Toga Party X Update
 

After an bit of back and forth, I think we are all set for the annual week at Saratoga. Once again we had groups buy out the whole tent during the week, but NYRA seating was able to arrange for us to have individual tables at the Big Red Spring again on those days. It will be on Wednesday and Thursday this year when we will have to relocate, but it worked out just fine last year, so no problems are anticipated. I also coordinated with Ted Craven this year so we have one big block together with them Friday through Sunday in the Festival Tent. Should be getting the actual tickets very soon.

This is the sort of news that takes a bit of the chill out of the air on a still wintery day.

Nice work as usual, Al. Barring anything unforeseen, I should be there for most of the week.

I actually like the tables by Big Red better. They're sunnier.

It's almost worth it when Ted's group is there to rent the whole Big Red Spring tent, but we're still a couple tables short of equating the $ levels. I think the whole BRS tent runs $300 if I remember right, so if we ever got to 12 tables between the two groups, it might be worth it. Of course one of those Sundays is a giveaway day, so it would be right out that day unless they change the distribution process.

Al,

give me the dates again please.

August 11-19

It got to 60 degrees today and I got two big bundles of tickets in the mail today. It draws nearer!

That's awesome...can't wait for this year's renewal...10 years eh? That calls for something special...gotta put on my thinking cap... :lol:

Wow!!! Mike, Ten years ... It seems like only yesterday.The first year was a huge success.Guys came from everywhere Trijack, from Cal. Bill W.from Texas.CJ was still in uniform serving his country somewhere and who could forget Winmanwin, from Brooklyn N.Y. what a fun guy.Mike Dudley got us in the Executive Box located at the top of the stretch.Mike also got us all free tee shirts. You could tell that first year,that this was going to be continued for a lot of years to come.

Any PA member that dose not make this Toga affair at least once is missing out on something very special.

Every year with OTMAL, is better than the year before.

Thanks Mike for supporting this great event

:) :) :)

I'm thinking lobster tails and champagne ?

I can assure you this wouldn't disappoint:

http://www.hattieschickenshacks.com/menu/

Now that my wife and I have moved a little closer to the East Coast, we're thinking of driving up from Alabama for this year's gathering. Are there major problems finding lodging in the area during the race meeting? Any idea of how far in advance I might have to book, how far from the track I might end up, and what rates "typically" (if there is such a thing) run? What do attendees usually do? Any information or suggestions would be appreciated.

During the week, no. On weekends, yes.

The sooner the better. This place is on broadway, the main street, and is about a mile from the track. In season, it runs about $200 a night. I've stayed there. It's very well run.

http://www.saratogaturfandspa.com/room.htm

We stayed in Johnstown a couple of nights at the newer Holiday Inn Express, about 30 minutes out, for $100 each night on a weekend. Was cheap and very convenient plus it was an easy drive to the track.

I stay on Wolf Road in Albany - a 20 minute drive to the track.
Lots of places there, by the airport.

Hope you can make it. It's something I start looking forward to every year about a week after the meet ends. It's a lot of fun.

Others can give you info about hotels as I really don't know much about that end of it. If you look back on the old threads from previous years I've tried to give a run down of the places that I thought were good to eat at, but I can tell you I haven't come close to hitting all of them taht are out there. It's a great town and be sure to look up other local attractions because there's all kinds of stuff to do both before and after the races each day.

Having attended the first 3 years, I thought I would go again this year. I called Billw and told him I was going to go but after checking air fares (only cost me 300.00 in 2002) and adding up all the other expenses I am now not so sure. My wife still says I should go. I am going to post my diary for that first year.

Jack

PaceAdvantage 2002 get together
 

This was before Suff went so radical.

Friday, Aug 22

Left from Orange County Airport (Ca) for Toga at 8:15 AM. .BillW and I had planned on getting together Friday night after I arrived in Albany. Called him and canceled. Arrived at the Ramada Motel after 12 midnight.

