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Hipodromo Camarero - Try Your Luck Betting on the Horses!
Hipodromo Camarero is the new name for El Comandante Race Track. It is the only thoroughbred race track in Puerto Rico. If you enjoy horse racing, or just want a fun way to spend a few exciting hours - put this on your To-Do list.
The facility is very large - there is plenty of free parking. It seems that during the week (maybe weekends too - I don’t know) most people who like racing, do their betting off-track, so the facility is almost empty.
We usually go inside (upstairs) to the Clubhouse, into the air conditioning. There is an area to hang out and watch the races, Winners Sports Bar for a drink or two, a place to get snacks, the betting windows and a nice restaurant. We like to have a leisurely meal there while watching the races. The Terrace restaurant has huge windows that overlook the racetrack, and there are closed circuit TVs at each table if you want a closer view of the action. It is in this area you will see many of the owners cheering on their horses.
The grandstands are outside - open air seating close to the track to watch the fun. They are multi-leveled seats, so you can see it all - from the parade to show the horses, the race and the winners circle picture taking. There is a concession stand for food and drinks to enjoy during the races.
The races start at about 2:45pm, but they walk the horses around for your perusal about 10 minutes before each race. So check your program and pick your horse! Then they trot the horses off to the starting gates. All this time, you can place your bets - they continuously update the odds.
There are races 5 days a week (not Tuesdays or Thursdays). Post time on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, & Saturday is 2:45pm, and Sunday is 2:15pm. The last race is usually at 6:00pm. So get there a little before that to catch the whole pageantry of the race.
The facility is well landscaped, with palms and a little lake in the middle of the track oval. El Yunque mountains make a pretty backdrop to the fun.
Parking is free, and there are no entrance fees.
Post time on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, & Saturday is 2:45pm. Post time on Sunday is 2:15pm. Closed Tuesday and Thursday. Last race is around 6:00pm.
Phone number is 787-876-2450
Located on Rt 3, in Canovanas, only 12 miles east of San Juan. Take Rt 66 until the end (at Belz Factory Outlets), then turn left onto Rt 3. The entrance is on the left.
The racetrack is about 15 minutes from our vacation rental in Rio Grande.
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Do you race year round? Are the racing forms available in English? What other quality resort/casinos would be closer to the track that El Conquestador?
I have never been to Puerto Rico and I am in a wheelchair, unable to walk, but I travel a lot, Las Vegas, etc.
The horses run year-round, except for Tuesdays and Thursdays when the track is closed.
Racing forms are in Spanish, but there’s not really anything on the forms that you would need specifically in English. The basic information — the name of the horse and the odds — are easily understood. The cashiers speak enough English to take your bet and pay out any winnings.
The Gran Melia and Wyndham Rio Mar resorts are about 20 minutes east of the racetrack. Both are just off of Route 3. Both resorts have casinos.
The El Conquistador is about an hour east of the racetrack, in Fajardo.