View Full Version : Opening Day Gulfstream Championship Meet Photo's
I spent the morning on the backside, my afternoon upstairs, and my early evening downstairs. The weather was beautiful, the track was gorgeous. I snapped pictures all day and I hope the members here enjoy viewing them as much as I did taking them in.!
Grateful to Joe Orseno for taking a few minutes to explain how he organizes his barns activity.
https://i.ibb.co/6rqs7LM/IMG-2257.jpg (https://ibb.co/Qpxm3tg)
https://i.ibb.co/F7YTyYR/IMG-2252.jpg (https://ibb.co/vzdnTd0)
The view back to the track from Joe's barn.
https://i.ibb.co/Y3kYvkD/IMG-2262.jpg (https://ibb.co/kx8kY83)
This is an older barn at Gulfstream. The newer barns where I met with Mike Maker is the picture below this one.
https://i.ibb.co/5n9QCLr/IMG-2256.jpg (https://ibb.co/4YfbCp8)
https://i.ibb.co/FXH4qcc/IMG-2277.jpg (https://ibb.co/68X0JGG)
Trainer Mike Maker
https://i.ibb.co/0tXx0QK/IMG-2280.jpg (https://ibb.co/BNP9hwG)
Tack Room
https://i.ibb.co/6Dv7TR8/IMG-2279.jpg (https://ibb.co/RQhkspN)
After tooling around the backside, I headed up to the Executive Directors Suite. I called and chaired a Stronach Group Board meeting. Nobody showed up so I moved forward with a motion to invest and reopen Suffolk Downs! :headbanger:
https://i.ibb.co/h21JKfy/IMG-2300.jpg (https://ibb.co/7rNdG4X)
Then I explained where these Gates are supposed to go so CJ's timing issues don't keep happening. I straightened everything out for you Craig.:D
https://i.ibb.co/N3CGgV1/IMG-2304.jpg (https://ibb.co/7zC0xYg)
Then I made some bets....
https://i.ibb.co/5FL1ctm/IMG-2358.jpg (https://ibb.co/bJX6dqT)
I cashed so big I used a Clamp as my money clip... :cool:
https://i.ibb.co/8NkF2z6/IMG-2362.jpg (https://ibb.co/Dzd3kG5)
Back upstairs to check in on the how the reopening of Suffolk Downs was going. I fired two people who told me Larry Collmus wouldn't come back to Suffolk... I'm action orientated and I raised our contract offer to 5 million dollars and 3 acres on East Boston Beach. :liar:
https://i.ibb.co/kMLcY4J/IMG-2308.jpg (https://ibb.co/JCYkXvq)
Then I did some people watching
https://i.ibb.co/jy2Z2fM/IMG-2353.jpg (https://ibb.co/0CSVS2M)
https://i.ibb.co/Tv6cFR5/IMG-2355.jpg (https://ibb.co/986nC2j)
https://i.ibb.co/C0syZvd/IMG-2365.jpg (https://ibb.co/NYnqPph)
Then I partied with the best handicapper in the land!
https://i.ibb.co/88RzksX/IMG-2341.jpg (https://ibb.co/ggXvY96)
And other beautiful people
https://i.ibb.co/VY8grdt/IMG-2346.jpg (https://ibb.co/0y3C8kc)
Then I sat back and admired my work...
https://i.ibb.co/Zh1R8k8/IMG-2305.jpg (https://ibb.co/fCGVpPp)
Then I cashed some more winners...
https://i.ibb.co/q9w5Sxk/IMG-2357.jpg (https://ibb.co/Y8GZCbp)
Then I entertained on the Ivory's in the new VIP area
https://i.ibb.co/jTt4XDc/IMG-2336.jpg (https://ibb.co/DtdK2Qx)
https://i.ibb.co/WfGx8Gs/IMG-2367.jpg (https://ibb.co/9Wc8KcG)
https://i.ibb.co/JHPW7kT/IMG-2317.jpg (https://ibb.co/3cH5Nhb)
https://i.ibb.co/wNQmZ8n/IMG-2334.jpg (https://ibb.co/8DxZnGy)
https://i.ibb.co/njZVgmV/IMG-2315.jpg (https://ibb.co/YhYKRQK)
Then I surveyed my Kingdom one final time and left.
https://i.ibb.co/Scv8MNf/IMG-2348.jpg (https://ibb.co/G9PL87H)
https://i.ibb.co/yQ9zK7P/IMG-2349.jpg (https://ibb.co/W2hr7j5)
garyscpa
12-01-2018, 10:10 PM
You sure do get around Fuss.
