Chapter 649

7/16/2023

Childs Play

all about the kids

The horse race track is ususally thought of as a hectic scramble of adults placing bets. Not always. It's very calm and peaceful for the morning workouts.

During the walking tour of the backstretch the host was asking questions and when a youngin answered correctly he would reward them with the guide to trainer saddle cloths. Each trainer has a specific color and logo so he can identify them on the track as they are all mixed together with other trainers. Trainer James Bond uses 007 which the kids loved.

Our group of kids were very sharp and took a keen interest of identifying all the riders. While the docent was speaking an old jockey now workout rider pulled up on his bike. They are all required to wear the flak jackets. The yellow jacket is for Linda Rice #1 winning trainer so far this week. He looks familiar but I can't place him. I'm guessing he used to be a major rider in the circuit, but could be wrong.

Back at the buffet the young girl was enjoying grabbing the items she liked. Believe she might have been TV 6 Weatherman Chet Davis's daugher as I saw them together later. He was reporting from trackside on this first day of racing. I merely went up on a whim as I was awake early. I skipped the $25 breakfast and only bought one donut for a total cost of $2 for the day (everything else free).

Another daughter here. The workout rider's mom was in red, white, and blue. Spoke to her after the horse left. Daughter has been riding five years living the dream. All during Saratoga staying here but works out in Tampa during the winter. 

Back at the back stretch next to the Clare Court built by Mr. Bellmont. He planted a lot of trees around it as he didn't want other trainers to know how he was doing. On the tour this is the only horse you can touch. Lucky used to be a thoroughbred but didn't win much so they made him a Pony- the gentle horses that each thoroughbred is required to have as a sidekick to keep calm going to and from the track. You stay clear of the real racehorses which are typically high strung, spirited and feisty. In the background are some of the 1800 stables available here. While the main track is only open a month and a half training goes on 6 months of the year and you can watch them on the Oklahoma track across Union Avenue.

This Wayward Lane Brewery in Schoharie is the New York State Brewers Conference 2023 Brewery of the Year. It had many peer review winning beers and amassed the most points at the annual Craft Beer competition in Rochester. Believe the current brewers grew up on this farm then turned it into present endeavor. There are disc golf holes all around the grounds and a band stand in background for events.

We had taken Schatzie down there and hiked Vroomans Nose in the high heat. Needed the Dortmunder German style lager to cool off. Met a couple from Schnevus ( the size of Virgil) and their son. They had lived 30 years in Anchorage,  Alaska and thus how the conversation got started. Son was a CIA (culinary) grad but dropped out of that line of work. Dad Air Force & school teacher.

This is a rustic 1800's restored hop house converted to brewery and bar. Head brewmaster Adam Rosenthal served us from behind the bar. Didn't meet the farm manager Andrew Rowles whose family had owned this farm.