Happy birthday to one of my favorite NYers. I hope you and Pattie celebrate with a good steak and a drink or two.

Mister B and I are new here at Derby Trail. Myself, real, real new. He, not as new. He's the one that told me about this gathering place.

I don't know if he's told any of you how many years he's been going to Saratoga meets--but its A LOT. What's more important though, is where he goes, in the backyard every afternoon.

Since a toddler, he's been making a dash every morning at 6:30 a.m. to place a tablecloth and chairs at "his spot"--his picnic table, and his magic tree. It even has his and Pattie's initials carved in it. And its the place, where more tickets are probably cashed than ANYWHERE on Saratoga Racecourse property. That's why it's known as the Magic Tree.

We've had loads, and loads of fun there. And hope to have many more such afternoons.