Saratoga Opening Day 1 Week away- Anyone making a trip?

[topgame85]

Thinking about riding up for a couple days from DC. Maybe the 2nd week. Went for the first time two years ago. Beautiful surrounding area with good Restaurant and Bar scene. Absolutely worth it if you've never been. Anyone have something on the books yet?

[Easy-Rider 66]

Used to live up North but was not a regular Player back in those days. So never been to the SPA. Now live down South so have been to Keeneland. Nice track you ever get there Gamer?

[topgame85]

Used to live up North but was not a regular Player back in those days. So never been to the SPA. Now live down South so have been to Keeneland. Nice track you ever get there Gamer?

I visited Keenland a day they weren't racing. We stayed in Lexington the day before the Derby the year I went. Drove the 90 or so mi. into Louisville at the crack of dawn the morning of. Swung by Keenland and visited the Kentucky Horse Park while we were in Lexington. Got to meet one of my favorites ever- Funnycide, who is retired there. Love KY, need to get back out there soon as well.

Tracks I've hit so far-

Live- When running-

Saratoga
Belmont
Laurel
Pimlico
Churchill
Charles Town
Rosecroft (H)


Dark- No on-site racing

Bangor (H)
DelMar
Keenland
Batavia (H)

[Mackballs]

Will be there 7/23 and 7/24

[Easy-Rider 66]

I visited Keenland a day they weren't racing. We stayed in Lexington the day before the Derby the year I went. Drove the 90 or so mi. into Louisville at the crack of dawn the morning of. Swung by Keenland and visited the Kentucky Horse Park while we were in Lexington. Got to meet one of my favorites ever- Funnycide, who is retired there. Love KY, need to get back out there soon as well.

Tracks I've hit so far-

Live- When running-

Saratoga
Belmont
Laurel
Pimlico
Churchill
Charles Town
Rosecroft (H)


Dark- No on-site racing

Bangor (H)
DelMar
Keenland
Batavia (H)

OK Gamer thx for the rundown. I have visited Keeneland, Delaware, Monmouth, Meadowlands, and Turf Paradise. would like to make the trip to Colonial Downs one day as I am only about 4 hours from the track.

[Easy-Rider 66]

Hey Gamer: If you do go to SAR make a vid up there. just a suggestion. thx.

[topgame85]

Hey Gamer: If you do go to SAR make a vid up there. just a suggestion. thx.

Will get some videos out there. I knew I had to be forgetting something- Colonial. I did get there for a live Harness Day back before the shutdown several years back. The lottery had a branded "Colonial Downs" $2 scratch off game where losing tickets could be entered for points and you could buy prizes if you accumulated enough. I bought a silly amount of those things. Probably had $1,000+ in losing tickets that I entered into the website. What a pain. All said and done it bought me two free admissions at the track, two hotdogs, two cokes, and a $2 win ticket on every horse in every race. Think I got back just shy of $100 from the tickets. Probably lost a couple hundred on simulcast in between races though

Now that they are back in action, it'd be nice to get there for the VA Derby.

[Easy-Rider 66]

Will get some videos out there. I knew I had to be forgetting something- Colonial. I did get there for a live Harness Day back before the shutdown several years back. The lottery had a branded "Colonial Downs" $2 scratch off game where losing tickets could be entered for points and you could buy prizes if you accumulated enough. I bought a silly amount of those things. Probably had $1,000+ in losing tickets that I entered into the website. What a pain. All said and done it bought me two free admissions at the track, two hotdogs, two cokes, and a $2 win ticket on every horse in every race. Think I got back just shy of $100 from the tickets. Probably lost a couple hundred on simulcast in between races though

Now that they are back in action, it'd be nice to get there for the VA Derby.

OK Gamer good story. yeah I know the track was shut down for a bit. I think their meet commences mid-July. into sept. hope one day to get there.

[topgame85]

Will be there 7/23 and 7/24

Nice! Our paths may cross. That was the weekend I was most seriously considering. Did you book a hotel or AirBnB? I stayed about 30 minutes out of town on some small lake last time, which was nice, but rather be closer in this time as the Uber scene was sporadic. Assume it is much worse now.

