My final Tuesday at Colonial was somewhat eventful compared to the usual nights.
The first race went off as planned, but a heavy storm soon took over and flooded the track. We even had lightning strike an office next to mine, causing all the betting to go down momentarily. The races were delayed an hour while the storm passed and were all moved to the sloppy dirt track. That meant a lot of work for me, since I had to constantly update the website with changes to the races (off the turf and scratches).
I also had to write a newsletter to send out for the week as well as a closing release on the end of the meet titles. I had to wait to write the final one since two of the titles were so close -- leading trainer and leading apprentice rider were both won by only one win.
I was fortunate enough for the meet to not see any breakdowns. Molly saw some pretty awful ones, but the worst I saw was a horse flipping over a railing after he got loose. However, one of the last races saw Luis Garcia accidently come over on his younger brother's horse and cause that horse to stumble, dropping Geovany Garcia. Geovany got trampled, and had to be loaded up on the ambulance. It was pretty heartwrenching watching Luis jump right off his horse after galloping out and running the whole way down the track to where his brother lay. It turned out that he was fine, however. His agent even called up to me seconds after it happened to see if I knew anything, but all I had heard was that he was up and in the truck.
Entries and results were sent, and I left my key in the office before saying my goodbyes. I worked over 200 hours at Colonial and it feels good to be done. Now if I can just catch up on my summer reading...
Friday, August 7, 2009
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Day Twenty-One: Handicapping Classic
Saturday was the day we had been warned about -- the Handicapping Classic. Apparently, it was supposed to be the worst day for us considering all the people who would be asking questions and would be upset about losing out on the $8,000 and the trip to Vegas.
I arrived at 9:30am, with a missed call on my phone from Darrell. I tried calling him back but, since he never answers and didn't answer once again, I went ahead upstairs and started stuffing envelopes again. Molly texted me that there was an accident and she would be a few minutes late, but I told her not to worry since Darrell wasn't answering his phone. About twenty minutes later, she texts me again saying that Darrell told her to go straight to the Jockey Club, where the Handicapping Classic would be held. When I walked down there, Darrell, Molly, Pete, Peter, and Jerry T. were all gathered around a table having a meeting. Darrell looked at me in complete disbelief, pointed at his wrist, and whistled as everyone looked my way. Before I could say anything, Molly told him I'd been upstairs for a half hour and had been trying to call him. He got a little nicer and said "Oh, well, you missed the meeting," but I'm sure I looked like the dumb intern who couldn't follow direction. I wish Molly and I had been informed of a 'meeting.' Jerry T. tried to give me a low-down of what was going on that day, but I was still completely confused and Molly wasn't too sure of what was going on, either.
I went back up to the Press Box and had to get scratches/changes put up online as soon as possible. Once those were up, I printed out a page and Darrell made copies of them to give to the handicappers so they would know the scratches and changes ahead of time. After that, I went to the Jockey Club and helped Jerry T. greet people. He kept saying how important confidence was and how I had the look but was too shy and, because I have anywhere from -5% to 2% confidence on any given day, that wasn't too encouraging. But we got into a system of welcoming people, always asking where they were from and telling them the layout of the Jockey Club. Every person I went up to was angry about something...one lady was weirded out that I asked where she was from, another was upset that he was a horseman and couldn't sit in the horsemen's section because he didn't bring his license, another couldn't find a table with an internet hook-up, etc. But as much as I hated it, I had to be down there because I was waiting on the betting tellers to come in. Once they got in, I had to get 100 copies each of the scratches at Belmont and Monmouth, since they would also be betting the races there for the contest.
After that was taken care of and after a lot of running around for people who had torn up betting slips accidently or lost their ID numbers, I unhooked the printer from the press box and brought it down so that Ryan could use it for the day.
Once bets started coming in, we had to organize the registration numbers numerically and get them into the right piles. My job for the day was reading the registration numbers and the horses they chose to Ryan so that he could insert them into the computer. It's difficult to explain, but it was very difficult keeping everything together. The handicappers had to bet on six mandatory Colonial races, so those were the worst because we had 250 bets coming in all at once. Otherwise, the races were optional and they weren't so bad. So for the entire day, I sat beside Ryan and read out numbers: "31 - 5," "67 - 8," "101 - 11." My voice was practically gone by the end of the day, since we were going nonstop with the exception of maybe twenty minutes. Ryan and I also ran into a couple issues where Molly or Pete had sorted a bet into the wrong track and we input it incorrectly or someone didn't bet a mandatory race and we were giving people the wrong horses because we missed our mistake, but we worked everything out. We also tried to post a leaderboard after every group of races at the three tracks.