098poi
12-01-2018, 10:15 PM
Great time, thanks!
Laughs all day, bigger and better laughs when you're winning ... but winning aside.. I'm happiest standing near the ocean or being at the race track. I love it and it makes me happy.:):ThmbUp:
Claim slip ...
https://i.ibb.co/HK3tL1h/IMG-2295.jpg (https://ibb.co/CwDbpNP)
other signs and what-nots..........
https://i.ibb.co/P9pvB6Y/IMG-2278.jpg (https://ibb.co/yYTcLQR)
https://i.ibb.co/qrdZm0q/IMG-2273.jpg (https://ibb.co/d5rhkbC)
Burls
12-01-2018, 10:57 PM
Then I made some bets....
I cashed so big I used a Clamp as my money clip... :cool:
https://i.ibb.co/8NkF2z6/IMG-2362.jpg (https://ibb.co/Dzd3kG5)
Is that money being bet or money being paid out?
Is that money being bet or money being paid out?
That was a payout. I had the $54 exacta 10X in the 10th at Aqueduct. Downstairs I was betting paper and getting paper. Upstairs I was betting plastic and getting credits.
The Xpress Bet card that you use in the machines does not spit out paper. It takes some getting used to because you swipe a plastic card, make your bets, and no paper is dispensed. No tickets at all, the bets are on your account.
Downstairs I bet $40 paper currency to win on the 6.( 7-1) and 10 dollar ex/box 5-6 and it ran 5-6 for $545
Buckeye
12-02-2018, 12:44 AM
The most beautiful racetrack out there!
I speak from experience.
With a great location. :)
Buckeye
12-02-2018, 12:52 AM
That was a payout. I had the $54 exacta 10X in the 10th at Aqueduct. Downstairs I was betting paper and getting paper. Upstairs I was betting plastic and getting credits.
The Xpress Bet card that you use in the machines does not spit out paper. It takes some getting used to because you swipe a plastic card, make your bets, and no paper is dispensed. No tickets at all, the bets are on your account.
Downstairs I bet $40 paper currency to win on the 6.( 7-1) and 10 dollar ex/box 5-6 and it ran 5-6 for $545
Sounds reasonable to me Fuss, when I was there I had a private tote account.
The place is so small on busy days it helps to place bets remotely.
The most beautiful racetrack out there!
I speak from experience.
With a great location. :)
Gulfstream is drop dead gorgeous. If they follow up with the planned Condo's and Hotels on the property I'll probably by a condo at a pre-construction price.
This is actually where I hope to call it quits. In my perfect world I'd like to work another 10 years and then settle in here for my closing act.
My Obituary. Simple and sweet.
Eased, Vanned off.
https://i.ibb.co/q9j4xkG/IMG-2338.jpg (https://ibb.co/pZwsnJD)
https://i.ibb.co/qnLbxCD/IMG-2339.jpg (https://ibb.co/xsKV3Y2)
https://i.ibb.co/WVzKCDb/IMG-2340.jpg (https://ibb.co/tL2CRZ7)
The restaurant that was Christina Lee's was gutted & converted to a VIP players lounge and banquet room. $2500 $5000 a day plus food & beverage for private parties.
