tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post7445301068194547724..comments2024-03-05T05:38:22.024-05:00Comments on Left at the Gate: Now What?Alan Mannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12570505944559196118noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-36124917736246697422015-06-19T11:34:47.717-04:002015-06-19T11:34:47.717-04:00Society is morally flawed and corrupt, and sports ...Society is morally flawed and corrupt, and sports mirror society.Figlessnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-43643634963750627362015-06-18T11:01:15.592-04:002015-06-18T11:01:15.592-04:00Anon- What sport or anything now a days is not fl...Anon- What sport or anything now a days is not flawed and morally corrupt? I can't name one. Dannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-77885863201484382802015-06-16T13:01:11.656-04:002015-06-16T13:01:11.656-04:00"Now, perhaps you find it distasteful for me ..."Now, perhaps you find it distasteful for me to be trivializing these things"<br />What, the lives of innocent animals like horses, cows and pigs? NOT AT ALL...You know, is it all possible that you fell in love with a deeply flawed and morally corrupt sport and it's OK to admit that and no longer be a fan of it? People can evolve. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-10486356487085960912015-06-13T14:02:03.314-04:002015-06-13T14:02:03.314-04:00Thanks everyone, appreciate it! You haven't h...Thanks everyone, appreciate it! You haven't heard the last from me, but where/when and in what context, can't quite say for sure right now.Alan Mannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12570505944559196118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-28659801938634582632015-06-13T13:15:23.344-04:002015-06-13T13:15:23.344-04:00When I leave Madison Square Garden I don't hol...When I leave Madison Square Garden I don't hold MSG responsible if the LIRR platform down below is overcrowded. I judge my customer experience by the time I spend at the venue, not the transportation. Maybe its just me.Figlessnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-74981402723074739912015-06-12T15:55:22.988-04:002015-06-12T15:55:22.988-04:00I will not give the NYRA CEO a pass on the train s...I will not give the NYRA CEO a pass on the train service. It is an area where he can improve the customer experience he claims to be so concerned about when he is not busy cashing 6 figure bonus checks.jknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-21108187132274833432015-06-12T15:15:57.026-04:002015-06-12T15:15:57.026-04:00Sorry In year 2014 not year 2015.Sorry In year 2014 not year 2015.Dannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-22185120235513572482015-06-12T15:15:17.557-04:002015-06-12T15:15:17.557-04:00Yes, Alan should post something even if its once a...Yes, Alan should post something even if its once a month. Always enjoyed seeing a new post. <br /><br />I did see an article online from the Times Union that said Tom Durkin made over $400K in year 2015. Was that more than the CEO last year? That seems high plus he only worked a few months last year for NYRA- April-August. FYI- I always enjoyed his calls & see it made him a good living.Dannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-60783580585340865872015-06-12T12:48:07.856-04:002015-06-12T12:48:07.856-04:00PS Alan if you decide to stay away for good just w...PS Alan if you decide to stay away for good just want to concur with the above that really, really, enjoyed the blog. I hope you remain, or at least find another forum for your excellent writing skills.Figlessnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-56768287650456715242015-06-12T12:45:05.352-04:002015-06-12T12:45:05.352-04:00jk I think blaming NYRA for the train overload is ...jk I think blaming NYRA for the train overload is a bit rough, once the patrons exit the park and enter the LIRR station responsibility is with the agency. When 40k people arrive by train, staggered during the day, then leave all at once, its a tough situation. The Super Bowl was a disaster despite much planning. Its going to be crowded. <br /><br />Alternately you can walk to the Floral Park station or Queens Village station as two of my friends did, no worries.<br /><br />Same thing with the rest rooms. Long lines upstairs, much quicker to go down to the porto potties which at that point were actually cleaner and had little to no lines all day.<br /><br />There really is no good answer to either problem, except limiting the crowd size even further.Figlessnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-52555174049970160842015-06-12T12:39:11.209-04:002015-06-12T12:39:11.209-04:00Dan, and yes I was thinking poor Tom Durkin as wel...Dan, and yes I was thinking poor Tom Durkin as well would have loved to have heard his call.Figlessnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-70806778463507603592015-06-12T12:37:59.551-04:002015-06-12T12:37:59.551-04:00Dan thanks its a complicated situation, some of th...Dan thanks its a complicated situation, some of these folks have helped me find homes for horses and I do support their causes but not as passionately. It seems, not just on my page, but in life lately, passion for a cause sometimes trumps civility. But at some point I will cut bait with them.Figlessnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-55418850550707040352015-06-12T12:30:38.962-04:002015-06-12T12:30:38.962-04:00Figless,