By the end of the day, we were rolling and got the final results out within maybe 10 minutes. Ryan said that in previous years when Darrell's old assistant, Kyle, had run the contest, people were very angry and waited for results for around an hour. So Ryan and I ended up getting a lot of 'thank yous' from the handicappers and tons of people came up to tell us we did a great job keeping up with everything. It felt horrible at the time and my voice is a little gone as I'm typing this, but I suppose it was worth it. Three people walked out with trips to Vegas for the NTRA/DRF Handicapping Classic and thousands of dollars went with them and seven others.
After everything was cleaned up, Darrell told me I had to write a story on the two stakes that ran that day, so I went upstairs while Molly clocked out. I wrote the release (and the typo at the end is killing me), and I waited for an hour for photos from the photographer but none came. At around 7:30pm, I sent out the release to the media and clocked out for the drive home.
I arrived at 9:30am, with a missed call on my phone from Darrell. I tried calling him back but, since he never answers and didn't answer once again, I went ahead upstairs and started stuffing envelopes again. Molly texted me that there was an accident and she would be a few minutes late, but I told her not to worry since Darrell wasn't answering his phone. About twenty minutes later, she texts me again saying that Darrell told her to go straight to the Jockey Club, where the Handicapping Classic would be held. When I walked down there, Darrell, Molly, Pete, Peter, and Jerry T. were all gathered around a table having a meeting. Darrell looked at me in complete disbelief, pointed at his wrist, and whistled as everyone looked my way. Before I could say anything, Molly told him I'd been upstairs for a half hour and had been trying to call him. He got a little nicer and said "Oh, well, you missed the meeting," but I'm sure I looked like the dumb intern who couldn't follow direction. I wish Molly and I had been informed of a 'meeting.' Jerry T. tried to give me a low-down of what was going on that day, but I was still completely confused and Molly wasn't too sure of what was going on, either.
I went back up to the Press Box and had to get scratches/changes put up online as soon as possible. Once those were up, I printed out a page and Darrell made copies of them to give to the handicappers so they would know the scratches and changes ahead of time. After that, I went to the Jockey Club and helped Jerry T. greet people. He kept saying how important confidence was and how I had the look but was too shy and, because I have anywhere from -5% to 2% confidence on any given day, that wasn't too encouraging. But we got into a system of welcoming people, always asking where they were from and telling them the layout of the Jockey Club. Every person I went up to was angry about something...one lady was weirded out that I asked where she was from, another was upset that he was a horseman and couldn't sit in the horsemen's section because he didn't bring his license, another couldn't find a table with an internet hook-up, etc. But as much as I hated it, I had to be down there because I was waiting on the betting tellers to come in. Once they got in, I had to get 100 copies each of the scratches at Belmont and Monmouth, since they would also be betting the races there for the contest.
After that was taken care of and after a lot of running around for people who had torn up betting slips accidently or lost their ID numbers, I unhooked the printer from the press box and brought it down so that Ryan could use it for the day.
Once bets started coming in, we had to organize the registration numbers numerically and get them into the right piles. My job for the day was reading the registration numbers and the horses they chose to Ryan so that he could insert them into the computer. It's difficult to explain, but it was very difficult keeping everything together. The handicappers had to bet on six mandatory Colonial races, so those were the worst because we had 250 bets coming in all at once. Otherwise, the races were optional and they weren't so bad. So for the entire day, I sat beside Ryan and read out numbers: "31 - 5," "67 - 8," "101 - 11." My voice was practically gone by the end of the day, since we were going nonstop with the exception of maybe twenty minutes. Ryan and I also ran into a couple issues where Molly or Pete had sorted a bet into the wrong track and we input it incorrectly or someone didn't bet a mandatory race and we were giving people the wrong horses because we missed our mistake, but we worked everything out. We also tried to post a leaderboard after every group of races at the three tracks.
By the end of the day, we were rolling and got the final results out within maybe 10 minutes. Ryan said that in previous years when Darrell's old assistant, Kyle, had run the contest, people were very angry and waited for results for around an hour. So Ryan and I ended up getting a lot of 'thank yous' from the handicappers and tons of people came up to tell us we did a great job keeping up with everything. It felt horrible at the time and my voice is a little gone as I'm typing this, but I suppose it was worth it. Three people walked out with trips to Vegas for the NTRA/DRF Handicapping Classic and thousands of dollars went with them and seven others.
