Lean times? Empty pockets?  You may be surprised at all the free, or close-to-free, fun available at the Downs!

FREE PARKING AND ADMISSION:  Yes, always free.  And the Downs is open every day (except Christmas) from 9 a.m. to 2 a.m.

Play free poker Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays

20-CENT BETS:  There's a 20-cent bet called a superfecta where you predict horses you think will finish in the top four.  Five bets will cost you just $1.  And you could win hundreds--even thousands--of dollars!

MOLSON COORS FREEROLL POKER:  It's doesn't cost you a cent to play Texas hold 'em poker after the races Friday and Saturday (about 10:30 p.m.) and on Sundays at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m.  Just show up.  Everybody gets to play.  Top player wins $50 and gets $5,000 in extra chips at the finale that will sent someone to Las Vegas to participate in a major poker tournament.

PETTING FARM, PONY RIDES:  On holidays and select Sundays, a barnyard of strange and not so strange animals will be trotted out at the petting farm south of the grandstand.  Kids get to ride a pony free and jump around in the inflatable gym and other free fun.

LEARN BETTING SECRETS:  Even if you don't plan to bet, why not take in a free how-to-bet session before races begin? Then you'll be ready to MAKE money the next time you're at the track. Come to Ivan Bigg's "learn the secrets" stage just inside the main entrance 30 minutes before the races begin.

BONUS FUN IN THE VLT LOUNGE:  Even if you're playing a nickel at the VLTs in the casino-style VLT lounge in the Clubhouse, you still have a chance to win extra cash up to $100 in wacky games throughout the month.  See the calendar of bonus fun here.