Post by BlackWater on Oct 21, 2007 21:28:33 GMT -5
WOW!! What a GREAT weekend!
I got to Northfield Park just a little early on Friday, and since I hadn't been there in almost 40 years, I had a look around. A lot has changed, but a lot has remained the same from what I recall as a kid when Dad would bring me along for a night of racing. The memories came flooding back!
I found my way to the sports bar and found a table, kept my eyes peeled for anyone who might be someone I know from the board. I buried my head in the program, and not long after I heard someone call "Blackwater?".....
It was John and Loretta (Jay44224), and Longshot Mike. We grabbed beers, sat down at a table for a while and waited for more members to show.
After a while, it got close to post time, so we went downstairs and commandeered a couple of tables in the carrells for the night. It didn't take long before I knew I was in the presence of some AWESOME handicappers! I listened and learned, added a few comments and numbers here and there, and we played the first few races. During that time Keith Gisser stopped by and chatted with us for a while, then went back to his work...... every now and then we went out on the apron and joined him in conversation again.
Along about the fifth race or so Kangaroox (Phil) made his presence known, and he joined us in the carrels for the rest of the night. A few "regulars" at the track (but not board members) came along and joined us also. Kevin and I hit it off right away, and started playing races together - putting numbers and dollars together to make a profit at the windows. A small profit, but........
John and Loretta left around the 10th race, but the rest of us stayed till a little after the 13th capping and playing and just having fun! After the party broke up, Mike and I headed out the same door, still talking horses, and as we said good night, I mentioned, "watch that 5 horse in race 11 tomorrow night". I immediately felt kinda dumb telling a master capper like Longshot Mike something like that!
Saturday was yet another GREAT NIGHT!! (for the most part). We had arranged a back stretch tour with The Giss, meeting at 5:30. Pam and I got there about 5:35, and got to meet Moondog33 (Howard) and his wife Belinda (Bo). We waited a few more minutes, but then figured most of the rest that would be there that night were all too familiar with that area anyway. Keith took us around to the judges office and explained how things work there - how races are scheduled, etc. Then we visited the Clair Umholtz barn - I didn't realize till then how much I'd missed being in a horse barn, even though it's been only a few years since Dad sold the training complex he had built 20 years ago! We then proceeded around to the pool, the ship-in barn, the paddock, all the while with Keith filling us with information about what happens behind the track. Pam was thrilled seeing all the horses (especially with the new filly wearing her first harness), and with all the kitty-cats around everywhere! LOL!
We went from there directly to the clubhouse and John and Loretta were already at the table, and we had picked up Phil (Kangaroox) on our way up.We all picked our places, ordered drinks, and made sure all were acquianted while we waited for more people to show up. At that time I started passing around the $10 contest chart with mine and The Beleiver's picks on it. Keith put in his ten quickly before he had to get to work, then John, Howard, and Phil all added theirs.
Well, it was close to post time, and I was starving, and no one else had shown up yet so we all ordered dinner and got up to visit the windows for the first time that evening. We ate, watched, and played.........
John had 3 horses entered tonight - in the 3rd race, the #4 Explore came in 5th and got him a small check. In the 5th race, Pocket Vance N drew the dreaded eight hole and didn't do as well. But along came the 8th - I had John's 4 year old gelding Well Bet capped for third.......... there went another $25 or so in wagers............. we all went down to join John and Loretta in the winner's circle!! Congratulations to Jay44224 on a successful night at Northfield! BTW, Loretta later informed me that Well Bet was HER horse! LOL!
We had earlier decided to end the capping contest after the 10th race as it would be late and some might want to be leaving by that time. We tallied up the scores, and MOONDOG33 won the pot with an impressive 6 WINS out of ten races! A super job of capping for Howard that night! I would have second and third scores, but I absent-mindedly left the chart on the table.
