My first trip was 30+ years ago. Big Cap weekend.

Big crowds, vibrant energy, one of the best jockey colonies, great weather, immaculate turf course, the downhill chute, big fields, quality racing. We saw some truly great horses. My buddies and I would count down the days months in advance.

Drinking, gambling, dinners at The Derby and Tokyo Wako. A toke or 2. Morning workouts, mingling with jockeys and trainers. Handicapping after dinner and comparing thoughts. We did it every year. The Sunday evening drive to Burbank Airport with a pit stop at In N Out started the countdown to next year.

We haven't been in several years, and its downright depressing to see what SA..........and west coast racing in general has become. We also spent many weekends at GGF/BM in the 80's/90's, and we had a blast at those tracks. They were a lot of fun.

I haven't wagered since the BC, and I don't even have the urge. Never in a million years would I have ever thought I would have so little interest in horse racing.

99% of my wagering dollars go to daily sports betting. I wish it wasn't so, but it is.

It isn't nearly as fun, but racing hasn't given me much of a choice.

P-Dub