The Topper
As you know, or should know, I made the journey to Baltimore for my first ever Preakness experience. Between me and Maryland is West Virginia and a ton of mountains and an even larger amount of absurdity. That really isn't for this venue - for me to discuss the 21 (if she was a day) year old girl with four kids from 8 years old down to diaper age flirting in front of the gas station, cussing at all her kids - to look cool (btw - that is no more cool than thinking smoking makes you look cool - cuss if you must - I do - but I do it for impact not attention - or to get laid), flirting with a boy that hadn't bathed EVER while her toothless 40+ (looking 70+) year old mother waited in the car. I won't go into that - and don't say to me "well that's all they have to do." She could have been home washing her hair and at least one of those things with legs. Why is it that West Virginia is so beautiful - until you get out of the car? Why also are they one of our poorest states yet gas prices are higher there than they are in Kentucky and Maryland? By about 20 cents or more. I'm sure the guy driving the Hummer over the river and through the woods - was not at all thrilled - but then he probably was - he drives a Hummer. For the first time ever I saw Mini Coopers on the Interstate, 2 of them. Weird. I don't know that I want to take a wind up toy as my travel case.
Having been to Baltimore and the are three times before - I wasn't like many - excited about crab cakes or crack houses. I was just excited about the Preakness. The friend that invited me set us up so nice in the Hilton BWI Airport hotel - the most pleasant stay ever. I would have been thrilled to stay in the room all weekend - that's how comforting it was to me. But Saturday a.m. I was up and dressed and ready to go before I realized the clock in the room was an hour fast. That is truly inconvenient and done by the previous inhabitant.
We walked to the train (I guess that's what they are called right?) and took a ride to the city. I saw where the Orioles play (and had Phil not told me - I would not know they are a Baseball team) - a beautiful stadium. I saw where the Ravens play (more birds - I guess the Colts are somewhere else? - in case you didn't noticed - I do not care about Football or Baseball.) Once we got off the train - we boarded a bus. I might add that our co-passengers carried coolers, cases of beer and the preparation for later stankness. We then took the bus to Pimlico - in the heart of a pretty much empty neighborhood. What I saw was mostly boarded up brick buildings and then bam - a grandstand that reminded me of The Downs at Albuquerque or Ruidoso Downs or the long gone Downs at Santa Fe. Not a top of the line grandstand - but what I got for the day was a top of the line outstanding day.
We never once had to see a freak from PETA (or any other flat bread) while we were there. They clearly were unimportant to the fans. They were less important (all two dozen if they were lucky) than the people Preaching against gambling and drinking. People stood to listen to those people talk - because they knew what they were talking about - and had a true message. One of them carried a sign (got this from espn.com) that read "wanna bet another horse dies today." By the way - whose racing photos are they using in their signs? Maybe someone should send them an invoice. The PETArds (a non-politically correct term of affection) were basically mute. I like that.
Our seats were about 20 feet from the track and maybe a sixteenth of a mile from the finish line. Then a lady asked if we minded trading with their family members so they could all sit together. She pointed to where they were sitting - about 8 rows up - putting us about 5 feet from the track. It was a no brainer. We moved.
The sun was out and it was a glorious day. For what Pimlico lacked in star equine names - they more than made up for with good racing and a hell of an entertainment venue. I'm used to Churchill having to make sure I make my bet for the next race two races in advance so that I don't end up getting shut out (sometimes it's ok not to make your bet if you bet like me). Pimlico, which had around 112,000 people (down from 121,000+ last year - so Big Brown isn't pulling the people - or did Eight Belles keep them away? or is it because of the cost to go anywhere?) , I was told, in attendance never made me wait in a long line. I could bet 3-5 minutes before each race. I did not wait in long lines for drinking (though they were longer) and I did not wait in long lines for releasing the drinks I had (don't know how that went for the women - you all waste more time in there). I will say the men's room urinals were too close together - we are talking maybe jockeys could stand and not be in someone else's personal space in a very personal moment.
Race after race I enjoyed myself immensely. Made some new friends - lost some old money. It was outstanding. When it came time for UPS to deliver - they did. Pre-big race - I saw Navy Seals drop from the sky to land on the turf course. I saw the Budweiser Clydesdales and I saw a Stealth Bomber - for the first time as it nearly clipped a banner for some Real Estate company (probably Remax) or some other business. There was live music in the infield - but I didn't have to see the infield because they had the "tents" set up to block it. So I still felt like I was at the track.
The highlight of the day was well worth all the hype. Big Brown made a mockery of his field while I cheered on Macho Again. When he came back from the race he looked less winded than me after a day of drinking and gambling and beating my hands as I cheered on numerous losers (I did have some winners). Big Brown was impressive.
But that wasn't the topper of the day. No it wasn't my socially and politically incorrect veal t-bone at Ruth's Chris Steakhouse or even the Sweet Potato casserole on the side (oh my gosh that was a great meal). It wasn't the hotel room or the liquor. It was watching horse race after horse race cheering on something that has been a part of my life since before I was born (have a win picture of my Dad, older sister and my Mom - pregnant with me in the Winner's Circle) and not a single horse was pulled up or vanned off - and we were even on a dirt surface. Wow!
Belmont anyone?
Having been to Baltimore and the are three times before - I wasn't like many - excited about crab cakes or crack houses. I was just excited about the Preakness. The friend that invited me set us up so nice in the Hilton BWI Airport hotel - the most pleasant stay ever. I would have been thrilled to stay in the room all weekend - that's how comforting it was to me. But Saturday a.m. I was up and dressed and ready to go before I realized the clock in the room was an hour fast. That is truly inconvenient and done by the previous inhabitant.
