tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post2298158057174416203..comments2024-03-05T05:38:22.024-05:00Comments on Left at the Gate: The Head Chef has the Real Scoop on the ArcAlan Mannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12570505944559196118noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-84631751286830944722011-10-12T17:55:19.024-04:002011-10-12T17:55:19.024-04:00Yea, Now That's what's important,to report...Yea, Now That's what's important,to report on an event like the Arc; Hot french Chix, food and booze. Looked like a PARTY. That's rounding out some great reporting on the Arc. You guys make a great counterpoint team, Hope to see you again in delmar, PaulPaulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07490272742901848423noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-80948498041698633952011-10-12T08:39:47.050-04:002011-10-12T08:39:47.050-04:00My favorite Big Race Day story, Go For Gin's D...My favorite Big Race Day story, Go For Gin's Derby.<br /><br />Me and about ten buddies go to the Derby, no seats, infield mudfest. Most of my friends are content to enjoy the scenery and the atmosphere, I handicapped and wagered early, tried to pay attention as the races were run, had a great time despite losing.<br /><br />But I had one friend who treated it like a Wednesday at Belmont. Showed up with his lawn chair, cooler and a DRF and tried to seriously handicap. <br /><br />All day he whined about the long lines, got shut out a few times early, learned his leasson and basically spent the rest of the day on line (not on-line) handicapping as he waited. Only time I saw him was when I passed the windows on the way to the grandstand.<br /><br />We finally hook up before the big race, and sure enough he nails Go For Gin big!! I told you so blah blah blah, big laugh, dinners on me etc. <br /><br />He gets on line to collect, reaches into his pocket only to pull out a piece of soaked through illegible paper that was at one time a winning ticket. <br /><br />Spent the rest of the card trying to track down supervisors (on Derb Day) to cash the thing but the serial number could not be read and they declared it void. He laughs about it now but was steaming at the time.<br /><br />Lesson, enjoy the day.Figlessnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-57284573242251713622011-10-11T16:25:04.148-04:002011-10-11T16:25:04.148-04:00PS - I am strangely looking forward to Opening Day...PS - I am strangely looking forward to Opening Day at the Big A this year.....like Christmas morning, hope they did something, anything, to improve the racing side.Figlessnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-59041636315572712662011-10-11T16:23:29.333-04:002011-10-11T16:23:29.333-04:00Great job Deb, thanks for filling us in on the fin...Great job Deb, thanks for filling us in on the finer aspects of Longchamps.<br /><br />I maintain that BIG race days, the Derby, Belmont, Travers, Arc (if I am ever so lucky) are more about the experience rather than the gambling. Do your homework and make your bets early, then soak in the atmosphere. Stop and smell the roses.<br /><br />Breeders Cups attended live are unique, almost entirely knowledgable fans and industry participants, totally different vibe. Serious racing and serious gambling comfortably comingled, nothing like it.<br /><br />And then there is the Big A.<br /><br />Luckily for me I am comfortable in each environment.Figlessnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-79952325132621753402011-10-11T00:34:28.706-04:002011-10-11T00:34:28.706-04:00Not that I would turn food like that away, but it ...Not that I would turn food like that away, but it is hard to imagine serious handicapping and horseplaying with such wonderful distractions. This looks like the place for owners, visitors & tourists. <br /><br />For me, the ideal day at the track would be spent going between the grandstand and the paddock, hitting a nice superfecta, and then blowing some of it on good food and wine.steve in nchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04061356872686618093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-44894142978555186302011-10-10T23:09:11.180-04:002011-10-10T23:09:11.180-04:00Wow, very cool. Now it really would have been cool...Wow, very cool. Now it really would have been cool if you had gone in a horse drawn carriage to, maybe, run into the cast of Gigi.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com