*AD/Collaboration, but as always, all views are my own.
While visiting my family, one of the things we ended up going out and doing is betting on some horses at the local race course. Saratoga Race Course is a track I do remember going to as a child, but had no idea Taid, my grandfather, went every single year, because he was taken by his father to see the horses race. With very little experience at race courses, my sister and I were curious, and my dad actually didn’t know the betting system at all, so it was an interesting and time.
Saratoga Race Course is a large course, with around 20 races happening on the day that we went. We attended right at the start of the day – when there weren’t many people there yet. When you go to Saratoga Race Course, you can pick different tickets depending on where you want to go – seat tickets to be in view of the race track and higher up seat tickets to have a better view come at a cost. You can also sit on the outskirts of the venue, at picnic tables, for just an entry fee – but you will need to watch large TV screens to see the race or walk out to the building and view the races from there. Taid wanted to sit at picnic tables, so we did exactly that. He ended up getting each of us a book on the horses and their stats, explaining the various types of betting to my sister and I
Boxed betting seems to be the easiest way to bet. This allows people to pick two to four horses, and they just need to place in any order. The pay-out for this is far less then guessing directly who will come first, second, and so on (called a straight) but you are less likely to end up losing all of your money and only coming close. Inside the booklet, there was a lot of information on the horses, the races they’ve won, the jockeys and even who the favorites were of the professionals who seem to contribute to the stats. If you bet on someone likely to place, and they place, you will get a pay-out but it’s much smaller than if a more risky horse places. If you are going for less risky horses, you’d be better off betting on their exact alignment, as it might not be worth it otherwise. Horse racing betting was a learning experience, and though we didn’t come back with any real huge jackpots, there was a lot of fun in betting and feeling the thrill of seeing your horse make it to the finish line!
Apart from the racing track itself, there is a lot more at Saratoga Race Course, The massive building around the track has various bars and food places – from seafood to burgers – which can be purchased and consumed. The upper floor sells clothing and accessories, for those looking to shop around, and more of this sort of thing is outside the building around the outskirts as well. Bands are playing music, small stalls sell everything from art, to cigars, to handmade jewellery to hats that are themed to the venue. There are more food stalls, but in a food-truck sort of vibe with tacos and mac n cheese catching our eyes. There is a second stage where the horses do a little parade and show off before they enter the race course, in case you want to see your horse before you place a bet on them, and plenty of people walking around having a good time. There were museum-like areas that talked about historical aspects of the venue, jockeys, and horses that had previously raced there.
With so much to do, so many races to see, and so much going on, Saratoga Race Course is a full day out – as is anytime you go to the race track. There is a big spirit along with betting on horses and watching the race, as well as so much going on. This venue even had play parks for children, if they were brought as well, something I remember fondly from when I was a child! It was an amazing experience to have with my family – Taid spending the time to tell us all about different bets and the numbers he felt were lucky, my dad spent a lot of time trying hard to make decisions but always a bit unsure, and my sister and I primarily picked names we thought were cool or were statistically sound, when we wanted to gloat about winning! It’s a neat experience.
You can check out our other Days Out to see what else we’ve been up too!
This looks like such a fun activity! I would love to visit this place. Thanks so much for sharing.
Thank you so much for reading!
I’ve never been to a horse race before. When I see the words “a day at the races” for my family it was always car drag racing as my dad is a mechanic on performance cars. This looks like a very different, but at the same time similar, atmosphere!
Oh wow, I have never been to a car drag race!
I’ve not been to the races in years. We went once with friends on a night out. Not been since. Sounds like you had a fun time.
It is so worth visiting again!
Never visited a racecourse before, unsure where the closest one to me is. looks like you had fun though
I did have a great time!
This place looks like a nice one to visit. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for reading!
I haven’t been to a place like this since I was a kid. My uncle used to take me. I remember how much fun we had.
It is such a good place to make memories with family.
I’ve been to a race track once or twice in the past and had fun, so this looks like a great way to spend an afternoon x
It is such a good time.
I’ve never been to a race track but it always looks like so much fun! What a great day out.
It is such a fun time, you should consider it.
Oh wow sounds like you had a really great day out and perfect for all the family as well!
Laura x
We all really enjoyed it.
This looks like a fun day out. And the races are a little bit of a different activity too!
They are such a different thing to explore.
Sounds like you had such an exciting day at the races! I’ve not been to Saratoga Race Course yet but have bookmarked this for when we do go and visit it.
I do hope you are able to go at some point!
Wow, such a fun activity! I have never been to a Race track and Saratoga Race Course looks great.
It’s a great place