Top 5 Things - Belmont Edition

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As I was snoozing at my parent's house in the 'Cuse, after spending two of the last three weekends at major racing venues my mind started to wander (dangerous, I know). I wondered what would it take for me to miss the Belmont Stakes, a race day I love to attend as much as any other...of course a list came to mind.

What would be the Top 5 things that would keep me away?

1. Family Commitment or Event. Easy one here....the fam always comes first. This would include weddings, graduations, dance recitals (Space Filly), Space Kid ball games, selected funerals and a sick dog. Nothing shocking here...most bases covered.

2. Sabres Stanley Cup-clinching game. I have seen Lord Stanley's Cup grace the ice at Buffalo's HSBC Arena...I'd just like to see the good guys carry it around the ice. As a long suffering Buffalo fan for over 25 years, this would make me pass on the third jewel (although if it were a Triple Crown year I might think twice).

3. Livin' it up at the Hotel California. If the Space Gal wanted to do a trip and it was the only weekend she could swing it. Plus, I hear it's a lovely place.

4. Vegas. Do I need to explain? Speaking of the Space Gal...she's already planning for my big 5-0 in a few years to be a Breeders' Cup weekend in Vegas with my pals. How cool is that? November 2013 at the Mirage...mark your calendar.

5. Meet and Greet including dinner with one of my childhood idols. The list? A) Brooks Robinson; B) the late Johnny Unitas; C) Muhammad Ali; D) Dr. J; or E) the late Pete Maravich. I debated on a couple here: Smokin' Joe Frazier, Howard Cosell, David Cassidy and Steve Carlton all receiving votes.

I can't think of much else that would keep me away, other than a work commitment, natural disaster or invitation from the President to play the ponies together....how about you?

Times Gone By, Dude

Tweet Well it's almost New Years Day and I've had the Space Gal running up and down the stairs all day trying to get the deduction in, but it looks like it's to no avail. I don't have anything interesting to report as I've been immersed in two books over the holidays, "Johnny U" and "Laughing in the Hills" so I've taken some time off on the blogging front. Some great racetrack references to report on next year from the Johnny U book. The dude (Unitas) was my idol growing up and the book is fascinating to me and I've been thoroughly enjoying it. Laughing in the Hills is all that's it's been made up to be (that I read on some other notable blogs) and I look forward to wrapping that one up over the weekend. My Lost in the Fog DVD showed up, so that too is in my future.

Anyways, to keep yourselves busy while I'm on hiatus, drum up a picture to submit over at the TBA website where something is going on regarding some picture that got some award or whatnot. Anyways it looks like a fun contest with great prizes (i think). I'm not a rules reader so don't count on me to enlighten you, everything you need to know is at the main page.

Happy New Year to all who visit here, I appreciate that you endear yo' bad selves to my nonsense and bad handicapping skillz (I'm in a slangy mood, sorry). From my Opening Day post to my year end Wishing Well, I've been having a blast sharing a look into the inner circle of a bean counter gone mad over an awesome sport. Have a safe night, remember don't drink and blog, it can be dangerous.

I'll leave you with a final 2008 belly laugh, dude. (Subtitles for my foreign readers)