Derby

[countrygal]

Anyone going to watch the Kentucky Derby? I tell myself I'm not gonna watch and then I always end up watching and I cry every time! I'm such a goof! I'm so happy for the horse that won and feel so bad for the ones that didn't. It's a loose, loose situation! I'll be at my son's baseball game this year, so I'll be missing it.

[Clipper]

I have friend here in Bristol that works for UPS. He had on a cap last night, that said something about a horse that is owned by UPS that is running in the derby. I guess they paid over 3 million for this horse and it is supposed to be a serious contender.

I went last year to the OTB parlor near here, and watched it on a "huge" screened simulcast TV and placed my bets. I don't think I will be doing that this year, and will probably just watch it on TV.

[frankcor]

I'll drink a mint julip to celebrate the Derby.

[Clipper]

Yuk! Had one of those once years ago at Saratoga. I guess they thought we were at Churchill Downs. I like hot dogs and I think a beer would be much better in the stands watching a horse race. haha. If I remember correctly, it was like drinking scope on the rocks, haha.

I never claimed to have any class!

[Disgusted-Daily]

I have always thought that horse racing on TV was extremely boring and I can't watch it. On the other hand I was at Vernon Downs and thought it was the best thing ever and had a great time.

[Clipper]

The OLD Vernon Downs was a great place to go in the 70's and 80's. It was so popular that you could spend a half hour getting out of the parking lot after the races.

It was a fun place to go on a Saturday night, even if you only played $2 a race. The smell of the concession stands, the roar of the crowd, building louder and louder as the horses came around the final turn, and the excitement of the horses running neck to neck across the finish line.

I understand now, it is barely surviving and not much fun to attend the races at all anymore. Putting video gambling there might have been an attempt at saving the place, but I can't imagine the horse racing being anything more than an "added attraction" to the other gambling now.

When I drove for Central NY Coach Lines, we used to take the back road through Vernon Center to avoid the traffic that was bumper to bumper and crawling all the way from the parking area to RT 5. We would cruise right along on the back road to Rt. 233 outside Clinton, and then get back on rt 5 at Kirkland, about 15 minutes ahead of those that took route 5 from vernon. A friend of mine says now you can drive to and from the track without any traffic almost anytime.

[lrtill]

Countrygal - if you watched I know you are crying after the tragic outcome for Eight bells. I couldn't believe it! I was cheering her on as she came into second place and the next thing I know she's dead. I wanted my grandson to watch the race with me as it's kinda of a tradition for me but he wanted to play his video game - I'm so glad he didnt watch! He would have been heart broken as I am. What a terrible thing for that beautiful animal. Her owners and trainers must be in agony.

[countrygal]

I'm SO glad I didn't watch. I had my son's little league game to go to. I read about it and saw the pictures. HEARTBREAKING!!! In my opinion, and many others too, they start these horses WAY too early in life. All these horses breaking bones.....HELLO.....and still nobody wants to change the rules. These horses should not be having this problem at such a young age. The program needs to change. I wonder how many more horses will have to break their legs (that the public know about, because it happens more often than anyone knows!) before things change. Sad, sad, sad, sad, sad.

[frankcor]

The Derby is for 2-year olds. Is that too young for purebreds to be racing?

[countrygal]

Yes!!! Normally, horses don't have a solid bone "structure" until about 2 or even 3 years old. These horses are already going stong by 2 years old. They shouldn't be racing them until they're at least 3!!!

[frankcor]

Well then, we ought to get Joe Griffo on the case. Right after he gets ultimate fighting legalized in NY.

[countrygal]

Oh yes, lets. Can you even stand it??!!