Triple Crown no longer a thing?

rick64

Heisman
Jan 25, 2007
25,041
34,864
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Always kind of felt sorry for the Belmont Stakes. Everyone watches the KY Derby because it's the first of the Triple Crown races. Everyone watches the Preakness to see if the Derby winner, assuming they're running in it, can win the 2nd leg. If they win both, then the Belmont gets lots of viewership. If not, then only your hardcore racing fans watch.
 

UKBB4Ever

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Jul 3, 2025
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That is true. I’ll always watch because I’m in the business.

This is aimed at addressing that plus helping the new $1 billion Belmont Park.

I don’t know if this will address what they want.
 

Glenn's Take

Heisman
May 20, 2012
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The thing that's nice about Saratoga is how big it is. Keeneland is a complete ****show because you have nowhere to stand. Saratoga is a bigger track (mile and 1/16 and that huge picnic area by the paddock is really cool.
 
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LineSkiCat14

Heisman
Aug 5, 2015
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It is. We love visiting Saratoga. Just don’t get there enough.

I do want to visit the new Belmont. Maybe we will for the BC in 2027?

Im sure the new Belmont track will be over the top, but that area of long Island (Floral Park, and basically east Queens) is kind of just an over-populated dump. Its almost the anti-thesis of Saratoga. No charm at all.

If you're gonna go, your best bet is to either stay in NYC OR, stay further out on Long Island and commute in. But that part of Long Island is just an over populated extension of NYC. Suffolk County is much nicer. Tons if beach and harbor towns.
 
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LineSkiCat14

Heisman
Aug 5, 2015
39,516
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The thing that's nice about Saratoga is how big it is. Keeneland is a complete ****show because you have nowhere to stand. Saratoga is a bigger track (mile and 1/16 and that huge picnic area by the paddock is really cool.

I havent been to the other tracks (outside of Belmont), but ive heard a lot of people claim that Saratoga is better than them all. They dont have part of the triple crown, but its right there in terms of atmosphere. Also the town of saratoga is great. Not too big, but so much money going around. Just bars and restaurants galore.
 
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Glenn's Take

Heisman
May 20, 2012
12,874
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I havent been to the other tracks (outside of Belmont), but ive heard a lot of people claim that Saratoga is better than them all. They dont have part of the triple crown, but its right there in terms of atmosphere. Also the town of saratoga is great. Not too big, but so much money going around. Just bars and restaurants galore.
I was only there once and we were in and out in 1 day but it was beautiful. I hope to make it back. I've never been there but Delmar may be able to match it but different. Walking straight out to the beach out of the track.
 

UKBB4Ever

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The thing that's nice about Saratoga is how big it is. Keeneland is a complete ****show because you have nowhere to stand. Saratoga is a bigger track (mile and 1/16 and that huge picnic area by the paddock is really cool.
The thing with Saratoga is that it’s really the hub of the town. You can go to the track and have a great time and never go to the grandstands for the races.

I’ve never had a horse run at Saratoga but my former business partner did.

We got to tour the whole place on a golf cart.

And we love the town. Salt and Char is one of my favorite restaurants in the world.

Met Bobby Flay in there once. 👍
 

UKBB4Ever

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I was only there once and we were in and out in 1 day but it was beautiful. I hope to make it back. I've never been there but Delmar may be able to match it but different. Walking straight out to the beach out of the track.
We have been to all the “most beautiful” tracks. Keeneland, Saratoga, Santa Anita, DelMar and Oaklawn.

My wife says it’s Saratoga. I say it’s Santa Anita.

DelMar was less than both to me.

We love Oaklawn just like Saratoga. It’s not quite as important to the town as Saratoga is but it’s close.

It’s a horse racing town. If Oaklawn closed they might as well roll up the streets.
 

LineSkiCat14

Heisman
Aug 5, 2015
39,516
62,215
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The thing with Saratoga is that it’s really the hub of the town. You can go to the track and have a great time and never go to the grandstands for the races.

I’ve never had a horse run at Saratoga but my former business partner did.

We got to tour the whole place on a golf cart.

And we love the town. Salt and Char is one of my favorite restaurants in the world.

Met Bobby Flay in there once. 👍

Yeah very good restaurant scene. The track is probanly just a smidge outside of walking distance into town. But maybe a mile away.

We stayed at the Aldephi hotel where Salt and char is, amazing hotel. The two best restaurants there now (imo) are Seneca and 15 Church, in case you find yourself there in the near future.

Ive had a few bachelor parties there. Everyone i bring from out of town is blown away. For that sort of party environment it really does stand the to toe with places like Nashville and Vegas (obviously on a smaller scale).

If anyone here goes and thinks to remember, DM me. I live about a half hour from there and can help with any info one might have.
 
Jul 6, 2025
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The thing that's nice about Saratoga is how big it is. Keeneland is a complete ****show because you have nowhere to stand. Saratoga is a bigger track (mile and 1/16 and that huge picnic area by the paddock is really cool.

