Horse Racing
December 10, 2014 4:49 PM Subscribe
I live in Charlotte, NC. A friend and I were discussing how we'd like to go to a horse race and make some bets. We don't even know where to begin on that. We were thinking we could drive to Kentucky. I know of the big tracks out there like Churchill Downs but does horse racing have a minor league? Are there tracks with a lower profiles where betting happens but you don't have to own a yacht to attend?
If you can wait, there's a steeplechase near Charlotte that looks incredible.
posted by rhizome at 5:07 PM on December 10, 2014
posted by rhizome at 5:07 PM on December 10, 2014
There are a lot of racetracks, and most of them are more laid back. Even on Derby Day at Churchill, you don't need to be a rich guy, there's an entire rowdy section for the proles.
posted by Small Dollar at 5:09 PM on December 10, 2014
posted by Small Dollar at 5:09 PM on December 10, 2014
I found this site.
According to it, there are none in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, or Tennessee. There's that one in Virginia, which isn't convenient for you because it's just east of Richmond.
There are four listed for Kentucky and two in West Virginia.
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 5:12 PM on December 10, 2014
According to it, there are none in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, or Tennessee. There's that one in Virginia, which isn't convenient for you because it's just east of Richmond.
There are four listed for Kentucky and two in West Virginia.
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 5:12 PM on December 10, 2014
Churchill Downs is great for the history and obviously for the Derby, but it is huge and on an 'off' day it can seem empty. If you do go, I would recommend going to the Derby museum and experiencing Louisville, which is a cool city.
If you really want to experiencing racing (on an off day), I would recommend going to Keeneland (http://www.keeneland.com/). It is much more compact than Churchill and is beautiful. Everyone dresses up, which makes you feel like you are in the 50s or 60s. Really cool experience. That said, Louisville is more fun, than Lexington.
If you go to either, you could make a weekend out of it and go on the bourbon trail with the rest of the weekend. http://kybourbontrail.com/
Ps. Always bet on the greys.
posted by frednorton at 5:34 PM on December 10, 2014 [2 favorites]
If you really want to experiencing racing (on an off day), I would recommend going to Keeneland (http://www.keeneland.com/). It is much more compact than Churchill and is beautiful. Everyone dresses up, which makes you feel like you are in the 50s or 60s. Really cool experience. That said, Louisville is more fun, than Lexington.
If you go to either, you could make a weekend out of it and go on the bourbon trail with the rest of the weekend. http://kybourbontrail.com/
Ps. Always bet on the greys.
posted by frednorton at 5:34 PM on December 10, 2014 [2 favorites]
Btw...attending a horse race generally is not expensive. I think it is $2 to get into Churchill Downs. Obviously it is crazy expensive to go on Derby day and it can be more expensive on the day of other stakes races, but I wouldn't worry about the costs if you are not planning on going on a big race day.
posted by frednorton at 5:36 PM on December 10, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by frednorton at 5:36 PM on December 10, 2014 [1 favorite]
My experience is that generally racetrack admission is pretty cheap. For example, even at Churchill Downs, general admission is $3 (except of course for Kentucky Derby/Kentucky Oaks days). Louisiana Downs in Shreveport went to free admission when they put in slot machines.
And I'm pretty sure the basic bet is $2 just about anywhere, though I can't confirm that, and they only race every half hour or so. The last time I went to the track, I spent more money on food than I did on actual gambling.
posted by Huffy Puffy at 5:39 PM on December 10, 2014
And I'm pretty sure the basic bet is $2 just about anywhere, though I can't confirm that, and they only race every half hour or so. The last time I went to the track, I spent more money on food than I did on actual gambling.
posted by Huffy Puffy at 5:39 PM on December 10, 2014
All the thoroughbred racing in the south happens in Kentucky. The biggest track is Churchill Downs, of course, but there's another really big one called Keeneland/Keenland/Keanland (i'm not sure of the spelling).
Both tracks host G2 and G3 races, horse racing's minor leagues (the Triple Crown races are all G1).
posted by BadgerDoctor at 5:43 PM on December 10, 2014 [1 favorite]
Both tracks host G2 and G3 races, horse racing's minor leagues (the Triple Crown races are all G1).
posted by BadgerDoctor at 5:43 PM on December 10, 2014 [1 favorite]
Google "G2 G3 races Churchill Downs" and "G2 G3 races Keenland" (i just checked the spelling) to find what to go to.
Don't go in the winter.
posted by BadgerDoctor at 5:53 PM on December 10, 2014
Don't go in the winter.
posted by BadgerDoctor at 5:53 PM on December 10, 2014
Colonial Downs closed last month, I believe.
posted by Benny Andajetz at 6:49 PM on December 10, 2014
posted by Benny Andajetz at 6:49 PM on December 10, 2014
Racetracks are one of the last great social equalizers of our democracy, in my opinion. Take it from Brendan Boyd, in Racing Days, talking about the appeal of the track: "The life part is somewhat more elusive. You have to look for it. It's what draws royalty to the track, and stumblebums. It's the fantasy--what happens around horses".
That's a poetic way of putting it, but many racetracks are in decline and are actively courting visitors. Depending on the track you may have to pay a nominal parking fee and/or a small daily admission free. Many racetracks are open all year and offer simulcast betting from tracks where live racing is occurring. You can always go to a track near you and watch some simulcast races to get a feel for how things are structured, or even place some small bets (more on that later). Horse racing has different seasonal circuits; right now I believe live racing for Kentucky is finished (and there are several tracks in the South outside of Kentucky that feature Thoroughbred racing), although we've still got quite a ways left in our live racing season here in the Pac NW.