Saturday, Aug 23 Travers Day

Up at 5:45 AM , went down stairs and met BillW (he hates Microsoft Windows I found out later), my first meeting with a PA board member. After talking with him for 5 minutes I thought if all the guys are as nice as him I was going to have a good time. Then the moment had arrived to meet Suff. He came down at 7:15 after getting in at 4 AM. He was talking a mile a minute on what we were going to do that day. Left for Toga at 8: AM. He told us we were going to make a pass by the race track to show us the layout. Arrived there about 8:30 AM. Thousands of people were already there or walking into the track. It was a carnival atmosphere. Suff was pointing out all the different things to see and do and I knew then I was in for the time of my life. Suff needed to get into track to check on our catered lunch. Told security guard he had a letter from NYRA to go in. Without looking at the letter the Guard waved us in. Went by the tent where we had our tables and he called out to someone over the fence who was there taking care of things, forget who it was.

Now we are off to Whispering Pines where we are going to stay. Met the owners and most of their kids who were there for the weekend. Suff gave us our Toga shirts. Back To Toga. By then it was around 11 Am. It cost us $25.00 to park close in. Went inside the track already wall to wall people. Already quite a few from PA Board there. Got my computer set up and what do you know, I found a wireless connection to the net. I made 3 reports from the track before I got cut off for good.

Back to Travers day. Got to meet PA, Andicap, Roccojack and his friend Charlie, Joe Prunes, Winmanwin, Jotb, Irishlad, Dave Schwartz and his friend Ken and many more that I did not take notes on. Later in the week Bubbles, Purple Power, Budda, David McKenzie, Railbird, Cumberlandblues, Atr, Roger and many more that I talked to for just a moment

Suff, as all of you know by now, hit the 2nd race big time. Later on D Schwartz hit a big one. It seemed like every race someone was collecting on a ticket. As most of you know, I only bet tri’s. By the end of the day on Thursday I had hit 3 tri’s and was ahead a whole $1.50 for the first 5 days. At that point I was 3 for 13 not too bad a average for tri’s. Well I ended up for the week 3 for 19 and down $167.00 but I was having a grand time.


Leaving the track after Travers day was a nightmare and Suff was showing us how not to be a Boston driver. I think he broke all laws in the book getting us out of there. Plus we had to connect up with Dave Schwartz and Ken as they did not know how to get to WP. In the end we got connected up with them and head for WP. Arrived there after dark and settled in.
In the cabin I was in, BillW, Roccojack and Charlie were there also. Most of them went out for dinner but I stayed and printed out my Always info that I needed for the next day. I later found out that Suff bought dinner for all that went. That goes to show you what a giving and caring guy he is.

Sunday, Aug 24

Got up at 6 AM Sunday morning and walked down to the Hudson and took some pictures, beautiful morning with mist rising off water. Walked the grounds for more pics. BillW, Roccojack, Charlie and I went to the city of Corinth to Jack’s Place for breakfast. I had gravy and biscuits with sausage which was pretty good.

Headed back to Toga. Met the other guys who had gone to breakfast at the track at Siro’s for handicapping seminar. Back to our tables under the tent. This time Suff had white tablecloths on the tables, a nice added touch. Met some more new guys from the PA board. Also PA’s wife, Kelly, joined us. Dave Schwartz hit a big winner that paid over a 100.00 and an exacta that paid over 600.00. Suff found a place called Five Points where we bought lunch and drinks everyday. The owner made the cookies herself. This became our routine every day for lunch. Picked up coldcuts and drinks. Suff decided that he did not want us carrying 3 containers of drinks a distance. The first time we pulled up to the gate which supposedly was only for certain people to enter, he just calmly told them that we had lunch and drinks he needed to get inside. They opened the gate for us just like they were supposed to. Other times he just got out and opened it himself. He made a believer out of me, if he decided to do something, in most cases it got done.

Easy exit from track on this day. Went to dinner at the Boston Market with Dave Schwartz, Ken, BillW. Someone told us that we should try Kinko’s for net hookup as Dave also needed to download his pp’s. While they went into store to check it out. I thought I would see if I could pick up a signal outside of Kinko’s. I did , picked up 2 of them. Downloaded my info. Went inside to tell them the good news. They were on the net using a T1 line at no charge to them.

Back to WP. Printed out my info for the next day. I then went over to Dave’s cabin and they were having a great handicapping discussion. In bed at 11:30.


