Thoughts of Traver 08 early morning...

[engine ONE]

Finding my way over from the backstretch to the main early Saturday morning after workouts to visit a long time friend who is a vendor reminded me of the many years that we spent early mornings of Travers handicapping and watching the great replays on the tv's of Travers past. I have not made a Travers appearance in the past several years due to the crowd but what I saw this past Saturday morning confirmed that it is not the place to be for this horse player.

As I sat with my friend I was quick to notice a group of young men had taken a whole circle of picnic tables around a tv pole. The ring leader was then on the walkway asking the poor folk who were not lucky enough to survive the "running of the bulls" for tables if they wanted one...for the nice juicy price of $50. My friend the vendor was so pissed off that he informed a security guard of the issue. A few minutes passed when a sargent appeared and what we thought was going to be an enforcement of giving the tables up he actually knew these guys and was joking with them to make it not look to obvious... must have been in on it also.. times have changed for sure...

Looking around I saw many folks without a racing form or program but drinking beer at the ripe old time of 7:15am...my thought was how would they ever make post time...let alone make a bet... It seems that the track has changed a lot and theme is what Mr. Durkin proudly crows.."Party Time" and so it was to be.. For me it ended and I said good bye to my friend for another year when I looked over at the next table of guys and girls and Beer pong was under way..

Back to the backstretch I went where horse knowledge is shared and the betting is serious... you can keep the main side for those who like Bud Light and ping pong ball tasting beer.

Charlie Backstretch..Engine One..Tony Clifton..Java Gold.. "Lil" Andy hater & hopeful that someday DaHoss will meet up for a conversation about horses.