42 Racetracks and Counting!

6/24/2011 1:01 PM
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Those of you that know me, understand that one of my favorite things is visiting a thoroughbred racetrack I have never been to before. In fact it has become a goal of mine to see as many as possible before I leave this world. In recent months, I am pleased to announce that I have added two new ones to the master list, and tomorrow I will add a third in 2011. As for the new tracks, Tampa Bay Downs established itself as a real favorite, while I enjoyed myself enough at Indiana Downs to believe I will make the 3-hour drive many more times in the future. Tomorrow night I will be heading to Iowa for a first ever visit to Prairie Meadows. I am expecting good things on their big night of racing that includes the Iowa Oaks, Iowa Derby, and Cornhusker Handicap. I'll meet some good friends out there, so a good time is a safe bet.
 
Below you can see every thoroughbred racetrack in which I have seen live racing. The count of 42 is not bad; at 42-years-old, I have finally shot my age, which has always been a goal of mine. You'll see that I have some pretty surprising omissions, feel free to tell me which track you think I absolutely need to get to as soon as possible. As you can see, I desperately need to see some races outside of North America. Also, I am very curious as to how many of you out there can put my list to shame. Talk to me, my friends!
 


 

What the Nation is saying about 42 Racetracks and Counting!...

Don't forget Fore Erie Brian if you haven't already been there. They close in a month or so for this year and I'm not even sure wether they will be open next year. The track where Northern Dancer broke his maiden, won his first race, lost his first race and won is first stakes race.
Pleased to report that Hoosier Park became #43 last night!
I did Mark ... pretty location, and laid back atmosphere for sure!
Brian, did you see the 350-foot redwood trees? Do you agree it's a beautiful place? I can't believe how uncrowded it is there. I'd like to retire there.
Mark, I have actually been to the Humbolt County Fair, but only for simulcasting. Lazmannick, Fort Erie is very much on my to do list ... read some of the earlier comments to see the plan. Thanks for the additional info on the Fort!
Brian.......If you're ever in the Buffalo area you should slip across the Peace Bridge and visit Fort Erie. I haven’t been there in some time but I remember it as a beautiful place with probably the most picturesque infield of any track in N/A. It is operated by private ownership now, but at one time was under the ownership of the Ontario Jockey Club and included in the Woodbine-Greenwood-Fort Erie circuit. It is richly steeped in history. Every modern day Canadian TC winner has raced there in the Prince of Wales Stakes, including the great filly Dance Smartly, With Approval and the ill-fated Izvestia. Other stars have left their mark there including Overskate, winner of the 1979 Bowling Green Handicap, a deep race that included the ’79 Turf Eclipse award winner, Bowl Game. And did I mention that this is the track where Northern Dancer broke his maiden?
The greatest county fair of them all: The Humbolt County Fair at FERNDALE, CA. Located near Eureka, which is a mini San Francisco and right by the biggest trees in the world, the folks at Ferndale know how to have a good time. Nowhere can a crowd of 4,000 make so much noise screaming at a mule race. They also have thoroughbreds and Arabians, plus all the simulcasts from the big tracks. You will be in one of the most beautiful places you've ever been. But bring a jacket as 65 deegrees is a heat wave in Ferndale.
Dang, that's impressive. I've only been to Churchill Downs (my hometown track) and Keeneland (my college town track). I would at least like to visit the rest of the tracks in KY before I go anywhere else. Maybe I'll catch up to your list once I get out of college!
Ahhh, thanks for the education, Matt.
Liberty Bell and Parx were not the same track. Lib was torn down and Franklin Mills mall stands there. Keystone was built in 1974 and was renamed to PHA and now to PRX. Liberty Bell had a split meet of standardbreds and thoroughbreds.
Why did you count both Liberty Bell and Parx?
Here's my list: Atl, Aqu, Bel, Bow, CT, Del, GS, Hol, Lib, Lrl, Med, Mth, Pim, Prx, Rkm, SA, Sar, Suf, Tam, Tdn, York*
wow-6 if you include the one day fair at Millarville/SP/NP/MarD/QuD/Woo
Andy, if you don't watch out, you will pass me before I get to Prairie Meadows ... Thanks, Jarrod, I can't wait!
Looking forward to your Louisiana Downs visit, Brian.
This is fun! 21, I have been to Charles Town!
Wait make mine 20, forgot Hollywood Park and Liberty Bell, which did thoroughbreds before Keystone which became Philadelphia Park which became Parx
Getting a little Euro-jealous here guys!
Nice list! Dang... you've got me beat by five... 37 total for live racing. But that includes Newmarket, Ascot, York, Chantilly and Maisons-Laffite. I highly recommend York (sort of like Saratoga) and Chantilly (simply beautiful) to anyone who has the chance to get there. I think a HRN Euro-trip is in order!
Oh, I forgot I have been to York in England on my honeymoon! Is that 18 for me?

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