Spring Hangover

I was a Chrome head. I fell for the hype because the hype that was created just gobbled folks like me up. Looking for that hero once again, I fell hard when it all came down to it. Folks like me are tired of being cynical, suspicious, and reactionary. I went back to Disneyland for a while and bought the idea of a mouse in pants once again. Yeah, California Chrome, and the spring racing season took a lot out of me. Since I’ve seen three Triple Crowns in my life, I have always expected it to just happen like it did when I was a kid.

Oh sure, I got to see someone go nuts on TV, but that just added to my disappointment. To the casual fan, the end of spring racing season ended looking like a dog and pony wrestling show. It hurt.

So has my knee that was replaced, and for some reason that has left me a little melancholy as well, but at physical therapy the miracle happened. My therapist, Nicole (who is a very attractive young lady) tells me that she heard on the local news that Saratoga opens in 30 days. My heart quickened, my blood flowed. I knew that, but well, Nicole is Nicole.

When Saratoga opens, I can park my car on someone’s back lawn on Nelson Avenue for 10 bucks and walk into the track with my new knee held high. I’ll know what to do, where to go, what to eat and get the best cocktails. Saratoga is my home track. If your track runs seasonally you know the excitement that is building.

It’s like that day in April when you can picture the Cubs and the Mets battling for the National League Pennant. I can leave the fallen dreams of spring behind and ride into a summer of hope and rebirth, to that spot in the cool grandstand seat and a cocktail or whatever you drink in hand. 

We've got some big racing all over the country coming up, let the good times roll. And remember, you can always find me upstairs in the grandstand with a twist of lemon. Riders up!