I only come here to Bet on the Big 3 Races Derby, Preakness, and the other one...I don't trust…read moreonline betting so this works for me. It's clean & and Safe place to play the ponies...

Event: 2026 Kentucky Derby…read more This satellite only wagering facility gets the job done. And is the only place of it's kind within a fairly wide swath of area now. Fellow patron I met said he came from Novato to bet, because there wasn't a similar venue closer. The place here recently went through a renovation. But honestly, I didn't see any really radical differences from before. Parking to the wagering section of the fairgrounds is thankfully free (although this wasn't always so). Admission inside the facility to bet the ponies is $8. However, for the Derby this year, they were letting patrons inside for free, which was cool. Inside, they have traditional betting windows and electronic self-serve ticket machines. There's a new snack bar vendor that serves up pretty good-looking food. But, they don't want you bringing in your own (cook-dude checked me pretty good for bringing in an outside sandwich). Restrooms are still pretty spartan, bare-bones as before. There's a separate outside section for smokers. Seating availability throughout the venue is typically challenging. And in/out privileges are permitted. Most days during racing season, you could literally wager from early mornings into the evening. Bankroll permitting of course, lol. And for the second straight year, I face-planted betting the derby. As my horse came in 6th or 7th. Welp. Still, the wagering place isn't a bad place to spend the day if you like betting horses.

This place is poorly managed and killing the off track betting operation of Horse Racing action…read more They charge you $10.00 admission with limited seating availability and betting machines that are often broken and scarcely available. They serve Gas station sandwiches and chips that are overpriced and not fresh. They have an assortment of can beers and Sodas. The place is filled with loud talking, smoke smelling and bad hygiene patrons who look to be chasing a broken dream of the ups and downs of gambling on Horse Racing. The place needs to reevaluate their customer service. Patrons rush in to hog seats and sneak outside food in hopes of not paying inflated prices at their Concession stands. The place has no desire to improve an already dying industry. The regular Old time bettors are so fed up that they go to other Satellite facilities or bet online just by not having to endure the pain of playing along side of rude customers hogging the self betting machines with zero regards for others who are waiting to place a bet. Also watch your vouchers closely as the unassuming are awaiting for you to forget a voucher in the machine for their next wager. This place can be a fun experience if they served decent food and opened the bar and kitchen up for the customers enjoying an afternoon outing with friends and loved ones. Sad times.

Enjoyed my visit to the Jockey Club at San Mateo Events Center. Good cheeseburger and fries,…read morefriendly, helpful staff. Way too cold though, air conditioning needed to be lower. Lots of parking. It was a fun afternoon.

Had the greatest evening of my life. I was new to betting, and on my first attempt, I won. The…read morevideo screens fill the room and the customers are friendly. Had a great burger and fries. The energy in the room was incredible.

From the owner: San Jose Fair Downs brings the excitement of live horseracing to over 100 new large video screens…read moreand our new Sports Bar hosts major league action including NFL Sunday Ticket. Fairdowns OTB is located on the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds near the intersection of Monterey Highway and Tully Road in San Jose. So come Watch, Wager, and with a little luck, Win!

