While Rubin of Average Horseplayer is at the Racing Symposium standing up for bloggers, and Alan of Left at the Gate is embarrassing turf writers everywhere with his prolific and hard hitting investigative news, and Patrick of Pulling Hair is digging up new content sources outside the MS(HR)M, I am in New York for three consequetive days of race trackery.
I have always heard that Aqueduct is a toilet; that it represents the worst of thoroughbred racing facilities. I'm here to say, it ain't so. I found the Big A warm, inviting and with plenty of ammenities. For one, it only costs $1 to get in. Then, another $1 to get to the swanky section upstairs.
On the upper level in one unheralded corner there are these high end sofas pointed at TVs. No, there is no additional charge to sit there, living room style, and enjoy the feed. I even fell asleep on one for in excess of twenty minutes and was left unmolested. As Alan has reported, the grandstand is closed, and ontrack attendence looked to be in the hundreds. Well, that just means more for me.
I only bet one race on the day.
I couldn't pass up the Don Rickles Stakes. Alas my top choice ran 2nd and the other half of my exacta box finished up the track. Even so, it was a great day at the track. And, can we give it up for the Don Rickles Stakes? In honor of Rickles, post your favorite insults in the comments section.
