Hipódromo de las Américas

Mexico City’s only horse-racing track is the Hipódromo de las Américas (Av. Industria Militar just west of the Periférico, beyond Polanco, in Colonia Lomas de Sotelo, tel. 5387-0600, www.hipodromo.com.mx). The 1.5-kilometer oval course is a diverting place to spend an afternoon, tipping drinks in one of the various bars, watching the horses and riders parade around and race, and of course placing a few bets to keep the excitement up. The officials at the betting windows are usually all too happy to explain the general betting rules to a novice. Races are held Thursday 5:30–10 p.m. and Friday through Sunday 3–8 p.m. The entrance fee is $2 general admission or $5 for box/mezzanine seating. The minimum bet is $0.10. By public transport, get off at either Chapultepec or Auditorio Metro stations and look for buses marked “Hipódromo” driving west on Paseo de la Reforma.