Pimlico Race Track

FUN DAY!!!!  Our trip to Pimlico Race Track on Saturday, May 14, 2011, was by far one of our most enjoyable with the group.

Jean wanted to put something on the calendar that was a little different than our usual outings.  She had been to the race track before with another group, and found out what to do to put this event together for us.

We all met at Shipleys Choice Medical Center at Benfield and Veterans Highway, and carpooled in two vehicles to the track.

Jean had made advance reservations for our group, so we were expected.  Admission was free as was parking.  We purchased and shared several Daily Racing Forms that we used to select the horses we wanted to bet on.

For some background:  Strictly a horse racetrack, Pimlico is most famous for hosting the Preakness Stakes.  Pimlico's name is derived from the 1660s when English settlers called the area where the facility currently stands in honor of Olde Ben Pimlico's Tavern in London from where they came.  Pimlico officially opened in the fall of 1870, with the colt "Preakness" winning the first running.  Later the Preakness Stakes were named in his honor.The track is also noted for the match race in which "Seabiscuit" beat War Admiral in 1938 before a crowd of 43,000.  Some other familiar horses to have run the tracks are Man of War, Sir Barton, Citation, Secretariat and Cigar.  The tracks are a one-mile dirt oval on the outside, and a seven furlong turf oval on the inside.

As you will see from the pictures below, we had two tables back-to-back on the second tier overlooking the racetrack.  Though it was a little misty and cool outside, we were very comfortable inside watching the races though the huge windows.

[If you would like to enlarge any of the pictures, just click on the picture to see a larger version.]

 At the end of each table there were Lumitron Message Boards (see above).  These enabled us to watch the race while the horses raced on the other side of the track.  The Board also gave information of other races going on and detailed info on our own current races.

Races were on both the dirt and turf tracks.  Below are some on the turf inside track.

Before each race guests are welcome to view the horses up close at the Paddock, the last stop before the Jockey and Horse enter the race track.

Of course, betting was had by all.  Obviously we could bet anything we wanted on any horse.  We were really big betters.  Some as much as a $1 and maybe the most was $6.00.  We had a lot of lucky winners, even if it was only $.20.  So much fun and so much laughter.  Most of us knew nothing about betting, checking on the horse's previous races, odds, etc.  But we soon learned how to read the racing form.  Then we really got serious.

The betting windows were not far from our tables.  All one needed was their horse's "number" and what you wanted to bet for win, place, or show.  All was explained in detail in the racing form booklet.

Located closer to the betting windows behind the tiers, was another large dining area.  In addition to this area there were other rooms for viewing the races or dining.

During all of this we had our own waitress to serve us whatever food we wanted off the menu, which offered appetizers, sandwiches, dinners, and sweets.

We really had a nice day, which beat sitting at home.