Way to many people on social media have ...Figless,<br /><br />Way to many people on social media have their agendas. If someone posted an animal rights story or video on my facebook page I would remove them as a "friend". I do understand why some people are not using facebook anymore. I like to see how old high school buddies are doing but don't care about their political agendas. It gets old really fast. Dannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-33283901210139916842015-06-12T08:31:40.885-04:002015-06-12T08:31:40.885-04:00As for my Belmont experience except for the aforem...As for my Belmont experience except for the aforementioned rest room issues, which are never going away as long as 50% of the attendees are female in an old building not designed for that scenario, I had a great time. It might be helpful to post someone there, or put a simple sign up, that portable rest rooms are available in the back yard, because by the 3rd race the porto potty option was more attractive than the regular rest room.<br /><br />My lone (other) complaint was the usual inability of the day hired "ushers" who couldn't be bothered to take their eyes off their technology long enough to verify tickets, especially at the end of the grandstand where the LIRR commuters entered the track. Almost every one of them, I presume presuming General Admission included a seat, made an immediate left for a picture taking session and grabbed an empty seat.<br /><br />To NYRA's credit by the 7th race they had reinforced the overwhelmed "ushers" with supervisors and it really wasn't that bad from that point forward.<br /><br />The point being that if you are going to charge major league sporting event prices for a seat, the patron should not have to be removing freeloaders from that seat all day long, much less be slept on by a drunk frat boys in shorts, bow ties, and fedoras.<br /><br />But refreshments remained available all day and the LIRR line immediately following the race did not seem as bad as prior years. <br /><br />I missed last year but folks that attended both years told me the experience was much better this year including the traffic which seemed to be handled better as well.<br /><br /><br /><br />Figlessnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-16021124623747994002015-06-12T08:20:26.793-04:002015-06-12T08:20:26.793-04:00I experienced a similar feeling about social media...I experienced a similar feeling about social media. <br /><br />The Belmont was one of the most exciting moments in my sports fan life, and the ethicists essentially censored me from posting about it on my Facebook. I have "friended", and try to support, a number of animal (mostly horse) rescue folk over the year, some which are good "real" friends, and IF I posted that I attended the Belmont my page would have been berated with anti horse racing comments (and horrible videos). Worse, when my mare gave birth to the 2018 Acorn winner, I could not even post a picture unless I first "unfriend" all these people, which would be easier if we weren't "real" friends with some of them. So I am forced into the social media shadows almost living a double life.<br /><br />I have written before that anyone involved in this "sport/game" is by definition a hypocrite if they claim to love horses. I acknowledge my hypocrisy but for all the reasons you state I have learned to live with it, contribute what I can when I can, and try my best to find good homes for the horse I bring into this world as a small time breeder.<br /><br />Ultimately fault can be found with any endeavor and I am not going to spend my short time on this planet being overly concerned with things that are out of my control. Some wish to play the martyr roll, and I commend them but I am just too selfish I suppose in wanting to enjoy the time I have left.Figlessnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-69867433276263390132015-06-11T16:16:00.529-04:002015-06-11T16:16:00.529-04:00Alan,
I always enjoy your blogs. I enjoyed watch...Alan,<br /><br />I always enjoy your blogs. I enjoyed watching the Belmont Stakes. I was thinking about Tom Durkin. I was waiting for someone online to say "Durkin" was cursed. I tell my wife that it was good the internet was not around when we grew up. It must be tough for kids with facebook/twitter. Everyone has an opinion these days & it was nice not knowing all this stuff when I was a kid.<br /><br />Hopefully Delmar gets you back in the game. Just go out & enjoy & don't get caught up with all the BS of the world. When I go to the track that is my 4 + hours of peace from the outside world. <br />Be good Alan & may the horse be with you.Dannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-30108814043750411912015-06-10T15:49:09.700-04:002015-06-10T15:49:09.700-04:00Thanks for sharing Alan. You are going out on top!...Thanks for sharing Alan. You are going out on top! Thanks for all of the information and entertainment you have provided us over the years! You are the Secretariat of horse racing reporting/blogging, leaving the Times, DRF, Paulick etc in your wake.<br /><br />I wonder if Tom Durkin wishes he stayed on for another year?<br /><br />I was at the track for the Belmont did not get too excited over the triple crown. I enjoyed it more when the horse loses the third leg for some reason. My participation in the sport is way down to 1-2 days/year. <br /><br />I will throw a little cold water on the handling of the crowd, specifically the LIRR ride home. If you had a seat it was fine, standing room was brutal. Cars were packed to maximum standing room capacity, beyond anything you would experience during rush hour on the subway. Yes Chris Kay you were able to move more people out faster by dangerously overcrowding the trains, congrats on another job well done!