A Day at the Toga Party

[Bubbles]

10:30 AM: Gates open. SilverSow and yours truly are waiting in a line that's stretched all the way back to Union Avenue. We get in and get into the festival tent without too much of a problem.

11:30 AM: Ron, aka Storm Cadet, shows up. Tells me the rest of the gang is stuck in said line of monstrous length, and that Suff, his boys, and BillW are getting food.

12:40 PM: Everyone is here, with the exception of the King, his boys, and BillW. Silver mentions that we could call Suff's cell phone, and ask if he wants anything in the first.

12:41 PM: Suff arrives to much fanfare.

1:02 PM: I celebrate as my hunch bet of the day, Too Many Bubbles, wins the opener.

1:25 PM: Suff puts a Yankeehater.com sticker on a post, with intent being to watch PA explode. Doesn't work.

Before 7th race: With the exception of my old man hitting a few exactas, nobody has REALLY hit. I have the midday double going. PA decides to make a bet. He does, saying, and I quote...

"I had an epiphany, I bet the 1 horse on the dead rail."

I had the horse in doubles. At 7-1, he goes off at a decent price. He gets off the rail going around the turn in the sprint, and wins going away. I hit the double for half of $63 and change. Moral of the story: When a moderator has epiphanies, bet the farm and root for the Yankees if necessary. ;)

Before Saratoga Breeders Cup: I go out to the track. It's pretty crowded, this IS Funny Cide after all. I have exactas part-wheeling and backwheeling Funny with Sarava and, as insurance, Evening Attire.

I was at around the sixteenth pole, standing with a big crowd of Funny Faithful (Catchy, huh?). He leads briefly, but is passed by Evening Attire right near where I'm standing. My neighbors were shocked, so it probably wasn't the wisest thing in the world to yell out, "I HAVE IT BOTH WAYS!!!!!" Did anyway, won half of $35.

Before the finale: As I said earlier, nobody was really having a huge day, save for a few non-PA ladies next to us who acted like they won the lottery when their triples and exactas came in in the same race earlier in the day. Suff has a first-time turfer and a regally-bred horse in exactas. He hasn't hit anything on the day, so you can imagine the excitement in the festival tent when the 7 is given the rail and is dueling with the 12.

But rather than the traditional cries of "Yeah!," "Come on!," and "Yes!," all anyone heard was the Dutch side of Suff coming out. Our friend the King was instead yelling, "YAH! YAH! YAH!," and in synch with the horse's strides, no less. The exacta comes in, paying $265 for a $2 ticket.

As Suff is girlie-high-fiving everyone around him, as someone who has just hit big might, we get set to leave, me being up $25, my dad being up $100. Just then, it occurs to my bright, smart, and intelligent old man (Son's note: Can you see I want a car? :D ), "We are playing with their money. Why don't we come back tomorrow, and hang out with the epiphonizing moderator and the Dutch king?"

So here we are, sitting in post-Funny Cide traffic, and we decide to come back tomorrow. Only hope it can be as eventful as today.

Hope to see you all there,
Bub's

[kingfin66]

Sounds like a great time! Great post. Thanks for the update and have fun tomorrow.

[Suff]

yah yah yah! I finally got one. The prices haved been so chalky..and I was cold cold ... But I took one decnt swing at the 7 Win and place (30.60, 18.00) and I used two horses in the exacta...the 7 and 12,,, Bang! I pop'd it. Felt good...
We went to the grocery store... bought barbacue and we ate on the river lastr night... We had a nice fire going and we sat there to near midnight talking horses..

Up and at um this morning.. we went to Breakfast with the horses this morning... Watched a few workouts.. We watched Angel Cordero work a pletcher 2YO.... It was nice to see him up on a nice horse..

We're heading over to SIRO"s now for the DRF show....10:30 to 11:30... Then we hit the track... Life just does'nt get any better!

The weather was beautiful yesterday and again today. Sunny...80 degrees.. no humidity... It's supposed to be like this all week..

Hopefully another winning day is store for me today..