Monday, Aug 25

Up at 6:15 AM. Another group left for breakfast at the track. Went to breakfast again at Jack’s Place. Left for Toga. Same routine with food and drinks. It got so easy doing this, one would have thought we belonged there. Hit my first tri on this day although a small one. Another all around good time at Toga.

Back to WP. Another good night in horse talk at Suff’s cabin. Got in bed late. Glad that Tuesday is a dark day for racing.

Tuesday Aug. 26

Down to the river again and then on to the Hall of Fame Museum which was fantastic..Purplepower, who had joined us the night before, went with us.

Back to WP. Suff, PP, BillW and I went down to the river for some swimming and boating. PP and I could not get back in boat without Suff’s help. BillW took pictures with camcorder of us having a good time on the Hudson A fun time. Went for dinner at Waterhouse Restaurant with Suff, PP, BillW. Great food.

Wednesday, Aug. 27

Up at 3 AM. Got most of my handicapping done and headed to Toga for breakfast with Suff, PP, BillW, Budda, D Schwartz, Ken, Cumberlandblues and Budda. Gosh, what a awesome sight watching all the horses coming out on the track for their workouts. Again lots of pictures.

Suff, Budda and I went to the Oklahoma Training Track and the barns. Again Suff just drove thru the gate like he owned the place and nobody stopped us. We stopped by the Jerkens barn, D. Wayne Lucas barn and then we met The Man Himself, Bobby Frankel. I took a picture of Suff and Frankel, so did Budda. Watched some horses train on the Oklahoma Track. Again lots of pictures. When we got back to Suff’s vehicle, they were ready to tow it away. Seems as though he had parked in the emergency vehicle spot.

Suff wanted to show Budda and I the CV Whitney Polo Field. Again Suff just drove thru the gate even though it said ‘Private’. Went to their clubhouse, walked around and talked to a lady that helped in the kitchen as she was the only one there. She gave us a quick rundown on how Polo was played, very informative. Suff told her we might be back on Friday for Polo Match.


Back to WP. Some of us went down to the beach for a BBQ and bonfire. Suff showed us how not to build a fire. We stayed there until around 10 PM. Went to cabin and got my info together for another day of racing. Suff and BillW went to Albany to pick up CJ. I believe he got in around 1:30 AM.

Thursday, Aug 28

Up at 6:45 AM. Off to Toga for breakfast with Suff, PP, BillW, and CJ
Got to the track later than usual and by the time we had finished breakfast the horses were thru training. Not a horse to be seen. No pictures this morning.

Back to Toga, same routine except now Suff has the Siro’s parking lot attendant in the palm of his hands. He tips the guy and got to park his GMC in a good spot so he can get the food and drinks for the day and get his parking space back. Suff had 2 tickets for the day in the clubhouse and we alternated people after each race to view the races from a good location. It was my first view o f the track with a race being run. Hit another small tri. Still looking for the big one. Another great day at the track

Friday Aug 29

Up early as usual. Went to track for breakfast and back to our usual routine. Finally hit a good tri for 359.00 that put me at 3 for 19 and a whole $1.50 ahead for the first six days. Last race for the day TJ said he had 8.00 left on his voucher so he did not want to go home that night with it. He bet some small 2.00 tri’s and hit a tri for over a 1,000. Great hit. King Mike decided we would go to the Polo game. What an experience that was. Met the same lady who told us all about the game and I think she was surprised that we showed up.

Left for Whispering Pines to get ready to go downtown for drinks. Went to the Adelphi Hotel. When we were ready to leave, King Mike got into a conversation with a 92 year old woman and in her group was her daughter and granddaughter. King Mike invited them to share our tables and food under the tent on Saturday. Back to WP.

Saturday August 30

Went to track for breakfast. Took another tour of barns. Our days are numbered. Today we toured the private box where we are going to spend Sunday watching and betting the horses. On Sunday we will have reached the epitome of our stay at Toga. On our way back to our tent we met trainer Jerkens and got our pictures taken with him.
The three women we met on Friday showed up with a friend from Saratoga and seemed to enjoy themselves hanging out with us.

Zafonic showed up today for a few races. What a guy and easy to talk to.

Went downtown Saratoga for dinner. Hundreds of people on the streets at 10 PM. We dined at a sidewalk cafe after walking around trying to find a place to eat. After that, back to the Adelphi for drinks and talking to the pretty hostess we had met the night before. Back to WP. To bed at 12 midnight.

