The things I’ve learned at Saratoga…
Do it early. It’s a long meet these days but it goes fast. Schedule it, make it happen. Early. Hey, John Panagot, let’s get that beer Sunday and talk about the days when you had to interview Bobby Frankel for The Special. Rich, crank up the boat and make a reservation at Lago Monday. Dylan, pick a tee time for McGregor Tuesday. Tim, fire up the grill, we’ll stop by after tonight’s deadline.
Bring essentials from home. Soap, shampoo, toothpaste, razor blades, extra towels, yeah, that kind of stuff. Don’t get here and think you’ll go shopping. Before you know it, you’ll be using the hand soap from the kitchen in the shower. Hey, I’ve done it.
Don’t leave your credit card at the Paddock Bar.
Don’t bet every race. Bet more less often, rather than less more often. When you don’t have an opinion in a race, that’s an opinion, and don’t do the old $1 four-horse trifecta box for fun. And as the old saying goes, it’s OK to eat your betting money but don’t bet your eating money.
If you leave a tie at home, give it away, you’ll never wear it.
Don’t yell for a number.
Go once around the 5-mile trail at the State Park. Run, power walk, saunter, lope, limp, whatever pace you want. And leave your phone in the car.
Sometimes you need a large Italian from Cardona’s.
Occasionally, don’t watch the race but watch the people watching the race.
Pick up a copy of The Special. It’s free.
Send a postcard to your parents, your kids, your friends.
Catch a show at Caffe Lena. Any show, any genre, any night. They’re the curators, there isn’t a bad show at “the longest continuously operating folk music venue in the United States.” Over the years, I’ve been introduced to Odetta, Dave Von Ronk, Pat Donahue, Ellis Paul, John Gorka, Chris Smither and song-writing lifers there. And, oh yeah, I’ve missed Townes Van Zandt, Patty Larkin, Ani DiFranco, Slaid Cleaves, Peter Mulvey and Tom Rush. Any of you who were here in the ’60s, you missed Dylan twice. Whoops.
Making four right turns can be faster than trying to make a left turn.
Walk with the triumphant jockey from the winner’s circle to the jocks’ room after a big race. Even better, walk with the high-fiving, smack-talking, stop-for-every-selfie Kendrick Carmouche.
Watch the jump race.
Order the special pizza and summer salad at 9 Miles East, the tacos and an IPA from the chalk board at Henry Street Taproom and hit Hattie’s at least once during the meet.
Ride your bike. Lock your bike.
Annie, Miles, Ryan, Jack and Nolan, get here. Now.
Try every vantage point, feel every vibe, at the races. Get dressed up and sit in the boxes on a stakes-filled Saturday. Take your date to lunch on the Turf Terrace, the best view of all. Cool off in the 1863 once, but only once. Pack a cooler and sling a chair to the backside on a Wednesday afternoon. Find your favorite picnic table near the Big Red Spring. Stop by the Fourstardave and catch the late double with Paul Halloran.
Find Jane Hill and her friends (see guest column Thursday) in the cheap seats. Slide The Special through the wooden slats and reserve a green bench at the eighth pole on a sunny afternoon. Stake out a spot on the rail of the paddock to see the horses. Every person at Saratoga is where they want to be and there isn’t a bad seat in the house.
Don’t call it Toga.
Go to the West Side Bar and Grill and tell them Dave sent you.
Stand back and appreciate the consistency, definitiveness and longevity of John Velazquez.
Buy the book at the book signing. The author will appreciate it.
Kids, don’t ask for goggles before the race.
Cross diagonally through the intersection of East and Union at the end of the day but only when the police officers give you the go ahead. Thank the police officers.
Pet a horse.
The GPS will drop you a couple of houses down the street rather than the front door of The Special on East Avenue.
Cheer on Wally Hennessey one night at the harness track.
Breakfast on the porch at the Reading Room. Casual. Try it, you’ll like it, I’ll treat.
Be kind to our interns. They could be industry leaders someday.
Be careful talking about the good old days while appreciating the good old days and remember, these are the good old days.
Be grateful for one more summer at Saratoga.
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