[Skanoochies]

You guys are pissing the old man off here, driving a five ton and handling all the baggage for these folks taking the cruise from Vancouver to alaska. Hope you`re all having a great time and making lots of skanoochies. (dollars out west).
Kick ass gang and keep the reports coming in Bubbles.

P.S. The longshoremen out here call the Alaska cruise "The trip for the newlyweds and the nearly deads."


Good luck folks,

Skanoochies.:D

[Bubbles]

Monday:

Me and the old man get to the tent at around 11 AM. Suff gets in a little later, and the rest of the normal gang (Trijack, Storm Cadet, PA, BillW, Stuball) follows suit. We could pretty much move around wherever we wanted in the tent, it was next to empty.

Before the 4th race, a turfer, Trijack committed a sin against his betting philosophy.

HE BET (GASP!!!!!) AN EXACTA !!!!!

When we got wind of this, I decided to rename him Ex-jack. Now, the exacta came in, but a steward's inquiry was issued. So, until it was disallowed, we called him Ex-Ex-jack. As I said, the order of finish was upheld, and he hit for thirty-some bucks.

Me and SilverSow had been getting decimated all day, and in the 9th, the PA group had every horse covered. So SOMEONE had to hit.

Dad's 5 leads into the stretch, and then the 8 horse charges to the front. Dad has the exacta for the moment, but the favored 11-horse is going well late. The 5 hangs on, and Dad hits for 80 and some change.

Me and Sow are going back Wednesday, and I'm dragging Mom's side of the family up on Friday. Hope to see you all there later this week!

Bub's

[Zaf]

Thanks for the update Bubbles !

ZAFONIC

[Buddha]

bubbles, can you let either BillW or Suff know that I will be there Thursday evening/night to the cabins. Also, if someone has a cell phone at the track, see if you can get a number for me so that I can let them know my status of arrival on thursday.

Thanks ina advance

[Bubbles]

Buddha...

I'll tell 'em you're gonna be up Thursday. If I can get cell phone numbers, I'll get 'em.

[Tom]

I hope to be at the track Friday morning. I tried to email BillW but I don't know if he got it. You guys in the same tent as last year, right?

[BillW]

Guys,

Got the info, see e-mail.

Bill

[stuball]

Hi everyone

Just a few lines to say this is a blast...........really a blast.

Now if the favs start running out of the money we will be

in heaven...very high % of favs winning for the last 3 days..

We need some prices....This experience is the greatest..

5 more days of this --- Yippeeee

If you are thinking of stopping by ---pleeze do ----you won't

regret it..so see you all later...

Stuball

[Trijack]

Suff and a couple of his buddys with Jerry Bailey in the Jocks room on sunday

[andicap]

I'm leaving early tomorrow morning.

1. Where is the festival tent?

2. Who has directions to Whispering Pines?


Looking forward to four days of handicapping bliss -- and beer.

[Bubbles]

The festival tent is out by the paddock. If you go straight from the track to the paddock, you'll see a huge tent, with a few food stands and betting machines by it. That's the festival tent.

[SilverSow]

P.S.

There's a sign nearby that says "Festival Tent" too! LOLOL...

See ya there...

Dave

[Tom]

Originally posted by Trijack
Suff and a couple of his buddys with Jerry Bailey in the Jocks room on sunday
Why would it not surprise me to read in the DRF that Suff was taking over Bailey's contract? LOL

[Tom]

Originally posted by Bubbles
The festival tent is out by the paddock. If you go straight from the track to the paddock, you'll see a huge tent, with a few food stands and betting machines by it. That's the festival tent.

Great sausage next door! See you Friday. Extra peppers! :D

[delayjf]

Makes me sick that I'm not there. Was in the bookstore the other day and they had that new book on Saratoga, that didn't help. I know its petty but I'm jealous as hell. May all your 1 dollar exactas be signers.:D

[Bubbles]

Just got back from another interesting day at the Spa. The main highlight of the day was probably the appearance of the Ugly-Red-Hat-and-Uglier-Purple-Outift Convention, with the possible alias of the Jan Rushton Fan Club. Man, was that hard on my eyes.