[INVEGA MAN]

I will be at Del Mar where i know it wont rain!!

[USCPHILLYGUY]

Gamer pick me up in jersey

[topgame85]

I will be at Del Mar where i know it wont rain!!

Can't argue with that! If I had unlimited funds I'd spend a lot of time out there. When I hit the lottery SD will definitely be in consideration for a second home.

[topgame85]

Gamer pick me up in jersey

Free Handicapping advice all weekend included?

[jjgold]

Gamer pick me up in Allentown right off 22

[GzaTheGenius]

Will be there sometime this summer

Havent booked anything yet, will be during the week though not on the weekend due to work

[SamsNCharge99]

ill be there 7/25

i live 30 minutes away, will go there 2-3x

[USCPHILLYGUY]

Free Handicapping advice all weekend included?

Definitely brother. I shot BigJoe a text maybe he could set something up hotel wise.

[topgame85]

ill be there 7/25

i live 30 minutes away, will go there 2-3x

I thought you did. Good thing you can contain yourself from going every day. Might see you out there Sammy! I'd probably head out on 7/25 but might leave after the card.

[ConleyPicks]

ill be there 7/25

i live 30 minutes away, will go there 2-3x

Lucky guy!

Have never made the trek down there since I live in Canada but it's not that bad of a drive for the other Canadians I have talked to that have been down there for live racing

Someday I want to group with a couple of my friends either from SBR or PaceAdvantage or just anyone that would plan a trip all together to enjoy Saratoga!

I will definitely be watching every single day with doing my selections and analysis for stakes days

[topgame85]

Definitely brother. I shot BigJoe a text maybe he could set something up hotel wise.

What would your timeline/availability look like? I'd probably be shooting to leave early Thursday or Friday to get there by 1st Post. Head back Sunday. Maybe after card.

[topgame85]

Lucky guy!

Have never made the trek down there since I live in Canada but it's not that bad of a drive for the other Canadians I have talked to that have been down there for live racing

Someday I want to group with a couple of my friends either from SBR or PaceAdvantage or just anyone that would plan a trip all together to enjoy Saratoga!

I will definitely be watching every single day with doing my selections and analysis for stakes days

Worth the trip. Wish I went when I was younger, you will have a blast.

[Reload]

I usually go on Labor Day weekend almost every year. It's a great time then if the weather works out OK.

The last time a couple of years back, I stayed at Rivers Casino in Schenectady and they had a shuttle back and forth. All works out great.

[topgame85]

I usually go on Labor Day weekend almost every year. It's a great time then if the weather works out OK.

The last time a couple of years back, I stayed at Rivers Casino in Schenectady and they had a shuttle back and forth. All works out great.

Interesting. Only 35 mins. out. Sharp play. Have the Sportsbook at your disposal now as well.

[ConleyPicks]

Worth the trip. Wish I went when I was younger, you will have a blast.

It sounds amazing!

Could we create some contest for Saratoga this year? I can create/run the contest and everyone could contribute to ideas before we get started

Something like what Easy-Rider did at RX:
All days of the meet are playable
$1k starting bankroll
Bets offered are WIN PLACE WIN/PLACE EXACTAS

$16 is the max you can bet per race
Limits for Single bets $8 on a win or a place bet
Exacta limits $1 exacta box up to 3 horses or $1 exacta Key box with 4 horses underneath
All players can play same horse(s) but no intentional tailing
All Players are grading their own selections but contest creator runs a daily tally/leaderboard
All Players are required to publish their risk/return either when all races are completed or the morning of the next race day ASAP
All plays are posted in the specific thread called "2021 Saratoga Contest Thread"
Post as each race goes off or advance but be sure to adjust for scratches if picks end up scratching
No contest prize just bragging rights unless we would like to contribute $20 each player?

[topgame85]

It sounds amazing!

