Thank you, Marc. A few years ago, a few of us got together for dinner before the Belmont, and Alan Gutterman (head of marketing for Hollywood) asked me if I was rooting for a Triple Crown. I said no, that 1) it was better for racing for horses to come close and not get it, since as soon as one did it wouldn't be that big a deal any more, and 2) I wanted to be the one who finally did it (I know it's selfish, but I'm human). This isn't quite that, and I would much prefer it was a son of Victory Gallop, whom I love more than most members of my family, but it is something.

Much more importantly, as I said in a post- Derby post, I was really glad to see Rich get the credit he deserved. As a rule most Kentucky farm managers don't want anyone but themselves advising their clients, but Rich saw I could be an asset, and he and Elliot became two of my closest friends in the industry. Rich, as the article made clear, was pretty much the guy responsible for Funny Cide's existence-- he made the decision to buy the mare, and to breed her to Distorted Humor. Win Star inherited her and DS when they bought the farm and everything on it, and is listed as the breeder-- but this was a Prestonwood production, meaning Rich Decker.

FC probably won't be carrying my money in the Belmont either, which makes my involvment with his dad work as something of a hedge for me-- not financially (I'm no longer involved), but personally.

Were you at the press party at the ballpark?

Other than that, down and dirty is right.

Did you or the TG guy pick up the lunch check? (Which brings up one of the great Richie Schwartz stories-- Richie made about $60k one day at the track, the guy he was sitting with in the Belmont dining room broke even. When the check came, Richie said "I had a good day. I'll pay two thirds").

Thanks again.



TGJB