We always have a great time at the park, whether we win or not. The kids enjoy getting to see all the horses and even getting to pet some of the other horses that aren't racing. It's a great place to hang out and have a good time. There are many options available for watching the races. We go as often as we are able to do so.
You'd have to check their websites to know when do they have live horse races or only the option to watch a race on a big screen. Few weeks ago they organized an annual chihuahua race! It is easy to make bets with small amounts of money. One of the gentlemen we dealt with was very professional and appeared to really stand out from the others. His name was Beau. - You could have a "fun night" at the tracks and have a nice time without spending a lot of money.
Didn't win big, but had a great time. Track is old and outdated, but you don't come here but for one thing anyways and that is to wager. 9 live races, plus tons of off-track wagering. Food was average but they have good prices on Fridays & Saturdays. Free parking, but $5 a head to get in gate. Well worth it if you make the correct wagers. We'll be back before the Fall season is over.
military gets in free before 5pm and only $3 after. $20 bucks for box seat table which is well worth it! We always have tons of fun and the food isn't half bad but alcohol drinks could use some work.
I always enjoy Retama. We were in the Clubhouse - very comfortable. All 6 of us able to sit together and enjoy the races.
Surprised w/free parking under new management, really great support & service people. Relatively clean facility but all shows lots of wear and could really use some updating & paint. Lots of smoking areas w/smoke feeding over to all areas. Sort of expensive drinks (Corona $4.50 each) margaritas advertised @ $4 each. Lost remote betting @ Terrace level dining tables. Food cold & left a really lot to be desired. Staff great but couldn't beat food quality. plenty of staff couldn't beat poor food. Fried Chicken was cold & pink in center; pork chops were cold & congealed fat was present. Dessert was cookies. Only saving grace was fruit & veggie salad. Big let down from previous visits. Lots of places to bet but really poor place for a reasonable visit to remember well. Really pray someone reads this and changes are made.
A group of us decided to go down here for Derby Day thinking it might be fun to place a few bets and watch the derby. This won’t ever happen again!Why? This is a terrible place to watch the Derby. The place was packed and they didn't even play the audio for the biggest event in horse racing. We watched the race on a tiny screen and without the audio it was very hard to tell what was going on (real time). We had to wait several minutes for the final results to see how our horses did.We all decided next Derby Day we'll be sitting in front of a big screen to watch the race. And if we want to place bets we'll do it on line. I may come back to Retama, but only when they are running horses at their park.
Mi girls loved the race park, they could touch the horses and enjoyed all the races, I recommend the cheap part for the kids, they can run all the way in the park
Once you are familiar with the process, it is easy. The staff could be a little more proactive in getting their guests to where they are going, but I suppose many are regulars not needing help. No parking charge, but immediately greet you with a $5 each entry fee. We reserved a $20 "box" which is not really more than a reserved sitting area - (counter with chairs and a 1990's closed circuit TV) but it was nice to sit in the air conditioning. Celeste waited on us efficiently and seemed very eager to help with information. The food was ball parkish at best. Prices were reasonable and the view of the track was very enjoyable. If we go back, I would probably would skip the "box" and try the $20 buffet, and its separate dining area. Or arrive after the sun goes down - eat before we go and sit outside - the breeze was quite nice.
We went on a Friday night. Not many people at all. You could sit just about anywhere you liked. The bar areas were a bit crowded but not so you couldn't find a table. No parking fee and the entrance fee is reasonable. It's fun to bet on the horses even if you don't win. It is a nice place to go for an evening out. Eat somewhere first the dining isn't what they are known for.