After everything was cleaned up, Darrell told me I had to write a story on the two stakes that ran that day, so I went upstairs while Molly clocked out. I wrote the release (and the typo at the end is killing me), and I waited for an hour for photos from the photographer but none came. At around 7:30pm, I sent out the release to the media and clocked out for the drive home.
Day Twenty: PokerFest Finals
Friday started an hour late for me due to traffic, so I joined Molly out front as soon as I arrived. We were registering the qualifiers for the PokerFest that evening, and did so from 2-7:45pm.
After that, Darrell actually spent some time with us up in the Press Box. We had to make envelopes for every entrant of the Handicapping Classic -- 154 were registered, but there was enough room for 250. It was a very tedious process of circling a table, stuffing papers and making sure we got the right betting forms in the right envelopes. Once Darrell left us a few minutes later, we were able to rest a bit before having another go. When the races ended around 9:30pm, he came up again and tried to help. We decided to get to number 200 by the end of the night, so we stayed late doing that and decided to come in at 9:30am the next morning.
After that, Darrell actually spent some time with us up in the Press Box. We had to make envelopes for every entrant of the Handicapping Classic -- 154 were registered, but there was enough room for 250. It was a very tedious process of circling a table, stuffing papers and making sure we got the right betting forms in the right envelopes. Once Darrell left us a few minutes later, we were able to rest a bit before having another go. When the races ended around 9:30pm, he came up again and tried to help. We decided to get to number 200 by the end of the night, so we stayed late doing that and decided to come in at 9:30am the next morning.
Day Nineteen: Preparation for Pokerfest
Tuesday was very slow, as usual.
Darrell had sent me an e-mail to write a release on the two year old stakes races, so I finished that early and got the scratches and changes posted online. He just about had a heart attack when he asked what I was doing and I said nothing, having finished everything, but he calmed down. A little later, he came up to the press box and needed me to scan a photo of a couple who was getting married at the track on Saturday so that I could do an ad for the program that welcomed everyone to their wedding that day. I also had to make copies of the forms and checks from every entrant in the Handicapping Classic that was scheduled for Saturday.
I spent the rest of the evening betting the races with Keith, who was spending his last day at Colonial before moving back up to MD for the Laurel Park meet.
Darrell had sent me an e-mail to write a release on the two year old stakes races, so I finished that early and got the scratches and changes posted online. He just about had a heart attack when he asked what I was doing and I said nothing, having finished everything, but he calmed down. A little later, he came up to the press box and needed me to scan a photo of a couple who was getting married at the track on Saturday so that I could do an ad for the program that welcomed everyone to their wedding that day. I also had to make copies of the forms and checks from every entrant in the Handicapping Classic that was scheduled for Saturday.
I spent the rest of the evening betting the races with Keith, who was spending his last day at Colonial before moving back up to MD for the Laurel Park meet.
Day Eighteen: Virginia Derby Day
Saturday started at 7am, with Molly and I arriving early to help set up for the festivities going on. I worked with Pete for a bit to get the Fancy Hat Contest tent sent up, which took awhile, and hung up signs for the band sponsors. When we finally finished at around 11:30am, I had enough time to run up to the Press Box and post the scratches/changes online before changing into my dress and getting back down to the Fancy Hat tent to register people. There were seven categories and three different judging times, so there was a lot of coordination to be done. At 3pm, Molly took the first group back to the stage to be judged while I took more entries, and we continued that until 4:30pm. Immediately after, I got the prizes for the contest and took them to the winners' circle, where Molly had winners of the Fancy Hat Contest (21 in total). They were then interviewed by Darrell on the JumboTron.
Molly and I got a half-hour break to go back up to the Press Box right after, but I had to be down at the winners' circle for the Virginia Oaks and the Derby to get interviews for the press releases I had to write. I called Darrell and reminded him about the prize wheel since he had forgotten, and Molly took care of that so I could write my articles. She also recorded the interviews that were done on TV by TVG since it was so hard to hear the interviews I got for the Turf Cup.
After writing on the Virginia Oaks and the Derby, I sent the news releases out to the media and had to stay late until around 10pm before all the media upstairs left.
