Hugs and Handshakes All Around

The lens caps came off the binoculars yesterday, and the lenses were polished. They were needed at the racetrack. Belmont, despite the $20 admission tab was the scene yesterday of The Assembled being re-assembled for their first outing since September 2019.

Without dwelling on it too excessively, NYRA in their great marketing wisdom was allowing fans back to the track if they pre-bought tickets for $15 through Ticketmaster, which came with the privilege of finalizing the cost at $20 after fees and whatever Ticketmaster adds on to the deal.

The offering included what would have normally been a $5 admission, a revised, new $4 program with some weak looking three race pps her horse that is thoroughly useless to serious handicappers who get advance copies of the Racing Form pps and spend Friday studying Saturday's card, and free parking, which by itself is not bad except the lot is still showing the effects from being used by Israel and Hamas for target practice. Any money NYRA is spending on "infrastructure" hasn't been earmarked for anything outdoors with regard to parking.

Inside, the place looks like everyone moved out and skipped paying the rent. There were four SAM machines in place, and only three were working. One was CLOSED all day. There were perhaps at the high water mark three mutuel clerks, eventually one. But with what to me was a surprising crowd of nearly 150 people on the second floor, there was never any waiting, and there was no chance of being shutout.

Happy to report, there were clusters of young adults, guys and gals seen in some seats. At least it's not just a country for old men.

There is absolutely no likelihood that any of us will return to Belmont unless they revert to a plain $5 admission that doesn't require advance ticket purchases that tie in unwanted items. But for now, we were happy to see each other, even though we've talked and emailed each other throughout our absence from the track.

And how did we do? Pretty much mediocre to lousy. No one came out ahead moneywise. Jose was there first for a change, sporting some colorful highlighters and already into early morning Pimlico betting. Unless he pulled a bunny out of his hat in the 11th race and hit the Preakness, Jose was going down for the count. ( A Sunday morning email from Jose revealed that he did indeed pull a big bunny out of his hat by hitting the winner of the Preakness and having $2 on the near $100 exacta. He wouldn't be Jose otherwise. He pulled even for the day, having played 25 races between Belmont and Pimlico.)

Johnny M, Johnny D and Bobby G. left after the 10th race in order to get in front of a living room TV to watch the Preakness live, which we did accomplish. For Johnny D., it looked good that the scales might right themselves when Midnight Bourbon pulled ahead of a weary Medina Spirit, but who the hell is Rombauer? Johnny D. had a high school chemistry teacher named Romberger, but the hunch connection wasn't made, and therefore nothing was won on the Preakness. The day was complete. But we always eat well after the races with my wife's cooking. 

Johnny M. was skunked, with minimal damage luckily, and Bobby G. handicapped an odds-on favorite across the finish line in fine fashion, winning the race, but still losing money. Horse racing is one of those pursuits where you can be right, but still lose. Quitting any kind of day job, no matter what it pays, is never recommended. And now three of us are retired, with Jose, the "baby," ready to pull the ripcord soon.

It will remain to be seen how NYRA prices themselves from here on in. Pandemic restrictions are lifting. The hope is Saratoga can enter the picture and Johnny M. And Johnny D. will be able to consider going without feeling exploited.

There's always hope we'll win money next time.

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