsusp5]

Yes but Tampa Bay Downs has, by far, the most ANNOYING and LOUDEST and WORST track announcer I ever heard!! I actually cant listen to his race calling at all.

grunder is horrific. i have contacted tampa bay regarding his employment status and haven't received a reply. i and many turn the sound down rather than listen to his botched calls especially down the stretch when he says "it's centeno's race to win or lose". no kidding what does that mean? probably has contract through this season but if they bring him back they are just costing themselves handle next year.