Sunday August 31

Our last day at Saratoga.

King Mike, Cj, BillW, Rocajack and I drove up to Lake George for breakfast. Beautiful tourist place. We had a good breakfast, but running late. Headed for Whispering Pines so Rocajack could get his car he would be taking CJ to Albany airport later in the day. No food to pick up this morning. We settled into our private box ready for another day of racing. What a unique place. Private bathroom, fridge and our own teller. Cj and Rocajack left about 4 PM and now there is only 3 left. King Mike, BillW and I.

Back to Whispering Pines for our last night. It was King Mike’s birthday and we went to the Water House for dinner. Good food.
Monday, Sept 1

Up at 5 Am. Left for airport and King Mike asked if I had my camera handy. I said not handy but I could dig it out. He wanted to go by the track for some last pictures. Just breaking dawn when we arrived and we got a few more pictures of Saratoga. On to Albany. Said goodbye to King Mike and BillW the 2 guys I had spent the whole week with.

What a trip and all the wonderful guys I met at Saratoga. Its Thursday evening about 5 PM as I finish this up. My wife says my mind is still at Saratoga every day as I haven’t stopped talking about it. My wife is the one that encouraged me to go. She thought I would be missing out on a once in a lifetime opportunity and she was right. Sometimes women know best

Added thoughts on Michael Dudley aka as Sufferindowns


As the one who put this trip together, it seemed to me, he thought he was obligated to see that everyone had a great time regardless of cost. Now here is a man that put out his hard earned money for everyone to have a good time. Some mentioned on Sunday the tables under the tent were great, What did he do. He reserved the tables for the rest of our stay at $48.00 per day. When we attended the handicapping seminars at Siro’s who showed up with coffee or orange juice for all of us, he did. Who put up the money for food and drinks every day, he did. Who paid for breakfast and dinners more times than anyone else, he did. I know he collected some money from people every day. I’m sure he did not get enough to pay for all the food and drinks provided. If someone said they were a little short, he would not take anything from them. I could go on with more stories like this. He is one of the most kindhearted men I have ever had the pleasure of meeting and enjoying a week with. He told me his father taught him to always pay more than his share and never short the other fellow.

This trip to Toga every year is what he lives for. For all that attended I’m sure they could see why he likes to come back every year.

Now you can see why toward the end I called him “King of Saratoga”.

Wrong date that was 2003

Mike (suff ) dudley started this trip and should get the credit for it,and I believe it was all about PA. How many were originals 10 yrs ago and made every trip, count me as 1 of them ,who else made every trip???

Me too, Joe...every year.:ThmbUp:

i agree only Mike could have got this started. He got people together that most had not met each other.

You must listen to your wife!

Yes, Billw it pays to listen to ones wife. Most of the time anyway.

Come on back Trijack. You and I were the only wine drinkers.

Mike Dudley, I am proud to say is doing very well for himself. I heard that he just upscaled to a very expensive apartment in Harvard Sq. area,

:) :) :)

Trijack, you keep a fine journal, I know its something to enjoy looking back on. Memories of fun times are one of the treasures of life. Thanks for sharing.

John

I was wondering what ever had happened to him. Sounds like he might have turned his life around.

Grits, thanks for the kind words. I took my digital camera and video camera and made a DVD of that first year and sent a copy to some of the other members. I also included a slide show of the digital pictures.

Jack

Me too every year. The first year I was only there for the last 4 races on the Saturday afternoon card, but since then I have been there every year for at least 2-3 days. Great Friends , Great Times ! Looking forward to the 10th anniversary :ThmbUp: :ThmbUp: :ThmbUp:

Z

First of all I labled you "Z". Turnouts like this need good people to make it enjoyable and you and your friends were and still are some that make it so enjoyable. When you get people together that never met that come from all over the states you never know how its going to turn out. However mike (pa) has taken over what suff started with help of Al and his wife to make it very sucsessful,and a thank you very much for all their hard work that makes it easy for us to enjoy saratoga. So looking forward to our 10th reunion

Come on Joe !!! if anyone deserves a "Thank You" its you.



