The Triple Crown of horse racing may be over — all hail Justify! — but there’s still a lot of racing going on across the country at race tracks from Aiken, South Carolina, to Zia Park in Hobbs, New Mexico, and even from Canada, Dubai and Australia.
And the best place to catch all the exciting action is at Monterey County’s premier satellite wagering facility, the Monterey Bay Race Place at the Monterey County Fair & Event Center.
The Race Place broadcasts from more than 12 tracks from around the country, Canada and tracks overseas every day, including such iconic racetracks as Churchill Downs in Kentucky, Belmont Park in New York and Gulfstream Park in Florida to Woodbine Racetrack in Rexdale, Ontario and Monmouth Park, Oceanport, New Jersey and famed tracks such as Del Mar, Santa Anita and Golden Gate Fields in California.
Here are 4 Reasons to Visit The Race Place:
- It’s the only place to watch and wager on horse racing in Monterey County. And from famed tracks from around North America, even from far afield as Dubai and Australia!
- Even if you don’t know anything about wagering on horse racing, you can quickly learn. The folks at The Race Place will be happy to show you how because they get a modest cut of all winnings, so when you win, they win. There’s even a handy guide on the website.
- There’s food and a full bar available, so you can watch, nosh, sip on a cocktail and cheer on your picks with your friends. And the action is always fast and furious, so there’s no lack of excitement.
- You can win a tidy sum of cash with a little luck and some knowledge. The average $2 exacta bet (betting the horses that come in first and second in a race in the exact order) pays out $85! And if you’re still a little unsure, it’s always a safe bet to bet the favorite. Favorites win 33 percent of the time, place (finish first or second) 53 percent of the time, and show (finish first, second or third) 67 percent of the time. And race fans are always happy to give you their tips and opinions on the best horses!
Admission to the Race Place is $7 — with seniors, 65 and older, admitted free on the first Wednesday of every month.
The Race Place is open Wednesday-Thursday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Friday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Night racing is held Friday through Sunday evenings. There is no night racing on Wednesdays.
The Race Place is located near Gate 5 at the Monterey County Fair & Event Center, 2004 Fairground Road in Monterey. For more information, call (831) 372-0315 or click here for a downloadable schedule of races.
