Sending It In: Saratoga Opening Weekend in Pictures

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It's Tricky crosses the wire
in front of Plum Pretty in the CCAO

The voicemail that our pal G-Money played back for us Saturday morning was succint and to the point. "Send it in." The message arrived some time after midnight from Vegas Billy (a/k/a The Bossman). "The 8 horse in Race 5," he went on. "It's like walking into the vault." We laughed for a good hour over a fine breakfast at Shirley's, a cool diner on the west side of town.

It became the motto for the rest of the day and into the evening as we capped off a great opening two days at the Spa.

Unfortunately Self Control just didn't show the same things he did in his first race where he was caught badly in traffic and we sent it in on bad tip. "Tips, Schmips" was the Saratoga Resident's reply. We should all know better as we continued to play the voicemail throughout the rest of the card. "Send it in on Aptphilly ($16.80) in the 8th!"

I recovered to end the weekend in the black thanks to a $5 exacta in the Coaching Club. Caught up with a lot of folks, racing fans and made some new friends over the course of the weekend.

Some random thoughts from the cobwebs...

* I don't care much for the new Jim Dandy bar configuration, the Saratoga Resident was quick to point out it has more of an airport feel to it.
* I do like the new beer prices - $3 domestic and $4 import for a 12 oz.
* I do not like that they tossed Bud and Bud Light....what?
* I like the bands playing at the Paddock Bar after the last race on Fridays.
* I liked that the press box had air conditioning.
* I really liked having my first Genny Cream Ale in over 25 years with the WNY Horse Racing crew based out of Rochester.
* The Coaching Club American Oaks was a serious horse race. I loved every minute of that stretch drive. Plus, I sent it in!

Take a gander over a few pictures I shot over the course of the weekend with the Space Gal's pink camera....always a good chuckle, but it does the trick.

The Toddster and Mike Repole
in the paddock

Steve Asmussen tending to
My Miss Aurelia ($8.40), a solid first time winner

A dapper D. Wayne Lucas
awaiting Bourbonesque in the paddock stall

Canadian based trainer Mark Casse
with NBC's Tom Hammond chillin
before Race 3

Johnny V on Stopshoppingmaria
who finished third

Julien Leparoux on My Miss Aurelia

Mmmmm.

Corey Nakatani on Jackson Bend ($18.80)
before the James Marvin S.

Kent Desormeaux on Laurie's Rocket ($16.20)
who took it to the favorites in
Saturday's Race 2.

The well-bet Pletcher/Valezquez tandem
finished third with How Do I Win

Welcome to the Charlotte International Airport.

WNY Horse Racing Group
making a Genny commercial

Aptphilly completed a nice double for me

Martin Garcia on the Kentucky Oaks
champ Plum Pretty

They're Off in the CCAO!

Kiaran McLaughlin really likes his "nice filly."

Time to send it in with a little Rev Run...because, you know, It's Tricky.