They say a picture is worth a a thousand words. Below are a few pictures I took over the course of three days at Saratoga. The cost to get in for the day is $3 and a program is $2.50, making it extremely affordable for families to come for a day at the races.
I would put to you, how many old folks do you see here? Inside, yes, but they can't go in there because of alcohol being served. But there is a whole world of racing to learn about outside, where they can go over and look at the horses , trainers, owners and jockeys in the walking ring, watch the horses parading around, listen to their parents arguing over programs as to who to bet on, and finally watching the race go off either live or on the monitors. What more do you want?
I've observed similar family outings at both Woodbine and Ft. Erie, not on the grounds but in the stands. Children on parents laps and even in strollers, young boys and girls asking questions of anyone who will listen to them, adults making sure any child gets in front at trackside so they can watch the race. (these are the only three tracks I have been at). I don't know how it is at other U.S. tracks.
The cost to get in to these two Canadian tracks is nothing for the stands and $2.50 for a program and I don't know of anything that says you can't bring your own food or drink there. Inside where alcohol is served is a different story, but if you want to show youngsters a good time on a limited budget, and develop a love of the game, what better place to start. I know of no other sport where you can take a family for a day's outing for this ridiculously cheap amount of money.
What you bet is another matter.
