tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post7649222151306681795..comments2024-03-05T05:38:22.024-05:00Comments on Left at the Gate: Notes - August 29Alan Mannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12570505944559196118noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-86888738937387341132007-08-31T08:05:00.000-04:002007-08-31T08:05:00.000-04:00The "Spa" is like the old grey mare. She ain't wh...The "Spa" is like the old grey mare. She ain't what she used to be.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-57913460194778870912007-08-30T13:45:00.000-04:002007-08-30T13:45:00.000-04:00Alan, it was quite typical of horses to race 2 and...Alan, it was quite typical of horses to race 2 and even 3 times during the old 4 week Spa meet. I think the lower number of repeat runners these days is, in part at least, due to the much greater demand for stalls and racing at the Spa by a wide variety of horses who qualify for races with many different conditions, thus the turf sprints we all love?/hate and the NY breds which were largely non-existent during the 4 week meet era. And I'm sure P.J. Campo hears "I didn't ship my string up here to keep 'em all in the barn for 36 days" often enough so he cards races to fit the available inventory to keep the "customers" happy. I have a pal, a retired airline pilot, who I brought over last week-end for the Travers as a first time visitor and who now tells me he's hooked on the Spa, is putting the house on the market, and making the move to the Spa in time for next season! It's amazing what that place does to some people, me included! /S/ Green Mtn PunterAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com