EVENT SETTING I have…read morebeen going the racetracks from a teenager to my adult life. I never had envisioned coming to a turf club at a racetrack as I felt that area was for the elite. The first time I went to a turf club was at Golden Gate Fields Racetrack more than fifteen years ago. There was an event that my co-worker invited me to come. Buffet was included and I was able to watch races. My experience at the Turf Club in Golden Gate Fields Racetrack changed my perception. I started going to the Turf Club in June 2021 when places were starting to open. That day in June was for the Belmont Stakes. I placed my bet on Rombauer who won the El Camino Real Derby at Golden Gate Fields in February when at that time the racetrack had not been opened to the public. It was great to get back to normal. During that year the buffet was not available. In 2022 for the Kentucky Derby buffet was served at the Turf Club. I enjoyed my time while eating, drinking, and betting. Eventually the Turf Club would have the event "Second Saturday Buffet" where every second Saturday of the month the buffet would be served. During this event I started noticing a lot of events taking place at the Turf Club. I saw a 50-year reunion of El Cerrito High School. I've seen Catholic groups coordinating events. I've also seen a reunion of a college fraternity. In summer of last year it was announced that Golden Gate Fields Racetrack would close its live racing forever in December. Eventually there was a reprieve that the racetrack would remain open through June 2024. Starting last August I would come to the Turf Club when the buffet was available. Even though I was there to eat mainly I was there to experience going to Golden Gate Fields Racetrack. I came here on September the day after my birthday for the buffet before leaving to watch the college football game between Auburn and California. I went here to for the Breeders Cup Watch Party in November. Last February I came here for the El Camino Real Derby, which is a Kentucky Derby prep race. Twice I came here in May for the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes watch parties. Yesterday was my final time to come to Golden Gate Fields Racetrack as it was the second last day of live racing. I came here for the Belmont Stakes Watch Party. I brought my nephew for his high school graduation gift. I was saddened that Golden Gate Fields Racetrack would be closing but I relished by enjoying my time at the Turf Club. In the Kentucky Derby I ordered the cocktail Mint Julep. For the Preakness Stakes I ordered the cocktail Black-Eyed Susan. For the Belmont Stakes I ordered the Long Island Iced Tea. Hearing the crowd cheer for their horses they bet to win is something I will miss from the Turf Club. Due to its closed area the Turf Club can be loud when people are yelling during the races. After the final race of the day I shook hands and gave hugs to people at the Turf Club. After the pandemic the servers and staff were helpful and inviting. They know and appreciate that life is short. I left the Turf Club past 6:30 PM knowing that I will never come here again.

Date: 3/26/2022 Time: 1:05 PM 59° Sunny…read more My husband and I were invited by one of my classmates to the Turf Club for a birthday celebration. Her friend turned 62 years old. It has been over six years since I came here for horse racing. Back then the Turf Club had a buffet with plenty cakes and pies. They no longer have the buffet, and I believe it is due to COV-19. My husband and I like watching the horse races in the Turf Club instead of sitting outdoor. I remember many years ago watching the races outdoor in the fall. Weatherwise it was cool and breezy. Definitely it is more comfortable sitting indoor. The employees at the entrance were friendly, especially the gentleman at the podium. He was the "ambassador" of the Turf Club, greeting and escorting guests to their respective tables. Service was slow when it came to ordering from the menu and receiving the items. Besides my husband, two people at our table ordered the Turf Club sandwiches. Those items came out quick, and we found out that those sandwiches were given to us in error by an employee on the wait staff. Ooh, there was one thing I did not want to hear within earshot was an employee scolding another employee for the error. The main person helping us was Catherine. She was very patient and accommodating with us and other guests. There was a limited selection on the menu - starters, soup/salads and sandwiches. Prices were slightly pricy. Eats & beverages: turf club sandwich, fries included, and a margarita for husband, Caesar salad with shrimp, onion rings and an Arnie Palmer for me. I always order an Arnie Palmer as a taste test to determine whether the food is going to be delish. The tea passed even though I had better elsewhere. Husband said margarita was not strong enough, as in alcohol. It was sent back to the bartender and the second one was better. My Caesar salad with shrimp was on point. The onion rings with ranch dressing were yummy and I wanted more. I love onion rings and by far they were better than those in a fast food joint. I'm not much into placing bets on horses. I have become cheap in my old ways. I perused the program and I wanted to place a $2.00 bet on a horse named Cheap Cheap Cheap in the 8th race for the way I felt. Alas, I was not able to do it. My husband's Inogen pack was running low on oxygen after the seventh race. We had to leave and head home. I can't really say when my husband and I will return for a day at the races. Peace out!