<br /><br /> jknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-34610016698681001962015-06-10T15:04:30.126-04:002015-06-10T15:04:30.126-04:00That was great. Much like the modern Thoroughbred,...That was great. Much like the modern Thoroughbred, you apparently fire your best with plenty of time between efforts. Disagree with one thing, though. AP's effort in The Belmont, for me, failed to impress. He might have come home faster than Affirmed and Alydar, but he was always clear and didn't have to throw in a 23.2 fourth quarter. In fact, I would venture, it's been a long time since a Triple Crown winner didn't have to run a sub 24 meaningful quarter. Anyway, don't let the idiocy get you down. kylenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-26937977090949500492015-06-09T23:57:27.311-04:002015-06-09T23:57:27.311-04:00"As for me and my current status as a horsera..."As for me and my current status as a horseracing fan, bettor, and blogger (and if you care).....the truth is that I haven't been much into the racing game of late, for reasons both professional and personal.I went to Belmont a few weeks ago; it was the first time I'd been to a racetrack since last September, some eight months prior;I was actually hoping that there, a spark would light and I would rediscover the joy that made me a regular railbird for some or so years.But, alas, it was not to be. <br />[skip...]<br />... However, it's also largely due to the internet and social media that that kind of perverse joy is gone, in my opinion...."<br /><br />Oh, Alan. I feel your pain! You might note that I've not posted on my blog for years - and my tweets are pretty far between. One reason: Mountie, my dear MNR, continues to feel shabbier, much like your description of Belmont. It's been months since I visited. It's just too darn depressing, since they modified (badly) the indoor live racing space to fill it with apparently unused table games options. It's been at least two years since I last attended the WV Derby - the King (who is our long range driver) refuses to go to the West VA Derby since it's so uncomfortable. The last year we went, they ran out of Derby glasses two hours before the first race! <br /><br />Meanwhile, re:social media, the folks I follow on social media seem to have all turned professional, leaving this casual, amateur fan feeling somewhat inadequate in my woefully uninformed observations. I used to enjoy gushing about unsung "heroes" and the small joys of racing at small tracks. Now, I'm sure that my amateur love of the game would be mocked at every turn. Twitter has no mercy. <br /><br />Is it that we're older, and no longer the target audience of ABR et al? Everyone laments that track-goers are aging, and are seeking the new fans. And yet, it seems to me that we seasoned folks wager more actual dollars. It's kind of like they want to increase their on-track business without doing a thing. For example, MNR has fewer seats for racing (I'm counting indoor seats with access to the paddock) but they want to draw bigger crowds for big race days? How does that work? <br /><br />In summation: glad to hear it's not just me. But sad to think that I am still wagering on my BC13 winnings. (Remember: I'm not that good.)<br />QQhttp://turfluck.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-191646520734551922015-06-09T23:45:22.760-04:002015-06-09T23:45:22.760-04:00Agreed. I feel that way about lots of things in hu...Agreed. I feel that way about lots of things in human society these days. It seems whatever institutions one looks halfway closely at look really overripe, decadent, and function in a stupidly self-destructive way. Being with the kids and focusing on relationships helps a lot.<br /><br />And for me, the game is still a nice escape from the other more important things with all their warts approaching the point of malignant tumors. If racing were my job, well, it would be my job, not an escape, so I'm not surprised to hear the way you're experiencing it.<br /><br />It isn't concern about animal treatment that makes me complain about the high level of legal and impermissible drugs given the horses, although I do worry about danger to jocks from horse breakdowns. I hate the drugs because certain trainers make it harder for me to handicap (Dutrow wasn't a problem for me - I found him more predictable than certain others still in the game). <br /><br />Having Rudy R and Jacobson dominate NYRA on top of small fields means that if NYRA is your primary racing experience, I agree, mostly it isn't much fun. I rarely bother with NYRA anymore, although I'll give Saratoga a try.<br /><br />The issue for horseplayers worse than doping is that the sport won't unite to limit the number of race days and structure the racing calendar to force larger and more competitive fields at all levels of ability. No other sport is so blind to modern realities and to its own health.<br /><br />But I don't carp about it too often anymore. Instead I shop for the tracks that tend to have larger, decent fields with fewer supertrainers. And mostly handicapping is still fun. <br /><br />I miss your blogging, Alan, but don't do it if it's not fun. Look at those daughters of yours, follow their example and find what's fun. I hope that turns out to be horseplaying again - may the horse return to you!Steve in NChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13112102814276786653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-33587507620551327892015-06-09T17:21:28.367-04:002015-06-09T17:21:28.367-04:00This was a really enjoyable read. I feel you!This was a really enjoyable read. I feel you!Artax57https://www.blogger.com/profile/14497611860367289957noreply@blogger.com