https://i.ibb.co/dPFv0Dd/IMG-2311.jpg (https://ibb.co/BybJVBX)
https://i.ibb.co/V90SRs9/IMG-2312.jpg (https://ibb.co/r0K6YV0)
https://i.ibb.co/fd6CyTM/IMG-2316.jpg (https://ibb.co/N2DLJGx)
https://i.ibb.co/MC0bfM3/IMG-2313.jpg (https://ibb.co/W2JQ0gY)
https://i.ibb.co/M65T2Mk/IMG-2325.jpg (https://ibb.co/m8FsD65)
https://i.ibb.co/FKCLcQX/IMG-2314.jpg (https://ibb.co/MsQxKzf)
View out the back.
https://i.ibb.co/S3jYct0/IMG-2323.jpg (https://ibb.co/0G74KCZ)
https://i.ibb.co/G5Bf6ZQ/IMG-2330.jpg (https://ibb.co/Vqr01FY)
https://i.ibb.co/FXWnT6s/IMG-2337.jpg (https://ibb.co/KDGmv6N)
Great pics, Suff - the turf courses sure look a lot better than they did a few months ago! GREEN!!!! :D
Afleet
12-02-2018, 08:01 PM
very cool thanks for sharing!
Great pics, Suff - the turf courses sure look a lot better than they did a few months ago! GREEN!!!! :D
Thank you Tom, I'm glad you enjoyed them.
I went today for lunch & right when I walked in I got a big surprise. Robert Destasio was sitting on a bench near the walking ring.
Bob was the racing Secretary at Suffolk Downs for many years. Director of racing at Rockingham park. He's in his mid 80's now and doesn't get out to the track much.
https://i.ibb.co/tz9D4Pv/IMG-2375.jpg (https://ibb.co/dtRDrJV)
We ended up sitting downstairs and talking about Suffolk Downs all afternoon. I enjoyed myself tremendously. . The guy on the left is a life-long friend of mine , Danny Sullivan, who is down from Boston to claim some horses. That's why we were over with Joe Orseno and Mike Maker yesterday. Danny is putting something together with them for a few claims.
Gulfstream has a car detailing service when you valet. I had my car washed and waxed while I had lunch, I bet 4 races and left. Another great day and hat tip, nice touch, by Gulfstream to add that amenity.:ThmbUp:
Robert Fischer
12-02-2018, 08:56 PM
Look at these 'snowbirds'
Great pics. Looks like fun. :ThmbUp:
Zman179
12-02-2018, 09:11 PM
You’ve certainly got good connections. :ThmbUp:
You’ve certainly got good connections. :ThmbUp:
I think Tim Ritvo who runs Santa Anita is Bob's protege, and remains close to the family. He mentioned something recent but I did not drill into it.
No reason it would be known, but Tim Ritvos sister ran the beer stand on the 1st floor clubhouse at Suffolk up until a couple of years ago. I still have an outstanding bar tab with her....:lol:
Danny was buying horses 30 years ago with Richie Ferrara. Tim Ritvo road for Richie. Ritvo had 500 mounts? I think, at Suffolk Downs back in them days.
Then Ritvo ran Suffolk Downs for many years, and anybody who knows Suffolk Downs knows that that the Backside was an insane asylum. To run Suffolk Downs you had to be part Psychiatrist, part Prison Warden.
The place was cray cray.
That's why I don't have much doubt about Tim Ritvo. Nothing that Santa Anita trainers throw at him is to much.
I told Bob about Ritvo and Wrona, and that conversation turned into Larry Collmus starting out his career at Rockingham when Bob ran Rockingham.
He had very nice words about Larry, which is very common. Everybody who ever dealt with Larry Collmus has nothing but kind things to say about him.
Zman179
12-03-2018, 10:42 AM
I told Bob about Ritvo and Wrona, and that conversation turned into Larry Collmus starting out his career at Rockingham when Bob ran Rockingham.
He had very nice words about Larry, which is very common. Everybody who ever dealt with Larry Collmus has nothing but kind things to say about him.
Are you thinking about Birmingham? I don’t think Larry ever had a steady job at the Rock.
Geez, I’m getting old. I remember when Larry used to call the 4th race at Bowie when he first started.
