Saratoga 2009 meet ?s...

[HuskerFan1]

a couple of friends and i are thinking of going to saratoga's opening weekend...i am looking for any info/ recommendations etc from people who have been there....

inside the track (i see coolers are allowed)

nightlife- we are beer drinkers so bars/clubs that are good

restaurants-places to eat after the races end

even a hotel to stay at....

and anything else that would be useful info would be appreciated

 

[WharfRat+]

inside the track (i see coolers are allowed) - Yes, Its recommended to bring your own cooler,especially if you'll be out back in the picnic area (which is a fun place to be). Be sure to explore the whole place while you are there. Lots of chances to get up close w/ the horses/jocks.

nightlife- we are beer drinkers so bars/clubs that are good = Caroline Street is nightlife central. About a dozen bars in a block radius. All different types.

restaurants-places to eat after the races end = Tons of restaruants...Can't go wrong w/ Olde Bryan Inn or Hatties. Let me know if you want more suggestions.

even a hotel to stay at....Again, plenty, but all pretty pricey during track season. Any place "nice" is $300+ a night. And by nice I mean Holiday Inn, Courtyard Mariott, etc.

and anything else that would be useful info would be appreciated = If you still have some gamble left in you after the races, head over to the "Racino" accross the street. Night time harness racing, 1700 slots and Vapor Night Club. Oh yeah, be sure to try the water at the Big Red Spring. Also, check out the SPAC schedule to see if there are any concerts going on.

 

[DarkStar]

I called a couple of places today for opening weekend.The Thoroughbred Hotel has rooms($110 double occup)available.This is
not a great place,but its something.The Spa & turf is a nice little
place in town(1 mile to track)with an outdoor pool & continental BR.
$150/night Sunday-Thurs.$170 Friday &saturday;however no rooms for
opening weekend.I'm gonna try & go .Definately going August 12-15.
Shoot me a pm if your going then.

Lots of bars.Lots of woman.Theres nothing like The Spa.

Go to the clubhouse.Jim Dandy bar is cool.

Syro's Bar.right across from the track is a great place to go afterwards
& a great place to go in the morning as Harvey Pack,Little Andy & some very good cappers go over the whole card.I would say this starts at 9am
& is very imformative.These guys know their horses & can help make your day.

The Horseshoe bar is closer to the back stretch.Pretty good place close to the track.Check it out.I think you will like it.

Any other questions let me know.

 

[HuskerFan1]

the one question i have is we are obviously bringing a mammoth cooler full of beers if we grab a spot on the lawn where that is allowed can we leave our stuff there and then walk inside the grandstand etc with our own beers in hand and go back and forth like that if we wish?

it sounds like a huge party from what ive been reading...

appreciate the replies.....

 

[cocktailsnlongshots+]

awesome info from both guys...i am shocked there are rooms to be had opening weekend....hey dark star,,i am up there 13-16..hittin giant camp that thurs morn. and the track the next 4 days....i'm always in the backyard by the dixieland band and the bathrooms and the english pub....gotta a fishing cooler that is labled 'the story box'....and 'i need a miracle everyday'....can't miss us...yer welcome to come by and have a few

 

[cocktailsnlongshots+]

the one question i have is we are obviously bringing a mammoth cooler full of beers if we grab a spot on the lawn where that is allowed can we leave our stuff there and then walk inside the grandstand etc with our own beers in hand and go back and forth like that if we wish?

it sounds like a huge party from what ive been reading...

appreciate the replies.....

yeah..although ,, like the other nyra trax...it's cans only..no bottles....but if u load up the bottom of the cooler with bottles like i do and tins on top...the security just asks u to open up the cooler and they see the cans on top and u r good to go...there are so many people there every day that they don't have time to go diving thru every cooler....just a lil hint....i hate can beer...plus the bottles of bourbon turn into beautiful syrup like consistency after a day at the bottom of the cooler

 

[DarkStar]

the one question i have is we are obviously bringing a mammoth cooler full of beers if we grab a spot on the lawn where that is allowed can we leave our stuff there and then walk inside the grandstand etc with our own beers in hand and go back and forth like that if we wish?

it sounds like a huge party from what ive been reading...

appreciate the replies.....

This would not be a problem.

 

[DarkStar]

awesome info from both guys...i am shocked there are rooms to be had opening weekend....hey dark star,,i am up there 13-16..hittin giant camp that thurs morn. and the track the next 4 days....i'm always in the backyard by the dixieland band and the bathrooms and the english pub....gotta a fishing cooler that is labled 'the story box'....and 'i need a miracle everyday'....can't miss us...yer welcome to come by and have a few

I sure will.We are usually in the clubhouse area near the Jim Dandy bar.
If I remember correctly,the dixieland band is a few yards from the clubhouse entrance.I think.

 

[cocktailsnlongshots+]

yeah...u come in the union ave entrance and immediately to yer rite are the bathrooms and the english pub with the european racing...31 days to go can't wait

 

[Dandydand]

I see some really good suggestions. I can suggest that if you cant find a room in Saratoga that there may be some in Glens Falls, Malta or Clifton Park. They can also be had for half the price of a room in Saratoga and are only a 15 minutes or less drive. The only catch is that if you are drinking your will need to have a DD to get you home.

As far as eating and drinking. Like Wharfrat said nightlife centers around Caroline Street, Broadway and Phila Street. It's basically a one block square. I usually barhop when I am in that area and really have never taken notice of the bar names, just the beautiful women. Some of my favorite restaurants are Circus Cafe and Olde Bryan Inn. Good for Breakfast are Comptons and Country Corner.

I'll add one thing about the track because as far as I am concerned the whole place is great. Do yourself a favor and don't go to the paddock to view the horses. You are better off waiting along the horse path between the paddock and the track, it is a nice slow walk and you will get the best close-up view of the horses.