I've been taking lessons here since December and absolutely love it. My trainer Kristina is…read moreknowledgeable, attentive, and truly cares about helping her students improve. I've grown so much as a rider already and always leave feeling like I learned something valuable. The horses are beautifully cared for and it's obvious how much love and respect they receive. Finding a place that values both good horsemanship and the wellbeing of the horses means everything to me. I'm incredibly grateful for this experience and highly recommend this barn to anyone wanting to learn and grow as a rider.

If you want to learn how to ride, this is absolutely the best place you could seek out. I have been…read morewith Kristina for over 10 years now, and can say firsthand she teaches you everything you need to know, from the ground up, building an unshakable foundation! I've seen her teaching throughout the years, and can confidently say she teaches incredibly, and explains things thoroughly and will work with you to get you where you need to be. I have seen the impeccable care her horses are under, and she is extremely knowledgeable when it comes to training, and your horses health if you choose to board. The boarders are wonderful people, and the atmosphere will provide a great experience!

My two kids have been taking lessons from Aleya for just over a year. Aleya has catered our lessons…read moreto the skill level and speed that we are learning and not by a set timeline. We are able to advance our skills with each lesson, not getting bored, but fine-tuning what we have already learned from previous lessons while incorporating new skills. Our Level packets (literature) which are sent home, outline what we need to know to excel and are perfect for studying/helping with practice in between lessons. Aleya is a life-experienced rider and shares her knowledge, love for her horses, and sense of humor with each lesson. Before each lesson, you will catch, groom, tack the horse and after the lesson, undress the horse. You should allow time before and after your lesson for this. Your first lesson will give you an idea of how much time you need for each lesson. We have come to feel like part of the family when we're here. We take our lessons very seriously (around the horses, it's all business) but have found it's casual enough to ask questions, help out around the barn, and are welcome to participate in get-togethers (BBQs, hikes, camping, etc).

This barn has chickens & sheep roaming freely in and out of the arena during lessons, the trainer…read moresmokes and uses foul language during the lessons. The "lessons" were definitely subpar.

This is the cleanest stable I have ever seen in the bay area…read more I'm taking lessons from Sarah and she is amazing! I have taken some lessons at other barns in Portola Valley, the Sand Hill Road exit on 280 but Sarah at Menlo Circus Club is my favorite riding instructor. My posting trot has improved a lot with her training and she is willing to answer all my not-so-smart questions. Sarah also pointed out my bad riding habits and make me a better rider. My lesson horse is Roxy and she got a lot of character!

Our family's membership began about 50 years ago. We swim here and play tennis as often as…read morepossible. Staff is all very accommodating and non-intrusive but when you need something it will be taken care of immediately. I hear it now costs about $100,000 to join but the monthly dues are less than $1,000. It's worth every penny in my opinion and I've never heard of any member who doesn't feel the same way.

This is the third rodeo I've attended. I still think the Livermore Rodeo's the best (of those that…read moretake place in the bay area), but we enjoyed our time at Rowell Ranch this past weekend, watching and cheering on the competitors (both humans and animals) as they engaged in team roping, saddle bronc riding, calf tie-down roping, cowgirl barrel racing, and of course, the bull riding (which happens during the final half hour). There was also a bit of entertainment in between events, like a lip sync contest and a pee wee stampede for the kids. The sound system wasn't the greatest, it cut out a couple times, but it wasn't terrible. And views were great from anywhere in the arena. The bleacher seats were nasty though, dirtiest on the shady side, not just dusty, but sticky and slimy, dead insects, just ewww. Concessions, mainly offered by Hayward Rotary, were limited compared to similar events elsewhere. They sold the typical hot dogs, nachos, kettle corn, and cotton candy, along with snow cones and ice cream. Besides soda, few beverage options were available, just one kind of beer, red/white wine, and whiskey lemonade which came in two choices of flavors. We chose peach over apple, and it was tasty and refreshing with very little alcohol content. There were also several merchandise vendors, including plenty of hat tents, though I didn't find a cowgirl hat I liked. We enjoyed our time at this multiday event, and though we just came for the pro rodeo main show, they also offered a cowboy style tri tip dinner & live music for guests on Saturday evening. But that cost extra, almost twice as much as the rodeo admission price. Also the parking lot was full/closed early, and people just parked anywhere they could fit their cars, along the road, on the curbs, in the dirt, etc.