So--figure out whether you want live racing or simulcast, pick the corresponding closest track, and then visit the racetracker's bible, the Daily Racing Form. It is the benchmark for information about tracks, horses, riders, trainers, and so on. I taught myself how to wager using their guide as a girl when my chaperone proved insufficiently enthusiastic; browse their guide to learn how to play the races and wager. Basically, the minimum wager for a horse is $2. That gets you one straight bet.
To place a bet, you approach the window and need to give the agent the following information: the track name (e.g., Santa Anita, Colonial Downs, etc.), the race number (multiple races per day, they need to know which one you want), the amount of your bet, what type of bet, and the horse's number. The main variables here are the amount of bet and type of bet. Your straight bets get you win, place, or show; if you want to pick Horse #6 to either win, place, OR show, that will cost you $6; one bet for each possible finishing position. You can also make exotic bets, in which you combine different horses with winning outcomes. Wagering is as (in)expensive or (un)complicated as you want to make it; it really is a sport for everyone. There's actually a very good and detailed guide linked here that I would recommend if you want more detail before you go, or if you're interested in learning more.
That got a bit longer than I intended it to be, but have a great time if you do go. I'd spend all of my living days at the racetrack if I could, I think it's the best place on earth.
posted by stellaluna at 7:39 PM on December 10, 2014 [4 favorites]
That's a poetic way of putting it, but many racetracks are in decline and are actively courting visitors. Depending on the track you may have to pay a nominal parking fee and/or a small daily admission free. Many racetracks are open all year and offer simulcast betting from tracks where live racing is occurring. You can always go to a track near you and watch some simulcast races to get a feel for how things are structured, or even place some small bets (more on that later). Horse racing has different seasonal circuits; right now I believe live racing for Kentucky is finished (and there are several tracks in the South outside of Kentucky that feature Thoroughbred racing), although we've still got quite a ways left in our live racing season here in the Pac NW.
So--figure out whether you want live racing or simulcast, pick the corresponding closest track, and then visit the racetracker's bible, the Daily Racing Form. It is the benchmark for information about tracks, horses, riders, trainers, and so on. I taught myself how to wager using their guide as a girl when my chaperone proved insufficiently enthusiastic; browse their guide to learn how to play the races and wager. Basically, the minimum wager for a horse is $2. That gets you one straight bet.
To place a bet, you approach the window and need to give the agent the following information: the track name (e.g., Santa Anita, Colonial Downs, etc.), the race number (multiple races per day, they need to know which one you want), the amount of your bet, what type of bet, and the horse's number. The main variables here are the amount of bet and type of bet. Your straight bets get you win, place, or show; if you want to pick Horse #6 to either win, place, OR show, that will cost you $6; one bet for each possible finishing position. You can also make exotic bets, in which you combine different horses with winning outcomes. Wagering is as (in)expensive or (un)complicated as you want to make it; it really is a sport for everyone. There's actually a very good and detailed guide linked here that I would recommend if you want more detail before you go, or if you're interested in learning more.
That got a bit longer than I intended it to be, but have a great time if you do go. I'd spend all of my living days at the racetrack if I could, I think it's the best place on earth.
posted by stellaluna at 7:39 PM on December 10, 2014 [4 favorites]
Not much time for me to answer this, but grandstand admission is $2 or $3, and the most common bet is only $2. For thoroughbreds, Keeneland is probably closest to you, and then Churchill. However, races are only run during race meets - just a few weeks at a time, a couple of times a year. The fall meets are already over at both. Keeneland's spring meet will be in April, and then Churchill in May - but avoid Derby and Oaks unless you like huge events/parties and don't really care if you see horse racing.
You can probably find quarterhorse racing nearer to Charlotte, and that's also not expensive to attend. In OH and a couple of places in KY, you can still find harness racing, but they may not be running right now.
posted by dilettante at 3:18 AM on December 11, 2014
You can probably find quarterhorse racing nearer to Charlotte, and that's also not expensive to attend. In OH and a couple of places in KY, you can still find harness racing, but they may not be running right now.
posted by dilettante at 3:18 AM on December 11, 2014
A relative who was in a sorority at ECU would attend the Carolina Cup every year with her "sisters"--everyone looked like they had a lot of fun dressing in large hats and the whole getup. Plus a large Solo cup of something boozy. Who knows if they paid any attention to the race. But it looks pretty legitimate, and if they were able to attend it couldn't have been that expensive.
posted by magdalemon at 7:34 AM on December 11, 2014
posted by magdalemon at 7:34 AM on December 11, 2014
Be sure to go visit the paddock before each race to see the horses first. That's one of the highlights for me, and it's free!
posted by asperity at 5:10 PM on December 11, 2014
posted by asperity at 5:10 PM on December 11, 2014
Yes, you can totally go to the track, and they will be happy to see you. Our local racetrack has dollar Sundays and one day two friends, boyfriend and I rode our bikes there in our lazy brunch clothes and watched a few races. It's a lovely thing to do on a nice day.
posted by oneirodynia at 6:50 PM on December 11, 2014
posted by oneirodynia at 6:50 PM on December 11, 2014
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From brief searching it appears there are none in North Carolina or South Carolina.
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 5:03 PM on December 10, 2014