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Wednesday, June 04, 2008

Early Bird (and the GM) Gets the Worm

- For any early birds out there planning on getting to Belmont early (gates open at 8:30 AM, not sure when the beer goes on sale), they'll be a "Backyard Adult Fun Area" which I don't believe will include throwing beer cans at people running on top of portable bathrooms. We're far too sophisticated for that shit here in NYC. Instead, they'll be a dunk tank, "bouncy boxing," and "gladiator jousting." Steve Crist, Watchmaker, and Dave Litfin will handicap the card at ten. If you just can't wait until the noon post time to start losing money, wagering on British racing, including the Epsom Derby, will be available starting at 9.

You might want to bring some headphones or ear plugs however, as they'll also be the cast of the Broadway musical Movin Out, which will be performing Billy Joel covers starting at ten. Talk about a buzz kill.

All of the details are available on NYRA's Belmont Stakes fact sheet (PDF file).

- Here are the post positions for the Belmont. The draw was conducted in relative secrecy, televised only on a local cable channel rather than the ESPN national telecasts we saw for the first two legs. Some are wondering why that is, but given the irrelevancy of the post positions for this particular race, it seems appropriate enough to me. Big Brown draws the rail.

- Talk about an executive rolling up his sleeves and getting down and dirty! The blur of a man trying to corral the loose horse pictured here is none other than Remington Park General Manager Scott Wells.

"As she went by, I thought, 'I have to grab this filly.' So, I grabbed hold of her, and she jerked me off my feet, and I looked very awkward there," he said. "But, we got her stopped, and she didn't get herself hurt, so she was none the worse for wear." [KOCO-TV]
Both horse and GM are fine; you gotta check out the full video here. I'd like to see Charlie Hayward do that!

15 Comments:

Anonymous said...

That's my man Alan here in OKC. Looks like he all most got his head kicked in. Byanose

Superfecta said...

They couldn't get someone from the cast of a show that's actually up for a Tony this year? That's a little lame.

Michael said...

"...I don't believe will include throwing beer cans at people running on top of portable bathrooms. We're far too sophisticated for that shit here in NYC."

Your loss -- says the guy who went to college three blocks from Churchill Downs.

Kelly said...

"...I don't believe will include throwing beer cans at people running on top of portable bathrooms. We're far too sophisticated for that shit here in NYC."

As a Baltimoron, I'm almost offended. And you left out the naked people. Boobies for EVERYONE at preakness! Hooray boobies!

El Angelo said...

Is it really a good idea to take up more space in the backyard with a concert?

Michael said...

Kelly -- we have free boobies in the Churchill Downs infield too, only you have to go to turn three... turn one is for "families."

Anonymous said...

I hope Bill Clinton shows up again this year. I always enjoy his antics with the models hanging in the upper level clubhouse bar.

Anonymous said...

Alan, I think I detected a typo in your post. I'm quite certain you meant to say drunk tank.

Anonymous said...

I'm making a left and heading straight for the drunk tank!

Anonymous said...

PP Draw was televised nationally (sort of) on ESPN NEWS.

I have a better chance of finding HRTV.

Anonymous said...

Anyone but me feel that Big Brown TC will be tainted if he beats the medication free Casino Drive, say by a neck?

Anonymous said...

Re:Anon ....tainted if he beats ...Casino Drive, say by a neck?

Your not alone but we'd be in the minority for sure. It would get overwhelmed with the training angle more than the drugs I think..."If they'd just trained him like Jazil or Rags or 'the American Way' he would have won it"
Whom I kidding, if he wins, he wins and no one will look back. Still if CD gets in the money, that dam will still have done something special...

Alan Mann said...

>>Still if CD gets in the money, that dam will still have done something special...

I think the dam has done something special just having three Belmont starters in a row.

Anonymous said...

Wow, I wish I could go to the Belmont this Saturday, sure sounds like fun, broadway, horses, drunk tanks, beer, wow.

I am from Northern Kentucky what can I say?
River Downs it shall be.

I am going to Churchill to see Curlin run, though, if he runs, he will won't he?

Alan Mann said...

>>I am going to Churchill to see Curlin run, though, if he runs, he will won't he?

Libby - Why do the River Downs races show up on the Thistledown entries as well? Never really understood that.

Yes, looks like Curlin will run in the Foster. He certainly won't be running in NY for the time being.