Track apron
Another seating area to be aware of, especially in the summer, is the track apron. This is on the ground level, right beside the actual track that is open to the public for picnics, outdoor viewing and socializing throughout race day. All track aprons are a little different, but they’re usually free (if not, it’s an affordable fee) and have plenty of tables with umbrellas, as well as betting kiosks and restaurants within a close proximity.
Attire
Most likely, when you think about horse races, you envision flashy clothes and ostentatious headwear. Yes, the sport’s highest-profile races tend to be more dressed-up events, but there is no formal dress code. Getting a group of your friends to dress up for a night out at the tracks can make the event feel more special, but if jeans and a T-shirt are more your style, there’s nothing wrong with that.
If you decide to give any of the higher-level seats — such as the clubhouse, box suites or turf club — a try, there usually are dress codes, so check with the specific racetrack before choosing your outfit.
Food and drinks
A day or night at a horse race is so much more than just watching horses run. All six Pennsylvania horse tracks offer a wide array of delicious food, creative co*cktails and entertaining, themed days that make your time at the track not just a sporting event, but an unrivaled entertainment venue. Why simply go to a bar when you can watch horses run up to 40 miles per hour and possibly win some money — all while sipping your favorite brew?
Race times
A day or night at the tracks averages between six to nine horse races, with each race taking place every 25-30 minutes. All races are under 3 minutes (usually half that time), which gives you a good mix of quick, heart-pounding action in between a half-hour or so of placing bets, mingling with friends and enjoying some food and drinks. The starting time of a race is referred to as a “post time,” so if a program says, “Race number three’s post time is 8:15,” that means all horses must be in their gates and ready to run by 8:15.
