Friday, November 20, 2009
Love at the Racetrack
SARATOGA SPRINGS, November 19, 2009--The first thing I do each morning after opening e-mail is to visit Equidaily.com--which I’m sure gives its creator and webmaster, Seth Merrow, goose bumps.
Actually, for racing fans, bettors, and racetrack industry types, it should be everybody’s way to start their Internet day. (Next stop is HRI, of course).
Aside from keeping up with racing news via Equidaily’s headline format, it’s a great source for blog and column material. Writers can add, subtract, agree or disagree with stories written by colleagues or independent bloggers.
In doing that this morning, and feeling a bit whimsical, the first story I clicked on was from what appears to be a free-lance travel scribe, who wrote a piece for the http://www.examiner.com of New York.
When in the mood, Seth can be playfully cheeky. So, this morning, he sucked me right in to reading a story he introduced with, “Love is in the air,” before adding, “[sniff sniff] geez, is that love?!?” Well, don’t sat I didn’t warn you about Merrow.
Anyhow, the rest of the Equidaily teaser headline went: “Golden Gate Fields is the last horse racing venue in the Bay Area and a perfect place for a romantic date.”
What?!?
The following is a sampling of some of what author Karla Erovick wrote for the SF Romance Travel Examiner, begging two questions: “Do you actually get paid for this kind of work and where do I sign?” (To any potential boss, for this I’ll work cheap).
The trailing commentary is Erovick’s. The reaction and italics are mine:
“…[Golden Gate Fields] is one of the best entertainment deals in town. The amount of enjoyment that you can have for the cost of a movie ticket is unsurpassed. Arrive before post time of the first race. As the day wears on the attendance increases, so does the enthusiasm of the fans…” [Hey Erovick, ever been to Aqueduct in February?]
“…If you want to impress your date and hot-dogs and beer won’t do.. make a reservation at the Turf Club.. Each table has a small television to better watch both live and simulcast racing…” [But a visit to Equestris Restaurant high atop the Big A would ease some of that bracing chill from Jamaica Bay].
“…Contrary to public perception, horse racing isn’t the seedy environment that many people think. This is safe, clean and suitable for families. In fact, many families spend an afternoon at the races as their form of recreation. One of the few instances where the athletes pay the fans…” [Never heard it put that way; good point].
“…The horses are brought from the stables to the paddock prior to the race. Regardless of whether you are placing bets, take a look at the horses. Which ones look like they can win the race? An experienced viewer can learn a lot from the horse behavior while in the paddock…” [Postman worked in forty-eight, goin’ to the races, goin’ to the races now].
“…Depending on where you have chosen to view the race, watch at least one race track-side. It is fascinating to be so close to the action. For information on placing bets refer to the program guide [or] ask one of the fans…” [If doing so in New York, wait until you get to Saratoga].
“…Unless you are going to the turf club for one of the Kentucky Derby races…” [OK, she’s a novice, so cut her some slack, and anyone who thinks they can find romance at the racetrack is cool with me!]
“…There is no need to wear your fancy hat and ensemble. These days the races are casual and most people wear jeans or “smart casual” dress…” [If fancy hat and ensemble are your thing, wait until you get to Saratoga].
“…After a day at the races, you are certain to have learned a little about the track, horses and the people who love horse racing and had a whole lot of fun, not to mention scoring some points for romance…” [That works for me…].
There was this smokin’ hot co-ed at St. Johns, my alma mater. (You could say that back then and it would be taken as a compliment, not sexist misogyny).
I figured I’d impress the hell out of her so on our first date I took her to “the world famous Copacabana” to see Bobby Darin, who was in his blue jeans “If I Were a Carpenter” phase. An enormous talent.
[Sat at a table next to Donnie Burks, the talented St. Johns two-guard who was now a cast member in the Broadway musical “Hair.” He introduced us to the female lead, a singer actress named Melba Moore. More cool points for me].
That Friday night went so well that I asked if she would like me to pick her up for lunch the next day. She agreed. (My metallic gold Mercury Marquis was pretty cool, too). “Where're we going?” she asked as she slipped into my ersatz Lincoln Continental. “It’s a surprise,” I said.
Per usual, the Belt Parkway was a mess that day, and we missed the daily double at the Big A. But I introduced her to some friends, we ate clams on the half shell and had some of that famous Harry M. Stevens clam chowder, and actually picked four of the remaining eight races on the card. Eddie Belmonte rode two or three of them.
My date picked a winner, too: “I like the name Oglethorpe,” she said, “James Oglethorpe was a settler who founded a colony for debtors in Georgia.” She bet her money and, damn, if that horse didn’t win! Paid about $18.00, as I recall. She was ecstatic. I was in like a porch climber.
That night, we celebrated dinner at chic restaurant. It was adjunct to a radio station right alongside the Long Island Expressway; don’t remember the call letters.
A year later we were married and, so far, it’s lasted 40 years.
“Hey, Toni, remember what Oglethorpe paid?
Written by John Pricci
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