It was a day at the races —Bay Meadows last day

Yes, it was the last day of the races, in San Mateo, Bay Meadows.  Jake and I went by train to enjoy a full day at the races.

 

are we almost there?

 

  I have never been to the horse races  before and all was new to me.  I loved every minute of it and had the grand opportunity to enjoy much of it in the Turf Club. Just to go in is $15 and then you have to decide what you are going to eat, buffet or a la carte.  You have your own table, set up with a tiny tv, so you can see the races on the track and other races that day elsewhere.

full house for the afternoon

 

what a view!

 

I did place three bets, three different races, and  won one time, picking #8 to come in to “show” which means either 1^st, 2^nd or 3^rd.  He came in first, too bad  I did not bet he would be 1st.  For a $2 bet, I won back, $3.80!  No, it did not make me a gambler! 

mum has the winning number——#8!

 

there is my winning horse, being led into the winners circle!  Chose #8, Chinese good luck number!

 

Learned there is different courses, grass and dirt, and there is a people ambulance that follows the race, along with a van, probably carrying a vet, and a man on the horse that is alert in case a horse runs wild!

a very good looking race horse! —-a winner?

 

—or is this a winner?

Before each race, they go to the paddock so bettors can check out the horse, and then right before the race, someone else rides alongside the jockey and horse, to calm the  horse down.  After the race, winner horse and jockey goes to the winners circle and last bit is horses are walked off so to not put the horse back in the stable still wet. 

I enjoyed the afternoon, taking pics along the wall and seeing beautiful horses, having a nice comfortable lunch with friends, and cheered for my horse to come in first.  The last race has long been run, and the news is that the race track will be torn down to make way for housing.  I wonder where all the race horses will go. 

Under construction in 1934 and to be torn down completely soon—-one last ditch effort for a few friends of bay meadows to show their support, at a community meeting, in October!

 

 

 

smiles  : ) 

bay meadows race track