Before the 6th race, I have Pick 3's going, with the 1 and 5. Just my luck, the 5 scratches at the gate. I figure, hey, at least I get a conso out of it. The 1 horse then decides to win for fun, and I hit both the conso and the actual P3. Also had the late double, and came home $33 to the good.

A bunch of new faces today, among them were Joe Prunes, andicap, and Storm Cadet's family. More are expected in the next few days. I'm not going up tomorrow, need a day to recover from the last few. Hope to see some people on Friday, when Azeri goes to the post in the Personal Ensign.

Bub's

[Zaf]

Wow I didn't know Azeri was running Friday. :D :D :D

I was there for the Go For Wand and what a wonderful day that was.

ZAFONIC

[Tom]

Azeri Friday!
WooHoo!!!
I should be there 11-11:30...will find you guys around noon.

[Bubbles]

Another fun day at the Toga Party today. The basic gang was there, and Tom came a few races in, charming us with his humor (After we paid him in bananas, of course). I didn't get a sniff all day, might have cashed a win ticket on the 4 in the 8th, but Bailey, as Suff said so eloquently, "DROPPED THE (BLEEP)ING WHIP!!!!!" Had to settle for the place ticket only.

We all saw Azeri get beat. Bailey pulled an Eddington and burned Azeri on the front end, and she was easy pickings for SFF. Quite a race, early fractions were just sizzling.

Tomorrow's the Travers. I'm not going back up tomorrow, but you may spot me there Sunday with SilverSow. Turned a bunch of the guys on to Spiak's in Cohoes, hope they liked the best pizza in the world. Too bad I didn't hit that super in the 10th, I would have paid. ;)

Hope to go back up Sunday. Later all!

Bub's

[PaceAdvantage]

At least this time, Bailey had no choice but to go to the front. I wouldn't blame Bailey for anything. If any jockey deserves to be grilled, it's Pat Day.

Day had Azeri in a good position, but why he chose to make his move so damn early is beyond me.

WHERE WAS PAT "Mr. Wait All Day" DAY TODAY???

Day got that horse beat, plain and simple. She was incredibly game down the stretch, and in fact, when SFF passed her, Azeri actually came back a tad between the 16th pole and the finish line, before starting to fade a bit just before the wire.

Azeri is amazing. She has impressed me more this year (blemishes and all) then she ever has when she was pussy footing it around California beating up on the same crap month in and month out.

Pat Day has won only once with Azeri. I really wish Mike Smith would be invited back into the fold. He was a perfect fit for Azeri. Boy do I miss him as far as Azeri is concerned.

Hope you guys enjoy TRAVERS WEEKEND!

[Tom]

Let me tell you, this is one great bunch of people...everyone there was having a good time and you couldn't ask for a better day. Good to see the man-Suff-in action again. I wasn't there 30 seconds and he had a cold one in my hand. 33 degrees. Perfect beer temp. One table was full of laptops and I though maybe it was Mission control at Houston when I first got there! Lots of hard capping, lots of laughs, good to see old friends and meet new ones.
Only two bummers all day:
1. I missed PA again this year-was really hoping he would have been there...next year for sure, boss!
2. Not one stinking, lousy winner all day long! Three double digit winners, all hooked up to third place finisheders in exctas! I was about 8 inches away from a great day all told.

OK you guys, I am watching ESPN today, so get out there and wave-I know where you are.

:)

[Bubbles]

It's official, I'm going back up Sunday. Hope to see you all agin there.

Tom: If ya come up, I'll have a barrelfull of freshly-picked bananas for ya. :D

[Suff]

Originally posted by Tom
Why would it not surprise me to read in the DRF that Suff was taking over Bailey's contract? LOL

I don't think I could usurp angel codero who handes Jonny V's book now... but yesterday I was in the jockeys room going over mounts with Pat Day, Rich Mig and Casttallano..... ....I have pictures of the whole operation... they'll be up in the 2004 Gallery in a couple of weeks...