Excellent rodeo experience in the Bay Area - smaller than the Livermore rodeo but equally…read moreenjoyable. We went in late May and had a blast seeing the cowboys and cowgirls show off their skills calf roping, steer roping, bronco riding and bull riding. We took turns sitting in the grandstands which were in the sun and those that were in the shade - the latter was much more comfortable though the view wasn't as great. Parking wasn't easy so get there early if you can. Lots of affordable food and drinks. Bathrooms were serviceable and people were friendly. We will be back!

Attended my first rodeo this past weekend, and the entertainment value was high, well trained bulls…read moreand horses keeping the crowd engaged... along with the humans running the show of course. Parking and event entry was quick and easy (though it cost $20 at Cow Palace). And there were several concession stands available serving typical snacks and treats like hot dogs, nachos, and even frozen beverages. The show started at 7:30pm, and various acts occurred for a little over two hours (before the main attraction). This included award presentations, an opportunity for moms from the crowd to enter the arena and race for a prize wearing only one shoe, corny jokes by the rodeo clown, saddle bronc riding (wild bucking horse trying to throw off the rider... similar to bull riding), horse barrel racing (female riders getting their horses to zoom around 3 barrels in the arena at the highest speed), and tie-down roping (cowboys wielding a lasso on the bull, competing for quickest time). I liked how the announcer explained the rules and animal ethics to the audience as some participants were disqualified during the roping challenge. The bull riding started around 9:45pm, and those spinning, twisting bulls were crazy! This 15-minute highlight of the event, with about 5 different bulls/riders, was followed by a bull jumper/stuntman performing acrobatics, dodging and doing flips in the air while being charged by a bull. The show ultimately ended around 10:15pm, and quickly turned into a country concert, opening up the arena to all, for live music entertainment. I enjoyed the event overall, and felt that Section 19 offered an ideal view of all the different acts. I do recommend coming a little early if sitting in the dress circle though, since it's "first come, first served" stadium seating and was pretty crowded. Cool and unique experience, and I will definitely return!

Never in my life have I had the desire to go to a rodeo! Then I got married and my husband loves…read moreit. Eye roll...as a gift I got tickets for us to attend. There's a ton of people who enjoy this sort of thing, so we parked far and walked. As we entered we were greeted at the door and thrown into the chaos. It's an adult circus complete with clowns, rings and lights. The animals do most of the performing. We wakes the whole arena. Saw the horses in the back on the dirt ground, looked at the food options and viewed the merch that was being sold. We found our seats and listened to the dj intro, watched all the events and left. Not my favorite but glad I experienced it once.

Steve rescued me after my other farrier failed to show up. Have used him 2 times so far and am…read moreblown away by how much better my horses feet look. He listens to any concerns you may have, works with your vet if need be. Totally different experience for me and I'm in heaven. Just because your shoer claims to be the best, do your research. My pony foundered and could have been helped if dealt with in a timely manner, had my previous farrier actually listened to my concerns and kept on a schedule. If your farrier now is always doing major reconstruction of drains and patches maybe it's time for a new farrier.

Steve is the absolute BEST farrier. I've got a thoroughbred with CRAP feet. I just got him in July…read moreand Steve came highly recommended to me by several other horse owners at my barn. He has been so responsive and worked miracles for my Larkspur. He had a nasty quarter crack that made him lame and Steve did some kind of miracle shoes. He's caring and compassionate and loves horses. Plus he will keep you in stitches while he works. He's got an incredible team of guys who work with him but he is super serious about quality and makes sure your horse is his top priority. I absolutely would not let anyone else touch my horse's feet.