In gambling, few things are a sure bet.<\/p>\n
Phil Balderamos believes he\u2019s found one near the Gaslamp Quarter.<\/p>\n
Balderamos is the man behind Striders \u2014 a luxury sports lounge located at the Harbor Club Towers \u2014 the first lounge in the area to allow off-track betting on horse races from racetracks around the world.<\/p>\n
As managing director of Sportech Venues California, Balderamos has been working for two years to get the luxury lounge going Downtown and he believes it\u2019s going to pay off big with various types of people.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe see Striders appealing to four types of people: people who want to be on the horse races; locals who want a great neighborhood bar; people who want to watch sports \u2014 we have more than 150 TVs; and Convention Center visitors [because] we are the closest place for food and drink,\u201d Balderamos said.<\/p>\n Striders is the only place north of Tijuana and south of Del Mar where people can bet on the horses, and people will be able to so from 10 a.m. \u2013 6 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays.<\/p>\n When Del Mar isn\u2019t running, racing fans will be able to bet on the ponies at Santa Anita, Los Alamitos, Belmont, and even races outside the U.S.<\/p>\n \u201cIf people don\u2019t like driving that far to Del Mar, this is a good way to enjoy it,\u201d Balderamos said.<\/p>\n The project is getting the full support of Del Mar Track officials like Josh Rubinstein, the track\u2019s Chief Operating Officer.<\/p>\n \u201cThe California horse racing industry could not be more pleased with our newest mini-satellite wagering location at Striders,\u201d Rubinstein said. \u201cStriders will be a great way to keep the fun of horse racing going [when Del Mar isn\u2019t in season.]\u201d<\/p>\n The betting is confined to the second floor of the 8,200-square-foot club, which has a 360-degree view of the area.<\/p>\n Balderamos said that every effort is being made to make the experience enjoyable for both seasoned horse racing fans as well as newbies.<\/p>\n \u201cWe see it as a non-threatening, nice-looking place with a friendly staff,\u201d he said. \u201cEmployees will tell people the basics if they are unfamiliar with them.\u201d<\/p>\n Being able to place bets makes Striders different from other bars and restaurants in the area, but it\u2019s only one part of the package, Balderamos said. The goal is to make Striders as much of a food and drink destination as it should be for betting.<\/p>\n The menu, created by Executive Chef Rodrigo Campos, is seasonal and reinvents classic American dishes. Think mushroom po\u2019boy sandwiches or seared ahi sliders.<\/p>\n The cocktail menu includes unique drinks like a Caprese martini, made with vodka, tomato water and a skewer of mozzarella cheese.<\/p>\n Of course, it wouldn\u2019t be a San Diego bar without lots of local beer options.<\/p>\n Striders plans to feature a wide selection of local craft brews, but the lounge is taking the extra step of having award-winning craft brewer Mike Hess Brewing create its own signature suds, Striders Pale Ale.<\/p>\n \u201cBeer is key to locals and visitors,\u201d Balderamos said. \u201cPeople want to try them and why not? They\u2019re the best.\u201d<\/p>\n Striders is located at 100 Harbor Drive, and is open weeknights from 10 a.m. \u2013 10 p.m. and until 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. For more information, visit striders.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"image005webtop\"](\"https:\/\/sandiegodowntownnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/image005webtop.jpg\")
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