Peaches and Plums, Part I

[Fairmount1]

Back in July, my post titled Saratoga West had unknowingly (to me) thrown down the gauntlet at the boys in the backyard at Saratoga. Little did I know the TG Boys had concocted a plan to defend their proverbial "turf" when I came to the Spa. Uncle Bill, richiebee, and FrankD. all welcomed me on late Thursday afternoon barrels loaded for bear, prepared to fire shots of unparalleled excitement and enjoyment at a track and town that is an escape from all reality. When I arrived in the backyard, I had no idea what to expect beyond a beautiful few days at a place everyone enjoys. What happened after that was just a sensational whirlwind of experiences and events that a drug addict's first high couldn't top.  

After the late pick 4 flew by Thursday, FrankD. took me to Siro's pointing out trainers, owners of note, and having a few more beers than he originally planned but I was thrilled to talk sports, gambling, the good old days including the fact FrankD was there to see Secretariat. He doesn't look or act his age whatsoever.  He has an infectious personality who enjoys serious handicapping, the horses, gambling, sports, and having a great time with a ton of laughter.  His gambling has suffered a bit lately and I think I know why. He has an obsession with Uncle Bill million dollar business ideas distracting him: "Guys, let's buy a double foldout chair or a couch and have a photo booth with Uncle Bill."  Uncle Bill just said, "Nahhh."  After Uncle Bill criticized belmont3 on Saturday for eating hot dogs and chips (the two worst foods in the world according to Uncle Bill), FrankD yelled, "I've got it, how about a TV show titled 'Uncle Bill on Nutrition'." After FrankD said this, Uncle Bill plainly offered FrankD. some plums and peaches he brought that day saying "Frank, would you like some plums or peaches?"  FrankD declined as I laughed. Later, FrankD said "We need to get Thorograph shirts, hats, umbrellas, chairs, and a tablecloth!!!  We could get so rich!"  Uncle Bill told the young fellow to calm down but added further, that if they make the hats, they have to be Blue and Black like his Dog Track hat!

After walking downtown Thursday night, I met richiebee at a bar everyone said was now closed when I asked how to get there!! The 'bee insisted it wasn't closed as he gave them enough money for alcohol for decades now.  After finally finding it, Desperate Anny's is Desperately Wanting for business and they only accept cash in quite the old school fashion It was perfect to meet some locals.  We saw the Mets pounding the Cardinals I hate so much and after one rushed drink that likely brought back memories of richiebee's single life, he said "Kid, get in the car." I had little idea where I was going....... Saratoga Harness here we come! My First trip to see harness in person! We passed by Darley's picturesque Greentree Training Center at night and it is a sight to behold and seeing all of Saratoga at night whether downtown, at the track, or even by GTC is worth the trip alone. The harness track was a sight of its own also....Our admission tickets said we were the 30th and 31st guests admitted for night racing and it was already race 7! The win pool in the final few races we saw had less dough than FrankD bets in a single race at Saratoga. Richiebee forced me to photobomb the winner's circle photo after race 9 and when that driver/owner buys that picture, he will asking for his money back, you can trust me. The rest of the night is a blur but I remember two things:  I was on the Rooftop of City Tavern at some point enjoying the Rooftop View like no other in downtown and that richiebee drugged me on Saratoga Harness racing as another venture to conquer.

[Fairmount1]

Speaking of my gravitation to intelligent people, I can't say enough about the stalwart known to the board as Uncle Bill.  FrankD.'s caricature of Uncle Bill on the board left me with no idea of who Uncle Bill truly is as a person.  He has a deadpan quick wit that is unmatched in the backyard although richiebee is awfully close.  His attention to detail including the TG numbers, trainer intent, and other factors on the races each day were thorough and very accurate.  His opinions and knowledge on facts make a "know it all" like me realize I have so much left to learn in this life.  He is highly intelligent and he knows an enormous amount of information that I've never heard about racing.  His stories about Paycheck Watkins and Potato Chip, (his two best friends on the backside in the 70's I'm guessing) were almost as funny as the one about how when the circus came to town and all of his elephant $hit he gathered for his garden in Jersey was robbed from him in New York City.  Uncle Bill is the King of the backyard.  The women love him and I have the pictures to prove it prompting FrankD's double chair photo booth idea.  One lovely friend I'm guessing lets him in the track early each morning to set up the Thorograph spot and he has an excellent manner with people.  Sunday he helped a young family with seats and a table rather than allowing them to sit on the ground.  His stories about the Jerkens' barn, exercising riding, eating at Angel Cordero's house and on and on are exactly why the track has always felt like home no matter if it is at Fairmount, Oaklawn, or Saratoga.  For six weeks, Uncle Bill is at home and shared one of my favorite sentiments about times I'm at the racetrack:  There is nowhere else I'd rather be than right here!!   Uncle Bill, you made my trip and the entire experience Plum Awesome!!  I had some great times offtrack in Saratoga also but there was nowhere I enjoyed more than with you and FrankD's backyard scene, a TG mecca.    

As a CUBS fan, you all know how Saturday ended in the finale.  One of my legitimate best bets of the day was Rooftop View, out of the mare Wrigley Ivy, took the lead late and I was cheering this one to victory when Irish Prayer broke my belief momentarily in all things good about the Irish, prayers, gambling, and life.  Cubs fans have been through this before and we are resilient.  Rooftop View just missed.  I knew despite the near miss personally, I would be back one last time.   Sunday, I was feeling creative from the first race.  In race 3, my long planned last race of the trip before heading to St. Louis, I was lucky enough to snag a TG top figure horse by 2 points at 7-1, (on a track that didn't favor speed or the rail I later saw which was perfect for this horse luckily), leaving me down just over $400 for the weekend after gambling, Bud Light, Heineken, food, and three nights on the town!  I'll call that a victory if that's all it cost me to have three days in the backyard with some of my favorite people I've ever met if for no other reason than they are serious, serious horseplayers that all have a comprehensive approach to handicapping that many readers of the board may not completely appreciate!!

[Fairmount1]

There was much more to these posts but the forum understandably so wouldn\'t let me post all of it so I shortened it leaving out many, many facets especially about belmont3, Michael D., Mathcapper, justwin, SeanD., TGAB and much, much more.  And much of it was accidentally deleted.

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The Aftermath

Several people asked about Del Mar versus Saratoga since Sunday morning. After the amazing experience put on by Roger at Del Mar and the Uncle Bill/FrankD. Saratoga showcase, I would have to say I'm imagining Tom Durkin's voice emphasizing: "They are head and head with 100 yards to go, they come down to the wire ...(Pause).....PHOTO FINISH, TOO CLOSE TO CALL!!!!"

[jerry]

Enjoyed the read. A book of short stories might actually land that million dollar deal.