Buenos Aires Racetrack: the charm of spending a day at the racetrack
Palermo Racetrack (Hipódromo de Palermo) has the virtue of combining several activities in one single place: architecture, fun, and gastronomy.
If you have already gone to Caminito in La Boca, if you have taken a picture at the Obelisk and have discovered the ten reasons to get lost in Theater Colon... Then you can move away for a while from 100% touristic attractions and enjoy a charming day at the racetrack. Palermo Racetrack (Hipódromo de Palermo) has the virtue of combining several activities in one single place: architecture, fun, and gastronomy. Below you will find a guide of what to do during your stay:
1. WANDER AROUND THE STREET IN AVENIDA LIBERTADOR AND...
Enjoy the architecture of the area, until reaching just in front the sand track. Just follow the path.
Located on the sophisticated Avenida Libertador, the racetrack building is a traditional postcard with three French-style buildings surrounded by gardens, with sculptures and stairs opening to the Official, Paddock and Especial stands.
2. WALK THROUGH THE OUTSIDE OF SPECIAL STAND...
Go past the Official Stand, and go to boxes area. Once there, you can admire the beauty of horses, ask their names, and choose the target of your bet.
The Official Stand is the most elegant, no jeans and trainers are allowed, and it has a restaurant with direct view to the track and betting booths. In the Special Stand, there is a coffee shop and betting booths. But the Paddock Stand is the most entertaining stand of the three: there is La Paris coffee shop, a circular coffee shop and exhibition boxes to go round before each race, as well as an art gallery to change the environment. The three of them are free access areas. There is a fourth building in the construction, holding the New Stand. There are many restaurants there and, also, a shopping mall.
3. CHECK THE TIME OF THE NEXT RACE. TAKE HEART AND...
Make a bet, and get ready to feel the nervousness of Start, and the adrenalin of gallop. Join the crowds and shout the name of your horse during the final stretch. From 2 p.m. onwards up to 9:30 p.m., there are in total fifteen daily races on Sundays, Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays.
4. WIN. ENJOY YOUR BEGINNER'S LUCK AND...
Collect your bet. With the money earned, invite your travel companions for a cup of tea at La París o have an American dinner at Tucson.
Among the greatest equestrian classics, in May there is the Polla de Potrillos and Potrancas Prize (Young Horse Race), and in November comes the most expected event, the Big National Prize (Gran Premio Nacional), known as the Derby Argentino.
5. FINALLY, YOU CAN´T MISS THE SLOTS HALLS OF THE CASINO ...
A huge variety of Slots for all tastes, more than 4 different varieties of Restaurants, lovely views of the tracks of the Hippodrome, giant Led screens and exclusive sectors for smokers. Entertainment and fun in one of the most impressive historic buildings and in the most beautiful area of Buenos Aires.
A MUST-SEE ATTRACTION!!
INFO: ENTRANCE THROUGH AVENIDA DEL LIBERTADOR 4101, PALERMO
WEBSITE: WWW.PALERMO.COM.AR
* BONUS TRACK
REPEAT THE ENTIRE ABOVE, BUT AT THE SAN ISIDRO RACETRACK
On Wednesday and Friday, races are a few kilometers North of Palermo, in the wonderful San Isidro Racecourse, half an hour from Buenos Aires Downtown. Surrounded by a large 148 hectare park and with sky-open views, this is an ideal spot to spend a day in the open air. The green landscape extends towards the track and multiplies in 2700 meters of perfect grass. With a retro architecture dating back from the 70s, the construction is divided into three stages with coffee shops and betting booths. In mid-December, this site hosts the Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini prize, one of the most aristocratic events of the country. Free admission.
INFO: ENTRANCES THROUGH MÁRQUEZ AND FLEMING OR MÁRQUEZ AND SANTA FE, SAN ISIDRO
WEBSITE: WWW.HIPODROMOSANISIDRO.COM
BY CECILIA ACUÑA