It was then time for the 11th race - Mom's horse Pine Hill Jewel had the 5 hole, and I placed my bets - the #3 w/4567 tri, 346 ex box, and of course, my "Loyalty Bet" - $5win, $10PS on MY favorite, #5 Pine Hill Jewel, and ran down to the apron to watch the race after telling Pam, "If in the 1 in 100 chance she wins, come join me in the winner's circle"........ I went down and chatted with Keith until the race started.
The race went off well, and Elliot took her to second behind This Sand's Hot - a good spot for her to get on the ticket! She stayed right there up to the 3/4, but I still had high hopes that she would at least catch third. When she slid over into the passing lane and shot out ahead to win by 3/4 lengths, Keith jumped back when he heard me holler like I did!! WOW!! What a race!! I guess I don't feel so dumb now with Mike!
My sister called me from Mom and Dad's house to ask if I was there, and in the winner's circle........ I waited as long as I could for Pam to join me before I went and got my picture taken with PHJ and Elliot Deaton (they seem to be a GREAT team!). I quickly exited to see why Pam was not yet there. As it turns out, one of the race officials chased me down and said, "Mark? Your wife just fell on the steps - this way!"
I went to the steps to see Pam sitting there, the track nurse beside her, security all around............ I ran up to ask Loretta to sit with her while I took care of a few things ( I had to cash my PHJ bets!). By the time I got back, the med techs were there and getting her ready to go. I said a quick good bye to John and Loretta ( missed with Phil, Howard, and Bo) and followed the ambulance to the ER.
Pam apologized several times in the ER for cutting my evening short! As it turns out, she saved me from playing the late double, which I would have missed anyway!! After the races were over, John and Loretta showed up at the hospital to see how she was doing (what a wonderful couple they are!). Pam kept reminding me to get pictures that evening, but the only one we got was when we asked the nurse to get a pic of the four of us in the ER! LOL! I'll post that pic when I get time!
So there it is, folks! The First Annual Northfield Park Handicapper's Weekend may not have been a total success, but it was an extremely exciting and fun weekend for Pam, me and many others! We got to meet new friends and enjoy together the sport we all love, and take home some great memories! I am very much looking forward to next year's Handicapper's Weekend!
BW
I got to Northfield Park just a little early on Friday, and since I hadn't been there in almost 40 years, I had a look around. A lot has changed, but a lot has remained the same from what I recall as a kid when Dad would bring me along for a night of racing. The memories came flooding back!
I found my way to the sports bar and found a table, kept my eyes peeled for anyone who might be someone I know from the board. I buried my head in the program, and not long after I heard someone call "Blackwater?".....
It was John and Loretta (Jay44224), and Longshot Mike. We grabbed beers, sat down at a table for a while and waited for more members to show.
After a while, it got close to post time, so we went downstairs and commandeered a couple of tables in the carrells for the night. It didn't take long before I knew I was in the presence of some AWESOME handicappers! I listened and learned, added a few comments and numbers here and there, and we played the first few races. During that time Keith Gisser stopped by and chatted with us for a while, then went back to his work...... every now and then we went out on the apron and joined him in conversation again.
Along about the fifth race or so Kangaroox (Phil) made his presence known, and he joined us in the carrels for the rest of the night. A few "regulars" at the track (but not board members) came along and joined us also. Kevin and I hit it off right away, and started playing races together - putting numbers and dollars together to make a profit at the windows. A small profit, but........
John and Loretta left around the 10th race, but the rest of us stayed till a little after the 13th capping and playing and just having fun! After the party broke up, Mike and I headed out the same door, still talking horses, and as we said good night, I mentioned, "watch that 5 horse in race 11 tomorrow night". I immediately felt kinda dumb telling a master capper like Longshot Mike something like that!