Wiley
12-03-2018, 07:18 PM
My Obituary. Simple and sweet.
Eased, Vanned off.
Quite possibly the best line I have read on this site, and that is saying something!
If I beat you there, mind if I use your line but make it,
"Gave way while under pressure, Eased, Vanned off"
Great pictures and promo for GP. You should be on their PR payroll, if not already. Thanks.
Are you thinking about Birmingham? I don’t think Larry ever had a steady job at the Rock.
Geez, I’m getting old. I remember when Larry used to call the 4th race at Bowie when he first started.
No.. maybe I just worded it wrong. I thought I heard Bob say "I remember when larry started calling races at the rock".... I was trying to squeeze the nice things Bob said about him into the thread.... Kind of. "Hey if anybody talks to Larry, please tell him Bob Destatios said hello.:headbanger:
Suffolk Trainer, Frank Shannon, used to bring a string to Bowie. They were all big Orioles Fans down there.
My Obituary. Simple and sweet.
Eased, Vanned off.
Quite possibly the best line I have read on this site, and that is saying something!
If I beat you there, mind if I use your line but make it,
"Gave way while under pressure, Eased, Vanned off"
Great pictures and promo for GP. You should be on their PR payroll, if not already. Thanks.
Thank you Wiley. That means alot coming from from a PA member as long as you have been. You can use my lines... I free license all my material for non-commercial use.:lol:
PaceAdvantage
12-08-2018, 05:30 PM
I like Fuss...man, you do it right...you always have...
kingfin66
12-08-2018, 08:38 PM
I like Fuss...man, you do it right...you always have...
Yeah, but why is he now Fuss instead of Suff? That is what I would like to know.
Yeah, but why is he now Fuss instead of Suff? That is what I would like to know.
I went down in a ball of flames as suff, took a long break from posting here and when I re-joined I just inverted the letters.
I went today for the whole card. Bet every race and did not cash a single ticket.
Sucked!
When exiting the Ten Palms resturant the sun was setting over the walking ring and it was this pretty.
https://i.ibb.co/CwBCst7/13-B87685-C122-4-C1-A-8-D24-2-DD55-B9-EAA4-E.jpg[/IMG]
https://i.ibb.co/PzFnYb7/0255-B993-2-AD7-42-A3-A02-B-B6-BB4-F814531.jpg (https://ibb.co/HpBs2MW)
Speaking of Pretty, someone sent me this tonight.
A sliver of the Moon over the Boston Skyline. Taken from Revere last night. It takes my breath away.
https://i.ibb.co/YB0J8ND/045-DFD5-C-C504-46-F9-A49-E-FB4-A12058-F4-D.png (https://ibb.co/m5NdtRv)
onefast99
12-10-2018, 04:22 PM
Joe is my trainer looks as if the president of the NTRA sponsored a nice backstretch tour, Joe said everyone had a great time, tour, lunch and races Eric is a good guy as well. I hope you enjoyed yourself, looks as if you did!
Is your friend the one who gave Joe 4 horses from Ocala?
Joe is my trainer looks as if the president of the NTRA sponsored a nice backstretch tour, Joe said everyone had a great time, tour, lunch and races Eric is a good guy as well. I hope you enjoyed yourself, looks as if you did!
Is your friend the one who gave Joe 4 horses from Ocala?
It was sponsored by TOBA https://toba.org/.
Dan Metzger and Meredith Downey hosted and both are good souls and fun people.
There was another participant who I overhead talking to Joe about 4 horse's he had in Ocala. It sounds like he did bring them down. :ThmbUp:
The event was great. Tom Amoss was the lunch guest/host and he's a first class gentleman.
pandy
12-11-2018, 10:13 PM
Thanks for the photos, nice.
