I'm So Lucky, Susan Lucci, Sam the Bugler

re: I'm So Lucky, Susan Lucci, Sam the Bugler

jonop8n — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 19:02:16 GMT

I had the chance to meet Sam Grossman when on my first visit to Belmont last year (a photographer friend introduced me to him), and he was so impressive to speak with...down to earth, accessible...real. I have so enjoyed seeing him on broadcasts since two July's ago...particularly when he did a little nod to the camera after playing before the Whitney.

re: I'm So Lucky, Susan Lucci, Sam the Bugler

jj — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 15:56:04 GMT

The weather a bit south of Saratoga yesterday was a balmy 66 degrees. I'd just come up from the south and needless to say I'm in love all over again.

Smoking is just another part of racing to me, as much as the losing tickets on the ground, and people cursing when their horse is last in the stretch. I don't smoke myself. It's one of the smells I identify with, although I'm sure my lungs don't appreciate it.

re: I'm So Lucky, Susan Lucci, Sam the Bugler

Dale H — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 12:58:34 GMT

It was indeed a nice day at Saratoga in spite of the iffy weather. However, there are two things I wish Saratoga officials would do to make a day at "The Spa" more pleasant. The first would be to ban smoking on the apron. I like the rail because I like to take pictures. It is unpleasant, to say the least, to find a good place on the rail only to be surrounded by people exhaling cigarette smoke, or even worse, cigar smoke. Confine smoking to the back side for the enjoyment and health of non-smokers. Second, why are there so many lights out on the infield tote board? It was like that the first week as well. Sometimes it's hard to determine if your horse is 3 to 1 or 8 to 1 without looking at the actual amounts wagered. How difficult is it to replace bulbs?

Those two issues aside, I love Saratoga and look forward to my visit each year. My major regret is that Monday will be my last day there for 2008. But...there's 2009.