We walked to the train (I guess that's what they are called right?) and took a ride to the city. I saw where the Orioles play (and had Phil not told me - I would not know they are a Baseball team) - a beautiful stadium. I saw where the Ravens play (more birds - I guess the Colts are somewhere else? - in case you didn't noticed - I do not care about Football or Baseball.) Once we got off the train - we boarded a bus. I might add that our co-passengers carried coolers, cases of beer and the preparation for later stankness. We then took the bus to Pimlico - in the heart of a pretty much empty neighborhood. What I saw was mostly boarded up brick buildings and then bam - a grandstand that reminded me of The Downs at Albuquerque or Ruidoso Downs or the long gone Downs at Santa Fe. Not a top of the line grandstand - but what I got for the day was a top of the line outstanding day.
We never once had to see a freak from PETA (or any other flat bread) while we were there. They clearly were unimportant to the fans. They were less important (all two dozen if they were lucky) than the people Preaching against gambling and drinking. People stood to listen to those people talk - because they knew what they were talking about - and had a true message. One of them carried a sign (got this from espn.com) that read "wanna bet another horse dies today." By the way - whose racing photos are they using in their signs? Maybe someone should send them an invoice. The PETArds (a non-politically correct term of affection) were basically mute. I like that.
Our seats were about 20 feet from the track and maybe a sixteenth of a mile from the finish line. Then a lady asked if we minded trading with their family members so they could all sit together. She pointed to where they were sitting - about 8 rows up - putting us about 5 feet from the track. It was a no brainer. We moved.
The sun was out and it was a glorious day. For what Pimlico lacked in star equine names - they more than made up for with good racing and a hell of an entertainment venue. I'm used to Churchill having to make sure I make my bet for the next race two races in advance so that I don't end up getting shut out (sometimes it's ok not to make your bet if you bet like me). Pimlico, which had around 112,000 people (down from 121,000+ last year - so Big Brown isn't pulling the people - or did Eight Belles keep them away? or is it because of the cost to go anywhere?) , I was told, in attendance never made me wait in a long line. I could bet 3-5 minutes before each race. I did not wait in long lines for drinking (though they were longer) and I did not wait in long lines for releasing the drinks I had (don't know how that went for the women - you all waste more time in there). I will say the men's room urinals were too close together - we are talking maybe jockeys could stand and not be in someone else's personal space in a very personal moment.
Race after race I enjoyed myself immensely. Made some new friends - lost some old money. It was outstanding. When it came time for UPS to deliver - they did. Pre-big race - I saw Navy Seals drop from the sky to land on the turf course. I saw the Budweiser Clydesdales and I saw a Stealth Bomber - for the first time as it nearly clipped a banner for some Real Estate company (probably Remax) or some other business. There was live music in the infield - but I didn't have to see the infield because they had the "tents" set up to block it. So I still felt like I was at the track.
The highlight of the day was well worth all the hype. Big Brown made a mockery of his field while I cheered on Macho Again. When he came back from the race he looked less winded than me after a day of drinking and gambling and beating my hands as I cheered on numerous losers (I did have some winners). Big Brown was impressive.
But that wasn't the topper of the day. No it wasn't my socially and politically incorrect veal t-bone at Ruth's Chris Steakhouse or even the Sweet Potato casserole on the side (oh my gosh that was a great meal). It wasn't the hotel room or the liquor. It was watching horse race after horse race cheering on something that has been a part of my life since before I was born (have a win picture of my Dad, older sister and my Mom - pregnant with me in the Winner's Circle) and not a single horse was pulled up or vanned off - and we were even on a dirt surface. Wow!
Belmont anyone?
Trackbacks
-
6/12/2008 5:59 PM
Loving The Race Horse wrote:
I was reminded today of where I started while watching Quarter Horse racing at Ruidoso Downs, NM on TVG. I took a moment to sit back and just enjoy the sheer power and speed of Quarter Horse racing. It maybe over quick - but it's an amazing test of horse flesh. You know from the last paragraph in The Topper entry that I have been severely into this business since before I was born. (if not - go read that paragraph and come back.) All I ever wanted as a kid was to win a horse race. For many years ...
good job! glad you got to Hi Ho Pimlico, though it sure is in near shambles. Really glad you had a glorious day, because it is some kind of miserable in the rain!
Reply to this
I am so happy and grateful to know such a knowledgeable and kind man.
gwenda
Reply to this
Hi Billy! Out of respect for you moving on from the PETA problem, I have held off from commenting on this upbeat blog. Forgive me, I am too busy in the trenches trying to counter them in every way I can. "Loving The Race Horse" is a great pro-industry way to silence the critics. We are so lucky to live in this country that can offer American race horses a level of care rarely equalled in the rest of the world. As horsemen move into further improving our industry, I hope that they include the optimism they feel for better things yet to come. I hope that with their complaints that they also list the advances and research from our vets, unbiased racing surface researchers, pedigree experts, ect. Because one way to Love Our Race Horses is to defend our very right to protect, race and own them by virtue of how much we can offer them in quality care and LOVE. Anyone who does not believe that a majority of horsemen are wonderful people has never been on a racetrack.
I look forward to reading about a trip that you might be making to Belmont??? Another Triple Crown winner is just what racing needs right now. Oh, I just have to put in one last jab at PETA- Somewhere a creative counter protester should have a big sign combining Big Brown's name and PETA kissing. Along with the PetaKillsAnimals.org sign of course!
Reply to this