Many thanks to the TG backyard band! Always welcoming people and it is enjoyable to put faces to a name. trackjohn said his best weather days were behind him but loved how engaged in the races you were from the moment we met. After seeing record Derby and Preakness weekend rainfalls, the perfect weather you delivered was much needed and worth the price of admission to the backyard alone.

Magicnight should be a front man for Thorograph traveling the country hawking TG's wares in exchange for travel costs to the big days. He has just the personality for meeting new people, engaging them, and with his industry connections could position himself in prominent places at every track. It would also position you well for your bi-weekly writing requirements! As I said, you and Frank (and richiebee) should do a Bluegrass/Ark Derby next year. It will an experience you will never forget esp if richiebee goes as he knows the terrain of those parts from yesteryear. (April 6 and April 13 presumably)

Belmont3 was as affable as ever and always a pleasure to spend time with you! The fashion was terrific as you say but it was more the lack of fashion on many of those patrons that was unbelievable! Summer time has arrived in New York we can all confirm!

As for the backyard, if it is soon to be deceased as FrankD wrote, it is a real shame. That was my first time to Belmont and it was just a terrific experience like a mini-Saratoga backyard. I don't know of any tracks with a true backyard (trees, grass, picnic tables, benches, tellers, rest rooms, etc) setup like Belmont and Saratoga. (Keeneland's Hill is like a mile walk across the property not next to the building). Belmont and Saratoga's backyards makes for such a great experience even if you have seats inside or in the grandstand also. You can watch the races live in your seats if you want (like the Belmont) and hang out and relax without being confined to a seat all day in the backyard when you want. Casual fans don't want to sit in one seat all day to watch races. And the concrete areas underneath grandstands isn't the fun place either for new fans. If Belmont is doing away with it for other profitable and hospitable measures (hotel?), that's too bad.

But I guarantee Saratoga's backyard will still be alive and well for as far as we can see in our lifetimes. With that said, I'll be there for Travers and hope I meet all of you again and Uncle Bill and richiebee better be there! I might sneak a Whitney or Alabama weekend in if someone twists my arm or if cheap flights still remain for me to buy!