JimP Wrote:
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How could such a good thing
> be totally destroyed from within. The power of
> mismanagement is truly awesome to behold.

Reminds me of the housing meltdown of 10+ years ago. A group of people cared about their own pockets, nothing else mattered. Their greed brought it all down.

The difference is that the federal government bailed them out. That ain't gonna happen here.

I'm just a fan. I have never participated in this sport in any other aspect. I have several friends that have owned horses, all of them are out. Same with those that were dedicated handicappers that pushed a lot of money through the windows. That stopped too.

I used to bet on horses a handful of times a month (once a week maybe a bit more). I couldn't tell you the last time I wagered on a horse race. Breeders' Cup maybe?

My friends and I have have traveled to Santa Anita once a year for the last 30 years, usually Big Cap weekend. The excitement and anticipation, camaraderie, was palpable. We couldn't wait for that trip to get here. Great memories of great races, horses, scores and near misses. Dinners at The Derby, back to the Embassy to smoke a joint and handicap the next day's card. Laughing and arguing, constructing tickets. Getting up at 7am to catch the morning workouts, coming back for breakfast at the Embassy, and then heading off to the track with thoughts of cashing a ticket and watching great horses and jockeys ply their trade.

Shared Belief, Game On Dude, Silver Charm, Free House, Lava Man, Rock Hard Ten, Tiznow, Siphon, Best Pal. California Chrome, Medaglio D'Oro, Point Given, Fusaichi Pegasus. So many others.

Stevens, Smith, Pincay Jr, Eddie D, McCarron, Day, etc..

All against the backdrop of my favorite place on earth with those beautiful mountains beyond the backstretch. Maui or Santa Anita?? Give me Santa Anita.

Now, its hard to get the gang back together. Those days are gone. Nobody really cares anymore. I'm going in 2 weeks for the Santa Anita Derby, and to be honest I don't really give a sh!t. I'll stay with my cousin, have a great time because we always have a great time. But as for the trip to Santa Anita, while I will still enjoy it, it isn't remotely the same.

The more I think about the current state, the more bummed out I get. It didn't have to be this way.

P-Dub