Pleasanton Fair....Alameda....packed yesterday

[westcoastinvader]

One of those signs there are still fans of live racing in the right circumstance. Yesterday was nearly standing room only at the Pleasanton track. Betting lines with a live teller were about 20 deep all day. Lines for beer were even longer. It was nearly impossible to find a place to stand on the vast track apron.

All programs and forms were gone by the 4th race. I know, since that's when I walked in and realized I'd have to resort largely to whatever paddock watching skills I like to think I have to determine my wagers (one of my faves is giving a close look to any horse that has owner and trainer present in the paddock).


Les Onaka is giving the seminar outside the grandstand at 11:15 this morning. Not sure I'll make it, but it's a nice venue under the trees. I caught Russell Baze in a seminar and Q&A there two seasons ago and it was a good experience with about 35 people in attendance. That's when Russell offered that he studies the form for each race he rides, but only in the time just before the race so he doesn't clutter his mind with details about anything other than what he is about to ride.

[pba1817]

Don't worry, starting tomorrow, it will be empty the rest of their meet, along with all other fair meets...

[DerbyCat]

I went today, decent sized crowd but not too big (shorter lines for beer) - 12 races made for a long day. For me the treat was watching Nopie's younger brother run (a full brother named He's The Pitz - he has the white "comma" mark on his forehead just like Nopie has). 2nd race of his career and he led for most of the way before tiring in the stretch and finishing 3rd.

Robert - I'll be at the fair again tomorrow and next weekend (don't know which day yet, I want to go to the Los Altos Art & Wine Festival one day) - let me know if you're going and we'll hook up!

[DerbyCat]

Originally Posted by pba1817

Don't worry, starting tomorrow, it will be empty the rest of their meet, along with all other fair meets...

Actually, up here in northern California the fair meets draw pretty well - especially the Pleasanton and Santa Rosa meets - Wine County racing is a surprisingly fun environment.

[freddymo]

Les Onaka is giving the seminar outside the grandstand at 11:15 this morning.

Was the seminar on horse racing or martial arts?

[GBBob]

Originally Posted by pba1817

Don't worry, starting tomorrow, it will be empty the rest of their meet, along with all other fair meets...

I am actually a member of the Thoroughbred Owners of California. In my experience, we have ran our horses till they are 4 or 5. Not a large sample of horses owned, and none were superstars of any matter.

I hope that makes my points more concrete or valid for you.

If not, go **** yourself.

That...was a great thread

[westcoastinvader]

Originally Posted by DerbyCat

I went today, decent sized crowd but not too big (shorter lines for beer) - 12 races made for a long day. For me the treat was watching Nopie's younger brother run (a full brother named He's The Pitz - he has the white "comma" mark on his forehead just like Nopie has). 2nd race of his career and he led for most of the way before tiring in the stretch and finishing 3rd.

Robert - I'll be at the fair again tomorrow and next weekend (don't know which day yet, I want to go to the Los Altos Art & Wine Festival one day) - let me know if you're going and we'll hook up!

DerbyCat, I'll send you a private message this week.

I made all three days this weekend, with late races on Friday.

Not thoroughbred racing related, but I loved the "Night Ranger" show Friday night!

This morning I went for the morning seminar and saw Jeff Bonde for a Q&A handicapping session.

Pretty cool, as it turned out.


I thought about you when I saw Siren Lure in the $300,000 race from Hollywood.

Jerry Hollendorfer was saddling his horse for the Alamedan as his horse in the $300,000 race was going off down south. I'm glad I didn't bet that one from Hollywood. I would have lost.

I saw Bold Chieftain in the Breeders' Cup live and up close and personal last fall. Morey had a four win day going prior to today's Alamedan, but I didn't think Bold Chieftain was going to do it today. But he IS a great looking horse.

I tossed a nice amount on Bonde's Sierra Sunset, and then bought a straight up exacta on Sierra Sunset over Bold Chieftain for a healthy chalk exacta play.

It's always nice to win THOSE kind of bets!

Chalk, or not.

I don't think I deserve to be accused of "redboarding" here if I didn't share I was going to load up on an eventual 6-5 and 3-5 shot, eh?

:-)

I want to make the Santa Rosa fair racing for my first time later this month. I'm trying to get my wife's friend to go with us. She takes in horses over 20 years old, and lives nearby.

Challenge is, as a horse lover she's not consistently fond of our sport.

Though she HAS hosted great Kentucky Derby Day parties!

I'm locked and loaded for both days of racing at the Pleasanton fair next weekend.


Sunday we're going with another couple who apparently have had a casual encounter somewhere along the way with Bucky Covington...the evening featured concert performer.

I'll PM you. If we don't connect here, I'll be the guy with a jumbo beer and a white shirt and a program near the paddock between races....


:-)

[DerbyCat]

Originally Posted by westcoastinvader

I thought about you when I saw Siren Lure in the $300,000 race from Hollywood.

The connections retired Siren Lure today, they had been trying to get him to $1,000,000 in earnings but his poor finish (7th, out of the money) yesterday ended that hope. He had been training well but one owner had an unrealistic belief that he could still race at the top level and Siren simply couldn't. this one owner felt that racing Siren in the Fairs was embarrassing but some of us feel what he did yesterday was more embarrassing for this wonderful horse. Siren could have finished well in a Fair stakes or allowance race and ended his career with his million but now he's going out with a sound defeat. There will be no breeding for Siren, he's a gelding, but he has a good home to go to and he'll be treated well.

Siren was one of the most professional horses I've ever had the opportunity to be around - he knew when it was race day and his demeanor changed when he knew he was going to race. My filly was in the stall next to his and I hoped that she would learn from him (but she didn't, she just got crazier).

I know he'll be happy at the farm he's going to but I'll still miss him, I really loved that horse

[my miss storm cat]

Oh, I've always been a fan of his and am glad to hear he'll be well looked after.