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Originally Posted by Kasept
With apologies to Garrison Keilor, "It hasn't been a quiet week here in Lake Wobegon..."
Saturday marks the one year anniversary of throwing the switch on the free-standing URL version of Derby Trail, as well as the third start for Dee Tee Stables' Sumwonlovesyou. The confluence of these events, and the pride I have in both, means a great deal to me.
Wednesday of course, we saw Mike (Bigsmc) and Tom (Scavs) touch of a celebration with there outrageous success in the Hollywood P6 carryover. Their scores were shared with every Derby Trailer who utilize their good fortune as inspiration for their own ultimate big hits at the windows. We saw Tom go from being ready to quit wagering days earlier, to one of horseplaying most satisfying personal moments.
The pleasure that the 1,000+ assembled here take in gathering at Derby Trail to share our common interest in racing and collective knowledge is part of something that is intensely valuable to the game. While racing may have lost its' grip on traditional media, the internet especially presents a chance for new growth, new fans and a brighter future.
Our ability to share information and reflect on our racetrack-related, nee life, experiences, can only serve to positively impact racing 'fandom'. In addition, the real-life friendships growing out of DT as a gathering place helps fuel track outings and wagering, as a side benefit of making new friends. The Dee Tee Stable experience goes hand-in-hand with that as well, as dozens travel to venues, and hundreds more enjoy the starts of Sumwon vicariously with the hopes of joining in next time.
I'd go on extensively, but have to make a 6:40 flight to Louisville from Lauderdale... But I have to take the opportunity to thank everyone that has made DT an important part of their daily lives and provided me with more of a career in racing journalism than I ever thought possible. When I began Derby Trail in 2003, it was simply a way for me to express my love for racing. What has organically grown from there, is a tribute to those who love racing as much as I do. And again, while I regularly receive gracious compliments for what goes on here, none of it would be possible without the membership base that is making Derby Trail what it is. So again, you have my heartfelt and unending thanks for being here.
Enjoy Sumwon's race today, and thanks for making this first year at DT so special in so many ways...
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