The first year Charlie and me with to Toga the Friday before we could stay at the cottages to set up the tables that were scattered all of the tent and get things organized with an extra table with a table cloth for the food and drinks etc. We stayed at a hotel on Broadway. Can't remember the name. Anyway it was a dump cost us $150.00 a night plus tax. we stood in line at a restaurant on Broadway the next morning and paid $8.00 for Scramble eggs and toast. Then you told us where you were staying.Island View Motel, A twenty minute drive to the track. on route 9. Run by a family for years. nice clean rooms, nice shower and plenty of towels. $85.00 dollars a night. No phones,today we all have cellphones. The next morning you took us to a great dinner. What a great breakfast,this dinner even made oatmeal fresh every morning.The only thing that was cheap,was the price and we were stuffed until dinner. You and your lovely Lady took us to Waterwheel for dinner near our motel. Later that night we took a walk down the road from the motel to a great ice cream shop for a cone of delightful homemade ice cream. Our cost for 3 nights 1/3ND of what we paid to stay on Broadway.



Thank you Joe. Joe prunes, A great guy.
:) :) :)

PA ADM, said it was o.k. to post this nice email from Mike Dudley


Hi John,

Great to hear from you! Thank you for the call. I was at the Syracuse-Ohio State game when you called. Afterwards we went to East Coast Grill on Cambridge Street and talked about the old days, including Suffolk Downs, and the various Barrooms we used to roam in that "paid for the service"...meaning that they got the live odds and results called in so that we could sit there and play the ponies while doing other nefarious behaviors! This was long before cell phones and internet , so we felt like true privileged hooligans!

I did go to pace advantage and read the post that you mentioned. It brought back some fond memories. I met some nice people, CJ, Winmanwin, Joe Prunes and many others. Many of those guys I would love to see again. It unfortunate that I fell off the wagon and left a bad taste in some peoples mouths. I get that, and its fine, I wish people well.

Jack Kincer said "it looks like Suff turned his life around"... Jack, which you life are you talking about? I've lived a 100 of them! Being imperfect, in fact, I'm deeply flawed, I'm sure the life I'm leading now will require a good douching at some point as well. Such is life for people of my bent.

John, I moved into my home in Harvard Square four years ago, its gorgeous, and the location is lights out! My office is down in the financial district, in the old Boston Stock Exchange building. I'd love to have a cup of coffee with you, and if you get to Boston or Cambridge please ping me if you can.

Regarding Paceadvantage.com, I believe that all people are good, warm, loving and generous, but sometimes its buried under all the bullshit that this world can Heep on us. In the current crop of PA's posters, they've been double heeped on. I see mostly anger and bitterness in the other threads that I read.

I have not posted there in a long time, occasionally when some big political story makes the news I have checked it out, but after a few minutes of reading I get bored and grateful that I moved away from arguing politics on the internet.

John, I love you buddy, and thank you for being a friend when I really needed a friend, and Charlie as well, and CJ Milkowski as well, he's an angel that guy. I met a lot of very nice people on paceadvantage.com. I've always loved horse players.

I'm down here on Boston, I'm set up nice, I always have a bunch of things I'm into and up to, so if you come down let me know and I'll put something together.

God Bless you John,
Mike "Diamond" Dudley ...michaeldudley@yahoo.com

Glad to hear Suff is doing OK.
He sure started something pretty special 10 years ago. :ThmbUp:

Trijack,

What a great post! I remember that trip so well. The reprise, in 2011 was good but no where near as great as that first year I went.

And Suff was lights-out the best.

LOL - He truly was "King of Saratoga."


We all had such a great time.

BTW, the Waterhouse has fallen on hard times. From what I understand, the parents sold it to the son and he has run it into the ground. Beth and I had dinner there back in 2008 or 2009 and then Jim P. and I went last year.

I might just have to come back this year, even if it is just for 4 or 5 days.


Regards,
Dave Schwartz

Yes, he did. And it carries on. Hope I can make the 10th.

His note reads like one who lives and loves life and every single day it brings.

Finally found diary for 2004
The highlight of this year was Suff getting me into the Jockey's room.

Trijack's Diary of 2004 PaceAdvantage Toga Party

Arrived in Albany Friday night around 9:15 pm. BillW & Stormcadet picked me up at airport which was a surprise. We went to the Ramada where Bill & I had made reservations. Stormcadet joined us for 2 hrs of discussing horses.