Could we create some contest for Saratoga this year? I can create/run the contest and everyone could contribute to ideas before we get started

Something like what Easy-Rider did at RX:
All days of the meet are playable
$1k starting bankroll
Bets offered are WIN PLACE WIN/PLACE EXACTAS

$16 is the max you can bet per race
Limits for Single bets $8 on a win or a place bet
Exacta limits $1 exacta box up to 3 horses or $1 exacta Key box with 4 horses underneath
All players can play same horse(s) but no intentional tailing
All Players are grading their own selections but contest creator runs a daily tally/leaderboard
All Players are required to publish their risk/return either when all races are completed or the morning of the next race day ASAP
All plays are posted in the specific thread called "2021 Saratoga Contest Thread"
Post as each race goes off or advance but be sure to adjust for scratches if picks end up scratching
No contest prize just bragging rights unless we would like to contribute $20 each player?

You'd get a handful of guys willing to stick it out but most would want bet points giveaway or something. Hard to motivate people to play extended contests. Most prefer one day events.

[ConleyPicks]

You'd get a handful of guys willing to stick it out but most would want bet points giveaway or something. Hard to motivate people to play extended contests. Most prefer one day events.

Like "Travers Day" or any other stakes

[Easy-Rider 66]

It sounds amazing!

Could we create some contest for Saratoga this year? I can create/run the contest and everyone could contribute to ideas before we get started

Something like what Easy-Rider did at RX:
All days of the meet are playable
$1k starting bankroll
Bets offered are WIN PLACE WIN/PLACE EXACTAS

$16 is the max you can bet per race
Limits for Single bets $8 on a win or a place bet
Exacta limits $1 exacta box up to 3 horses or $1 exacta Key box with 4 horses underneath
All players can play same horse(s) but no intentional tailing
All Players are grading their own selections but contest creator runs a daily tally/leaderboard
All Players are required to publish their risk/return either when all races are completed or the morning of the next race day ASAP
All plays are posted in the specific thread called "2021 Saratoga Contest Thread"
Post as each race goes off or advance but be sure to adjust for scratches if picks end up scratching
No contest prize just bragging rights unless we would like to contribute $20 each player?

can not do $$ contests here Conley. would have to be for points. only SBR can run for the money games.

[USCPHILLYGUY]

What would your timeline/availability look like? I'd probably be shooting to leave early Thursday or Friday to get there by 1st Post. Head back Sunday. Maybe after card.

Tentative 7/23. BigJoe in as well.

[ConleyPicks]

can not do $$ contests here Conley. would have to be for points. only SBR can run for the money games.

I'm sorry figured they would give away points

[SamsNCharge99]

I thought you did. Good thing you can contain yourself from going every day. Might see you out there Sammy! I'd probably head out on 7/25 but might leave after the card.

I work most days. So sunday is really only day im available.

[TheMetsSuck]

Loved going to the Traverse. Definitely going again at some point

[topgame85]

I work most days. So sunday is really only day im available.

Making money is better than losing it. You are doing it right.

[SamsNCharge99]

Making money is better than losing it. You are doing it right.

My parents house is a 2 minute walk from an OTB. My high school is also close distance

favorite story was leaving high school on lunch break and running into my dad at the otb making bets. Hes like arent you supposed to be in school.

i stink at horses but its fun day

[Mackballs]

Nice! Our paths may cross. That was the weekend I was most seriously considering. Did you book a hotel or AirBnB? I stayed about 30 minutes out of town on some small lake last time, which was nice, but rather be closer in this time as the Uber scene was sporadic. Assume it is much worse now.

Couple years ago we got an Airbnb right in town. There's was like 12 of us so it worked out well. Tremendous weekend.

Only 5 this year so we just booked a hotel in Clifton Park. Easy drive in the morning to get to the track. Ride back may be a bit hazy. Well probably Uber both ways.

[flyingillini]

I usually go on Labor Day weekend almost every year. It's a great time then if the weather works out OK.

The last time a couple of years back, I stayed at Rivers Casino in Schenectady and they had a shuttle back and forth. All works out great.

Please bring your wallet. It’s become a trend with you. Enough is enough Mr. Reload. You can pay for your own meals!