Thursday, February 28, 2013

Sport of Kings Southern Style

 One of best friends is turning 50. We have known each other since age 3 when we met in Nursery School at an Episcopal Church in Gulph Mills, Pennsylvania. Father of friend is a great man and has scheduled a guys trip to Florida to celebrate this half century milestone. This trip comes at an inconvenient time due to work and the start of lacrosse season. It ain't cheap either.

I like traveling and trips of this sort. However, if you are  getting me to leave wife and kids for a weekend and spend the dough...have a plan. I am not talking an anal retentive minute by minute psycho bride itinerary...just a loose set of ideas about what to do with the guys. I can sit by a pool for a while and read...have some rum...but then I want action. I said: "What about 1/2 day deep sea fishing? "  Crickets...
"How about Wave Runners on the Bay?" Nothing...
So, I informed the titular trip leader that if you want to find me Saturday afternoon...I will be sipping a Rum & Tonic and studying the Racing Form at Gulfstream. There are 2 fine stakes races on Saturday at Gulfstream.Hopefully, the guys will join me.

This is one beautiful racetrack; up there with Saratoga and Monmouth and Churchill Downs. Gulfstream is about 25 minutes form our beach front hotel. After a nice session in the Hotel gym, quick swim,steam, sauna and shave, hail me a cab to the Track. I will alternate between the Paddock to check out the potential horses for my wager, an air conditioned seat in the Clubhouse and a spot on the Rail. See you sunburned chumps at dinner...

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hialeah puts that dump to shame.

Jeb said...

Saratoga is on my must visit list.

The Downs are great but if you're mentioning Southern tracks you have to mention Keeneland in Lexington. From my experience Keeneland is prettier than the Downs.