Heaven on Earth... Heaven on Earth. Another great year

[Tom]

I told ya yesterday.....
You da man! :D

[Hammerhead]

My 1st and only day which is more then likely my last SUCKED
Next time put up a sign.

Outside of winning 7 of 8 races. 2tris and 5 exactas plus the 20.00 horse
the trip sucked Never met anyone of you guys. Maybe you went incognito. Probably will not return.

[PaceAdvantage]

Maybe they didn't want to advertise....

The Festival Tent isn't really that big a place. Perhaps you didn't actually go to the Festival Tent? They were the only guys there with computers.....

Sorry you missed them.

BTW, a guy who hits 7 of 8 really shouldn't be such a sour puss! LOL

[Tom]

7 of 8?!
I will drive back and meet you there anytime! Lunch is on me!:rolleyes:

[Hammerhead]

No the tent said Festival tent. Paper posted on the entrances said sold out
Behind the paddock area Toward the road for entrance.
Size Approx 60x20
Red and white stripped top
Small tent to the left same discription as You are facing away from the grandstand was roped off in yellow tape and no one there on all occasions.

[Hammerhead]

Not a sour puss PA health failing and I doubt I will get there again. Don't care to discuss this crap.

[Hammerhead]

Tom
Be great to see you at Belmont or the Big "A"

[Tom]

Boy, that sounds right. Maybe it got closed due the rain? FLooded or something????


Bel or A is a bit beyond my drivng...I was 3.5-4 hours one way to the Spa. But I won't rule it out.
Would like to see Bel in the fall....maybe I could take Amtrak?

[Bubbles]

Sunday Summary (Catchy, huh?)...

Me and SilverSow arrive at 10:30, and set up in the tent. The crew arrives a little after 12. The thrills were nonstop from the outset.

Before the 2nd race: I like a horse that nobody else likes. I try to tell everyone else about it. Sam I Am, knowing nothing about the odds, says, "With Ariel Smith up, you should be getting 37-1."

Next flash of the tote: 37-1.

As it turned out, it didn't matter, the horse finished up the track.

Before the 5th race: Suff tries a little good-natured ribbing on me. "Bub's, try not going 30-1 this time, OK?" I was a little steamed, but nothing big. Suff comes back from wagering, and he says, "I bet the 4, 7, and 8." The odds, respectively, were 33-1, 40-1, and 5/2. Do as I say, not as I do, huh, Suff? ;) Order of finish is 1-6, the only combo I didn't play involving 1,6, and 8. So we both got burned.

Before the 10th: Buddha goes around with his camera, just snapping pictures. On his way back, an 11-1 shot, Salty Character, stops dead in front of him and takes a dump. Innocent enough, but Buddha tells us about it, and, as a reference to PA, someone says, "IT MAY HAVE BEEN AN EPIPHANY!!!!!"

Sure enough, the horse wins going away at decent odds.

That's all for my 'Toga Party-ing for the year. Some of the guys, BillW, Trijack, those guys, will be up again tomorrow.

Thanks to all who made my experiences memorable, the tickets winners, and the epiphanies useful. Only hope next year can be as fun.

Bub's

[Storm Cadet]

Hell I only live minutes from you...I'll take you to HOOTERS on exit 58 for dinner!:D :D :D

[Hammerhead]

Sounds like a plan I am 5 minutes off Ex 63 North Ocean Ave. You Drive I'll Pay. Can't drive at night. Eyesight piss poor after dusk.

[Red Knave]

Just wanted to publicly thank Suff for arranging the Party this year. And I appreciate you trying to get us old f@rts into action at night on Caroline St. ;)
A Good Time all around. Great seeing all the guys and trying to pick a few winners.
I'll be looking for the pictures!
All the best.

Bob

[SilverSow]

Hi all...

Had a fabulous time up there this year and really enjoyed renewing in-person acquaintances with those of you I already knew, and had a blast getting to know several folks I met for the first time as well.