ZippyChippy423
12-12-2018, 07:37 AM
Whole card without cashing a ticket? Tracks should have a consolation prize for that! Lol. I love the betting action at Gulfstream and can’t wait to go in January. BTW I’m looking into hotels now and having some challenges coming up with where to stay. Usually it’s been Hollywood Beach or Sunny Isles. My uncle and his buddies use to love to stay at Knights Inn in Hallendale. He would say it was a decent place and always under 100 bucks a night. I stayed once and was like WTF. These guys easily bet 200 a race but el cheapos like to eat and room up like they have beer bottle pockets.
rastajenk
12-12-2018, 09:19 AM
It's all about the priorities, man. :cool:
Whole card without cashing a ticket? Tracks should have a consolation prize for that! Lol. I love the betting action at Gulfstream and can’t wait to go in January. BTW I’m looking into hotels now and having some challenges coming up with where to stay. Usually it’s been Hollywood Beach or Sunny Isles. My uncle and his buddies use to love to stay at Knights Inn in Hallendale. He would say it was a decent place and always under 100 bucks a night. I stayed once and was like WTF. These guys easily bet 200 a race but el cheapos like to eat and room up like they have beer bottle pockets.
I had friends in town last week and they stayed here... Brand NEW. It was open two weeks at the time, very nice for a wyndham. Free breakfast.. hot breakfast too.
5 miles from the track.
https://www.wyndhamhotels.com/wyndham-garden/dania-beach-florida/wyndham-garden-ft-lauderdale-airport-cruise-port/overview
January is high season so the days of $100 are limited. in this same area are two dozen "motels" you're not going to find on Expedia etc.. You might have to drill into Google to locate a decent one. Some of these you check-in through bullet proof glass like the Motels near The Meadowlands in NJ.;)
I went today and went down to saddling area to see Audible. They did NOT take them out to the walking ring so this was as close as I got.
Rick Pitino had the table two down from us. I said hello + a Celtics Shout Out.:headbanger: It looked like he was in action because I saw him flipping the TV from Tampa to NYRA all day. He was with a bunch of friends chasing the pick 6.
[https://i.ibb.co/2qHN1Lv/Audible.jpg (https://ibb.co/NxbSdk9)
I said hello to Sol Kumin as well. What a Gentleman and friendly person he is. Class act.
https://i.ibb.co/ynbr4Rz/Sol-Kumin.jpg (https://ibb.co/SX9zfxk)
We went up the ladder , outside in a finish line booth today. $500 a day for these things! $27,000 for annual rental.
The guy on the far left is Pete Bournias, Former North East Director of the Jockey Guild before the 2001 hostile take over by Chris McCarron and Wayne Gertmenian. Pete's in Florida with me for the week. If any old friends want his #, please message me.
https://i.ibb.co/tDLZn4P/500booth.jpg (https://ibb.co/jDJVqTZ)
Lemon Drop Husker
12-15-2018, 09:33 PM
THAT was Awesome!
Thanks for sharing.
You had an amazing time brother. :headbanger:
onefast99
12-16-2018, 04:55 PM
It was sponsored by TOBA https://toba.org/.
Dan Metzger and Meredith Downey hosted and both are good souls and fun people.
There was another participant who I overhead talking to Joe about 4 horse's he had in Ocala. It sounds like he did bring them down. :ThmbUp:
The event was great. Tom Amoss was the lunch guest/host and he's a first class gentleman.
Yes they arrived last Thursday.
Robert Fischer
12-17-2018, 03:41 PM
I went today and went down to saddling area to see Audible. They did NOT take them out to the walking ring so this was as close as I got.
Rick Pitino had the table two down from us. I said hello + a Celtics Shout Out.:headbanger: It looked like he was in action because I saw him flipping the TV from Tampa to NYRA all day. He was with a bunch of friends chasing the pick 6.
[https://i.ibb.co/2qHN1Lv/Audible.jpg (https://ibb.co/NxbSdk9)
You take good pictures. Castellano getting a leg up onto Audible for the Harlans Holiday.
I can't F@%! believe that I 'cancelled' my pick-3 :bang::bang::bang: with that Chicago shipper Sir Anthony. Definitely needed a dream-trip to win, but Audible never really fired...
:ThmbUp:
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