Woke up early Saturday & it was raining, left for track at 7 am. Stormcadet (if you missed meeting Stormcadet you missed meeting a great guy) was taking us to the backside to watch workouts & have breakfast. Not too much going on because of the rain.

On Saturday the following was there, Trijack, BillW, Stormcadet, Suff & 2 friends Pete & Danny, PA, Silversow, Bubbles, SamIam & JoeG. Later that night Stuball (a class guy from Wisconsin) joined us, could not find us at track. Observer also visited with us.

Sunday

A Beautiful day. Again went to backstretch with Stormcadet, who seemed to know just about everyone. Lots of horses working out. Saw a lot of trainers. Later went to Siro's for racing seminar. Mailman joined us on one of these days.

Back to Whispering Pines for BBQ at beach with, BillW, Suff and Stormcadet.

Monday

Nothing much for this day except as Bubbles mentioned on the board I made an exacta bet and won and he said he was going to call me ex trijack. I believe this was the morning that Stormcadet, Stuball, BillW and my self went to the track for breakfast and horse work outs. A BBQ at the beach again.

Tuesday

Dark day at the track. Went downtown for lunch and played some Keno. Rocajack & his friend Charlie joined us. We then went to the Harness track & Casino. I played video poker instead of the horse’s, hit a 250.00 jackpot after Rocajack found me a machine to play.

Wednesday

Andicap joined us. Nothing exciting happened this day.

Thursday

Stormcadet returned with his family, Stuball, BillW & I met him to go on the backstretch again. It is nice just to watch those horses work out. Lost or misplaced an 87.00 voucher, Ouch.
Redknave, Zafonic & friend joined us. Two more class guys. This was the day that Suff took me to the jockey's room and we got our picture taken with Pat Day, Migliore, and Castellano. What a great treat this was. All 3 were very friendly. To see all the silks with all the colors was just fantastic.


Friday

Another large group. Trijack, BillW, Stuball, Suff, JoePrunes, Zafonic & friend, Budda, Tom, Redknave, Bubbles with his mom, Andicap, SamIam, Maxspa and Cryptic. Whispering Pines owner found my 87.00 voucher. Life is good

Saturday

Travers Day. A lot of people but not as many as last year. Another good crowd of PA members showed up. The rain came before the last race which was canceled. Budda got soaked had to go back to Whispering Pines to change and later joined us for dinner downtown. Where do all of these people come from? People elbow to elbow, bands playing. Looked to me like a playboys paradise for all the women that was there.

Sunday

Our last big day, 11 PA board members showed up. Track muddy. At the end of the day only 4 left my self Suff, BillW and Budda. Went to the Water House for dinner. We got 2 free dinners that night because we had had some bad meals the week before.

Monday
One last day at the track. Suff , Budda and I got to go into the infield for the start of 6th race on the turf. What an experience that was. That and the jockey’s room were both number 1 in my book. Andicap stopped by with wife and daughter who had come by train on Saturday. Went downtown for dinner and I finally got a hamburger to eat. We sat at a table on the sidewalk and got to watch all the girls go by.

Budda took us back to Whispering pines and showed Suff how to build a good fire even though he had to leave for his home in West Virginia about an 8 hour drive. Sure was a great fire and about 2 hrs later around 9:15 PM the rains came and we had to make a dash for our cabin.

Tuesday

Down to Suff, BillW and myself same as last year. Maxspa (another great guy) had agreed to take us to the airport. Picked us up at 11:00 AM and that ended our stay at Saratoga for another year.

For those that did not get to come should make an extra effort next year. All the guys are just great people and horse players. Al so if I missed someone I am truly sorry. I tried to jot down all the members that were there.

Ok, this cracked me up!

"Andicap joined us. Nothing exciting happened this day."

And speaking of Andy, hope you can make it for a little more time this year.

Reminds me of the time I had to hand Andy some money through the fence so he could get in.

I figured I would get a comment about that day but I left it as I wrote it.
Hope Andicap is not offended

I have to believe that he will take it as the nonsequitor that it is.

He probably even knows what non sequitur means.

;)