Imo keeneland is an amazing track. The problem is the out of control drunk college kids. I used to be one of those, so I'm not holier than thou, but that is the only negative there.
 
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Catlogic1552

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Jul 3, 2025
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Churchill Downs is the greediest corporation in the country.
Throwing a hissy fit because Preakness wouldn’t let them control their intellectual property. Now they’re trying to destroy the Preakness.
 

BBPirate

Sophomore
Sep 17, 2011
617
124
38
Horse racing in trouble, but still pulls big numbers on TV. Derby 20 million viewers is as good as anything outside of football, Preakness/Belmont getting 3-5 million (unless triple crown in play then Belmont pulls big) also good in today’s environment. Worth a shot to extend things and see how it goes.
 
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Laparkafan

Heisman
Sep 5, 2004
14,762
10,291
93
Horse racing in trouble, but still pulls big numbers on TV. Derby 20 million viewers is as good as anything outside of football, Preakness/Belmont getting 3-5 million (unless triple crown in play then Belmont pulls big) also good in today’s environment. Worth a shot to extend things and see how it goes.
Sure but outside of triple crown/keeneland meets/churchill meets/saratoga/breeders cup a lot to hang onto for some occasional viewing.
 
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UKBB4Ever

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It's not doing all that great in California. Santa Anita and Delmar and maybe Los Al but even they have short fields. I'm not even sure they have racing upstate anymore.
The track up by SanFrancisco closed. I don’t remember the name.

Arlington closed. That was a surprise. And Aqueduct closing? Never thought that would happen.

Florida racing is strong. Louisiana too. Texas is up and down. They can’t seem to figure out out of state betting on in state races. If they don’t they are toast.
 
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Glenn's Take

Heisman
May 20, 2012
12,874
15,128
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The track up by SanFrancisco closed. I don’t remember the name.

Arlington closed. That was a surprise. And Aqueduct closing? Never thought that would happen.

Florida racing is strong. Louisiana too. Texas is up and down. They can’t seem to figure out out of state betting on in state races. If they don’t they are toast.
Watch what you say about Louisiana. Churchill owns the Fairgrounds. Just like they did Arlington. Just like they did Hollywood Park. One of those is an NFL stadium right now and the other would be except the Bears wanted out of Illinois. I don't know when the Saints lease is up at the Superdome but I wish I could bet on where they play after the lease runs out.

Florida is probably OK just because of weather.

Texas doesn't care about horse racing. At all.

My grandfather won races at Aqueduct as a jockey so that was sad to go.

Golden Gate Fields was up in San Francisco and I don't think they have the fair circuit anymore at places like Pleasanton.
 

Laparkafan

Heisman
Sep 5, 2004
14,762
10,291
93
Watch what you say about Louisiana. Churchill owns the Fairgrounds. Just like they did Arlington. Just like they did Hollywood Park. One of those is an NFL stadium right now and the other would be except the Bears wanted out of Illinois. I don't know when the Saints lease is up at the Superdome but I wish I could bet on where they play after the lease runs out.

Florida is probably OK just because of weather.

Texas doesn't care about horse racing. At all.

My grandfather won races at Aqueduct as a jockey so that was sad to go.

Golden Gate Fields was up in San Francisco and I don't think they have the fair circuit anymore at places like Pleasanton.
Also not to mention Fanduel is canning the daily horse racing simulcasts they used to do.
 

Glenn's Take

Heisman
May 20, 2012
12,874
15,128
113
Anybody have any idea what this lithograph, signed by basically everyone on the NY circuit in the late 70's would be worth? My grandfather was a jockey until he got his leg caught in the starting gate and broke it in 20 places. He finished his career as an outrider on the NYRA circuit and this was his retirement gift.
1785806075799.png
 

vhcat1970

All-Conference
Jul 2, 2025
3,505
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The track up by SanFrancisco closed. I don’t remember the name.

Arlington closed. That was a surprise. And Aqueduct closing? Never thought that would happen.

Florida racing is strong. Louisiana too. Texas is up and down. They can’t seem to figure out out of state betting on in state races. If they don’t they are toast.
Bay Meadows?
 

TeamAmerica

All-American
Jul 3, 2025
1,552
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Yeah but they have a $400,000,000 renovation project going on. Maryland never needed 2 state of the art facilities 30 miles apart.
I think it has a lot to do with Maryland stepping in and killing the deal where Churchill was getting the Intellectual Property rights to the Preakness. This pretty much freezes Pimlico out altogether now.
 

TeamAmerica

All-American
Jul 3, 2025
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The track up by SanFrancisco closed. I don’t remember the name.

Arlington closed. That was a surprise. And Aqueduct closing? Never thought that would happen.

Florida racing is strong. Louisiana too. Texas is up and down. They can’t seem to figure out out of state betting on in state races. If they don’t they are toast.
I don't know how strong Florida racing is. They are down to 2 tracks and rumors are Gulfstream will be sold to make way for development. That land has to be worth a fortune.
 
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