SIGHTS
Outside: an oval-shaped dirt track surrounded by a fence, flags flapping in the breeze, ads attached to the track rail, striped poles at measured intervals around the track, floodlights for night races, a grassy infield, numbered starting gates, a JumboTron, rows of benches in the apron area, picnic table seating, tiered grandstand seating for those wishing to sit outside for the race, racehorses wearing saddle cloths and saddles, jockeys wearing colorful silks and helmets, an electronic board that displays odds, the backstretch area (stables, dormitories, paddocks, a kitchen and recreational area for stable workers), a clearly marked finish line, water trucks and graders prepping the track before a race, dirt flying up from a running horse’s hooves, spectators fanning themselves with programs
Inside: walls of glass that overlook the racetrack, booths or tables for placing bets, rows of seats for indoor viewing, spaced-out tables and chairs, clubhouse or box seating for a premium price, racing monitors, spectators peering through binoculars, cafeteria-style seating with concession foods for those who wish to grab a quick bite before a race, elevators and escalators, restrooms, vending machines, ATM machines, restrooms
SOUNDS
People chatting or placing bets, the snap of a beer bottle being opened, the crinkle of a food wrapper, sodas being slurped, doors opening and closing, a spectator flipping the pages of a program, announcements being made over an intercom, a bugle or other horn playing Call to the Post, a bell that signals the start of a race, starting gates clanging open, the thundering of horses’ hooves, trainers yelling, sounds dimming as horses run along the far side of the track and getting louder as they come back around, a running commentary over the loudspeaker, spectators yelling or swearing, applause, spectator voices escalating as the race progresses, hurried footsteps as a spectator rushes to collect a bet, a losing ticket being crumpled up, people jumping up and down at the race’s end
SMELLS
Food cooking, sweat, sunscreen, sun-warmed dirt, cigarette smoke, horses, manure, fresh-cut grass, the fresh flowers from a victor’s wreath
TASTES
Concession food (hot dogs, pretzels, popcorn, burgers, nachos), higher-end food from the restaurants inside, soda, beer, wine, water, snacks
TEXTURES AND SENSATIONS
The flutter of anticipation as one places a bet, gripping a ticket tightly in one’s fist, a metal seat or wooden bench pressing into the back of one’s legs, sitting on the edge of one’s seat, jumping to one’s feet during the race, the sun beating down on one’s skin, sweat trickling, a breeze stirring one’s hair, flies buzzing around one’s head, a can or bottle cooling one’s palm, the kiss of air-conditioning on the skin when indoors, squinting into the sun’s glare, sweat causing one’s sunglasses to slide down one’s nose, shading one’s eyes with a program, hard binoculars pressed to one’s eyes
POSSIBLE SOURCES OF CONFLICT
Too much drinking
Losing a sizable bet
Sore losers kicking up a fuss
Discovering that a race has been fixed
Snootiness in the form of old school racetrack aficionados looking down on newcomers
A horse being hurt in a race
Sabotage
Drama between jockeys
Disagreeing with the outcome of a close finish
Too much concession food
A pickpocket working the crowd
Inner conflict as one battles an addiction
PEOPLE COMMONLY FOUND HERE
Cashiers, grooms, hard-core gamblers, horse owners, horse trainers, janitors, jockeys, maintenance workers, newscasters, spectators, veterinarians
RELATED SETTINGS THAT MAY TIE IN WITH THIS ONE
SETTING NOTES AND TIPS
Racetracks vary, from the smaller, seedy tracks to the grand historical ones like Saratoga and Churchill Downs. What doesn’t differ is the variety in clientele. Each venue will attract the career gambler, the gambling addict, couples out for a fun date, old school race fans, and casual attendees—all with their own run-of-the-mill baggage. Instead of assuming that racetrack drama must center around a gambler or addict, take a good look at the other people in attendance. Ask yourself what their stories are and what they might do that can cause trouble for your main character. Introducing believable conflict from an unsuspecting source is a great way to keep the story from growing stale.
SETTING DESCRIPTION EXAMPLE
My footsteps crunched into the warm dirt as I followed Merry in the Morning across the track. A wind blew and some of the gathering clouds had ugly gray bellies, but my gut told me the storm would hold off. In the other starting gate, crewmembers were murmuring to their horses, but Merry was doing just fine and I didn’t want to spook her. She entered the Number Two gate, meek as a newborn calf, and I closed the door without so much as a squeak.
Techniques and Devices Used: Multisensory descriptions, simile
Resulting Effects: Characterization, establishing mood