Saturday was yet another GREAT NIGHT!! (for the most part). We had arranged a back stretch tour with The Giss, meeting at 5:30. Pam and I got there about 5:35, and got to meet Moondog33 (Howard) and his wife Belinda (Bo). We waited a few more minutes, but then figured most of the rest that would be there that night were all too familiar with that area anyway. Keith took us around to the judges office and explained how things work there - how races are scheduled, etc. Then we visited the Clair Umholtz barn - I didn't realize till then how much I'd missed being in a horse barn, even though it's been only a few years since Dad sold the training complex he had built 20 years ago! We then proceeded around to the pool, the ship-in barn, the paddock, all the while with Keith filling us with information about what happens behind the track. Pam was thrilled seeing all the horses (especially with the new filly wearing her first harness), and with all the kitty-cats around everywhere! LOL!
We went from there directly to the clubhouse and John and Loretta were already at the table, and we had picked up Phil (Kangaroox) on our way up.We all picked our places, ordered drinks, and made sure all were acquianted while we waited for more people to show up. At that time I started passing around the $10 contest chart with mine and The Beleiver's picks on it. Keith put in his ten quickly before he had to get to work, then John, Howard, and Phil all added theirs.
Well, it was close to post time, and I was starving, and no one else had shown up yet so we all ordered dinner and got up to visit the windows for the first time that evening. We ate, watched, and played.........
John had 3 horses entered tonight - in the 3rd race, the #4 Explore came in 5th and got him a small check. In the 5th race, Pocket Vance N drew the dreaded eight hole and didn't do as well. But along came the 8th - I had John's 4 year old gelding Well Bet capped for third.......... there went another $25 or so in wagers............. we all went down to join John and Loretta in the winner's circle!! Congratulations to Jay44224 on a successful night at Northfield! BTW, Loretta later informed me that Well Bet was HER horse! LOL!
We had earlier decided to end the capping contest after the 10th race as it would be late and some might want to be leaving by that time. We tallied up the scores, and MOONDOG33 won the pot with an impressive 6 WINS out of ten races! A super job of capping for Howard that night! I would have second and third scores, but I absent-mindedly left the chart on the table.
It was then time for the 11th race - Mom's horse Pine Hill Jewel had the 5 hole, and I placed my bets - the #3 w/4567 tri, 346 ex box, and of course, my "Loyalty Bet" - $5win, $10PS on MY favorite, #5 Pine Hill Jewel, and ran down to the apron to watch the race after telling Pam, "If in the 1 in 100 chance she wins, come join me in the winner's circle"........ I went down and chatted with Keith until the race started.
The race went off well, and Elliot took her to second behind This Sand's Hot - a good spot for her to get on the ticket! She stayed right there up to the 3/4, but I still had high hopes that she would at least catch third. When she slid over into the passing lane and shot out ahead to win by 3/4 lengths, Keith jumped back when he heard me holler like I did!! WOW!! What a race!! I guess I don't feel so dumb now with Mike!
My sister called me from Mom and Dad's house to ask if I was there, and in the winner's circle........ I waited as long as I could for Pam to join me before I went and got my picture taken with PHJ and Elliot Deaton (they seem to be a GREAT team!). I quickly exited to see why Pam was not yet there. As it turns out, one of the race officials chased me down and said, "Mark? Your wife just fell on the steps - this way!"
I went to the steps to see Pam sitting there, the track nurse beside her, security all around............ I ran up to ask Loretta to sit with her while I took care of a few things ( I had to cash my PHJ bets!). By the time I got back, the med techs were there and getting her ready to go. I said a quick good bye to John and Loretta ( missed with Phil, Howard, and Bo) and followed the ambulance to the ER.
Pam apologized several times in the ER for cutting my evening short! As it turns out, she saved me from playing the late double, which I would have missed anyway!! After the races were over, John and Loretta showed up at the hospital to see how she was doing (what a wonderful couple they are!). Pam kept reminding me to get pictures that evening, but the only one we got was when we asked the nurse to get a pic of the four of us in the ER! LOL! I'll post that pic when I get time!
So there it is, folks! The First Annual Northfield Park Handicapper's Weekend may not have been a total success, but it was an extremely exciting and fun weekend for Pam, me and many others! We got to meet new friends and enjoy together the sport we all love, and take home some great memories! I am very much looking forward to next year's Handicapper's Weekend!
BW