Stuball... rats, sorry you were gone when I got there yesterday... to my son's endless frustration, I entered the track with a 2 disc set of Peter, Paul & Mary songs you coulda used as a whole days' worth of background music... LOL...

Suff, thanks so much for the advance planning, and BillW, thanks to you too for handling the on-site logistics... Bubbles & I had a fabulous time with all of you... geez, I keep watching that 4th race replay from yesterday... Buddha, I SWEAR one of these times that 6 horse is gonna make it home in front!! LOLOL...

Dave

[Zaf]

I was there for 3 days and have to say everyone I met from the board was super cool :cool: ! What a great bunch of guys.

I have to especially thank Suff and Bill W. I always had a great place to sit in the shade and a cold one at any time !

Next year I will have to stay longer :D

Thanks Guys !!!!

ZAFONIC

[Bubbles]

Hope you guys had the 34-1 shot today in the 9th. Gotta love Herbie Castillo...

[Buddha]

Originally posted by Bubbles
Hope you guys had the 34-1 shot today in the 9th. Gotta love Herbie Castillo...

ask suff about the pain of that race. he had the 5 and 8 boxed in the exacta. 5 wins at 34/1, 8 runs 4th

[John]

I was with SUFF yesterday at the beach.Suff got home safe and sound. That was the only bad spot on the whole affair. Suff was stranded at the Spa. I tried to get someone to ride up and get him.could not do it. So Suff got to Albany N.Y. next plane to Boston was in 6 hours .Next bus to Boston was in 1/2 hour 3 1/5 hour later Suff was back on the beach.


ALL IS WELL THAT ENDS WELL !!


As For me and Charlie,We had a great time the three day we were there.One night at the Harness races I took TRIJACK in to the slot casino,found him a Draw Poker machine he played. Half hour later I met Trijack at the bar. He had a hand full of hundreds he won. He pulled a straight flush for the max payoff. Nice going Jack.

My thanks go out to BillW [ what a nice guy ] Bill, I don't know if you got all the money back for the tent and tables., If you came out on the short end. E-mail me.o.k.

Maxspa, A real gentleman and good haandicapper, Maxspa talked on software and handicapping and I listen. Maxspa and Andicap are very knowledgeable. Next year i want to be there when these two guys are together.

Too many nice guys to name all.For the people I did not name.Believe me guys you are all in my heart.

Thanks for a great time.

John

[Tom]

And they all lived happily ever after.:D

[Bubbles]

NOT QUITE THE END!!!!!!!!!!!

Guys, I have pictures from the Toga Party. Who do I e-mail them to to have them posted in the album that was being planned?

[Buddha]

Originally posted by Bubbles
NOT QUITE THE END!!!!!!!!!!!

Guys, I have pictures from the Toga Party. Who do I e-mail them to to have them posted in the album that was being planned?

Im not sure about hte album, but I would like to see some if you wanted to email them to me.

[John]

You are right Bubbles.The end of this year is the begining of next year. I can hardly wait. I truly enjoyed you and your father. Two very nice people. Please e-mail me some pictures too.

last year Trijack, posted picture album

[Mailman]

Guys
Thanks Again for welcoming me! Had a Great time!
Hope to do it again.

[JustRalph]

come bubbles.......post some kind of pic in this thread.....give us a nibble.........

[PaceAdvantage]

I'll be getting the album together this week...same format as last year if that's ok with you....you'll be able to upload the photos into the system yourself. You'll just have to give me a few days...

[andicap]

Had a great time and was glad I could spend more time this year and meet more people than I did a year ago.

Special thanks to Red for doing me a real mitvah one night.

I just wish some of the guys we meet at the track could come out with us one night if just to 9 Maple for a few drinks in the alley.

And one of these days I will absolutely finish all my handicapping BEFORE I get to the track so I can spend the day yakking with everyone.

Thanks, Suff, for all your work and extra money you spend on this event.

[Red Knave]

Special thanks to Red for doing me a real mitzvah one night.
:) I was unaware of that meaning of the word.

We also owe Suff and BillW thanks for their mitzvahs.