America’s Best Racing solicited responses from our readers over social media channels in recent days asking people to chime in with their favorite racetrack in North America and why in 150 words or less.

Below is a sampling of the detailed responses from our readers. We had dozens of racetracks named from other readers who opted simply to list their favorite venue.

Note: Some of the answers have been lightly edited for clarity.

Santa Anita Park (Jenny Doyle/Photo Stable)

There are no words needed to describe my favorite track.

It’s a track with a view, no other view like it.

Full of memories as a child, dreaming of being a jockey myself to fulfill my passion of being on the back of a horse, running fast! Unfortunately, I would grow too tall.

Forty-four years later, I am able to live a life on track via a viewfinder. Capturing memories that are visually shareable.

The Great Race Place captured my heart at 4 years old and still captures my heart at 48.—Jenny Doyle, Photo Stable, on Santa Anita Park

My ABSOLUTE favorite is Churchill Downs! I love it because of the Twin Spires, the grandstands … it's very high class. It's just the BEST!—Rita Hackmann

I love my home track at Sam Houston Race Park. The Houston Ladies Classic has produced so many winners that have went on to Grade 1 Stakes races nationally. I got to see them first, which is so special to me. The whole atmosphere is conducive to the well-being and safety of all the horses and riders.—Selena

Secretariat training at Saratoga in 1973. (BloodHorse Library)

Saratoga Race Course is truly our favorite racetrack. Saratoga held such a special place in the heart of David Cassidy. I was blessed to have known David personally for 40 years. My name is Susan Cox and I will be writing my statement and sharing a few thoughts of David’s about Saratoga. David loved Thoroughbred horse racing and that love of the sport and the true love of the horses drew him to the beautiful city of Saratoga [Springs, N.Y.] and the Saratoga Race Course in the state of his birth. He often spoke that Saratoga was his retreat. He often said that Saratoga was his most favorite place on earth. He once said that Saratoga was hallowed ground and that he felt the connections with ghosts of those in the sport who came before him when he came there.

I believe that many of us who love the sport and the Saratoga racetrack feel that same way. There is such a great history of the sport at that track. We as David Cassidy Memorial Legacy Group (DCMLG), which I formed in 2018, call Saratoga home because David did and because of our love for Saratoga Race Course. We formed to carry on David’s mission of wanting to be an ambassador and an advocate for the sport of Thoroughbred racing. It is also only fitting that Saratoga Race Course is the place where the great Secretariat won his first stakes race Aug. 16, 1972. That stakes race was Sanford Stakes. Saratoga has the distinction of having and holding [one of] the oldest stakes races, the Travers, which was named in 1864 for William Travers, who was a co-founder [and the first president] of the racetrack. The Saratoga backstretch has been visited by so many accomplished Thoroughbreds. Of course, Secretariat is on that list, which includes Man o’ War, Curlin, Affirmed, Seattle Slew, Gallant Fox, Seattle Slew, and the gutsy gelding Funny Cide, who is now buried at Saratoga. Saratoga is truly our favorite.—Susan Cox and David Cassidy Memorial Legacy Group DCMLG

Aqueduct … Because of the history, personally where it all began for me in 1966. My first horse raced there, Belong to Dee, and another won on my birthday, City Temper. So many years of memories. The only track I know of in which owners, trainers, and handlers can watch the races literally on the track. I am devastated to my soul that it’s going to be torn down within the next couple years.—Donna Wakefield

Del Mar in California, where the surf meets the turf. The weather is ideal, beautiful views, lots to do in the area.—Carin Sheehan

Sunland Park in New Mexico, because I grew up by it and went to school with kids whose parents were trainers, jockeys, farriers, or other workers there. Also, the infield lake used to have water skiers on it. The track was just open and spacious and later, when I had horses running there, it was just a good homey feeling to it.—Susan Waldemar

Oaklawn Park — been going there off and on for 40 years. Love it and Hot Springs, Ark.—Chris Gee

Lived only a half-hour away from Saratoga Race Course and started going there with our dad and mother at 12 years old. So beautiful and exciting you could feel the history surrounding it, watching and hearing the pounding of the horses’ hooves coming toward the finish line … just amazing. Yet, as years passed, we went to Gulfstream Park on vacation and, as far as the history and ambience, not even close to Saratoga, but love the set up and more freedom up and down the stretch drive. With that said, now it's my favorite.—John C. Neal II

Del Mar, where the surf meets the turf. The setting by the beach is breathtaking. Saratoga and Keeneland are right up there, but this question asks for one [racetrack], and for me, it would be Del Mar all day!—Mike Parker

Ellis Park. Oh, you’ve heard of it but never been there? I hear that all the time. What you get at Ellis is different than any other track I’ve been to. You get the feel of the old days, the grandstand with the second-floor line on the wall marking the flood from back in the day. You can view the track from the clocking area and shoot race photos as [the action] happens! Ellis is not fancy like beautiful Keeneland. With soy beans growing in the infield, you can find families enjoying a day at the races on the lawn. Fans cheer for their favorite horse at the rail as they come down the stretch. It’s a fantastic experience for young and old. Gives me goose bumps as I write. I love Ellis Park.—Nancy Woolsey

Saratoga — from the day I made my first visit in 2000, I was hooked on the track and the town [of Saratoga Springs]. The racing is second to none, the history of the horses that have raced on that track is racing royalty. The town has a romantic feel and the people are the most hospitable anywhere. As a Kentucky native, I always thought that Keeneland was the tops, but Saratoga takes the TOP PRIZE.—Michael Goldsberry

Saratoga! We’ve been going there every year for close to 30 years. Love the track, and the town [of Saratoga Springs] is awesome in the summer. We usually get a table in the Miller Lite picnic area! Fun to watch the jockeys and trainers get ready!—Sue Harvey

Oaklawn Park is a beautiful venue, sparkling clean, comfortable, and everyone who works there is extremely nice and helpful.—Gail E. Poulos