Molly and I got a half-hour break to go back up to the Press Box right after, but I had to be down at the winners' circle for the Virginia Oaks and the Derby to get interviews for the press releases I had to write. I called Darrell and reminded him about the prize wheel since he had forgotten, and Molly took care of that so I could write my articles. She also recorded the interviews that were done on TV by TVG since it was so hard to hear the interviews I got for the Turf Cup.
After writing on the Virginia Oaks and the Derby, I sent the news releases out to the media and had to stay late until around 10pm before all the media upstairs left.
Day Seventeen: Nicanor Scratches
Friday started at 10:30am for Molly and I. As soon as I arrived, I got a call from Darrell saying that Nicanor, Barbaro's full brother and our big news story for the VA Derby, had scratched and that he would have a press release up to me soon to send out.
After that, Molly and I did some preparation for the Fancy Hat Contest that would be held the next day, which was nothing but tedious printing and cutting.
Around 1, Darrell sent Molly to the rest stop up the road to try to point some people in our direction. We had Nicanor's saddle towel since he scratched, which is now worth a lot of money, so that helped. I was going to head that way around 2, but things got a little hectic with doing ads and going on a wild search around Colonial for a prize wheel. After I found that, I had to design pieces for it for a giveaway Darrell was doing to the local OTB's the next day.
Races started at 6 PM, so things slowed down around then and I spent the rest of the night sending entries/results and answering calls from people about the upcoming PokerFest Handicapping Classic.
After that, Molly and I did some preparation for the Fancy Hat Contest that would be held the next day, which was nothing but tedious printing and cutting.
Around 1, Darrell sent Molly to the rest stop up the road to try to point some people in our direction. We had Nicanor's saddle towel since he scratched, which is now worth a lot of money, so that helped. I was going to head that way around 2, but things got a little hectic with doing ads and going on a wild search around Colonial for a prize wheel. After I found that, I had to design pieces for it for a giveaway Darrell was doing to the local OTB's the next day.
Races started at 6 PM, so things slowed down around then and I spent the rest of the night sending entries/results and answering calls from people about the upcoming PokerFest Handicapping Classic.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Press Box and the Fifth Floor
This is the Press Box on the fifth floor. It's pretty messy inside, but I do my best to find time and cleanup. The whole thing is covered in win photos of horses, so it kept Molly and I pretty entertained for awhile there.
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This is the fifth floor, right outside the Press Box. Mostly everyone who works up there hangs out there in between races -- Molly and I, Dave (the announcer), Keith, Bill, the TV guys, etc. Keith and Bill do their chart calling out of the booth to the right, and the TVs to the left always have races going. Of course, there are programs and beer all over the tables. The track is out the main window, and Molly and I usually sit on the tables and watch the action (action includes: horses racing outside and guys inside throwing things around and yelling loudly after losing lots of money). There's also a machine to the right that takes bets and it probably has about $100 of mine.-----------------------------
This is the view of the track. Maybe not the coolest, but definitely a good one. The track is the second largest (at 1 1/4 miles) and has the widest turf course in North America.
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This is about how close we see the horses from our window. Not too bad. Plus, we don't even really need to watch because we can hear Keith or Bill doing the chart calling and always know where each horse is, and we can always go to the TV room to see the up-close replays if we'd really like. But, of course, I'm glued to the races.
Day Sixteen: Capital Ale House a No-Go
I was supposed to arrive at Colonial a few hours early (of course, Darrell never told me when even though I asked him several times) to write a few stories on the Kitten's Joy and Virginia Oaks before working at the Capital Ale House in Richmond from 5-8 PM. From there, I was supposed to drive an hour to Molly's house, where I'd spend the night before heading back to Colonial to work Wednesday. Wednesday was supposed to be a short day of barn notes, where I briefly talk to trainers with stakes horses running about how they're doing, what their schedule looks like, etc. And then I would head home that night.
However, that never happened. I woke up today with a swollen eye and, because my parents weren't comfortable with me working in the middle of Richmond in the first place, they called Darrell and told him I wasn't coming. They really aren't too pleased with where he's been sending Molly and I -- Molly had just returned from a pot-filled warehouse in a really bad area the night before -- so they figured the eye-swollen-shut would have to be something Darrell could deal with. I really don't think he'd have wanted me at the Ale House as the sole representative of Colonial Downs, anyway. I seriously would have scared people away.
So after several panic-stricken phone calls from Darrell this morning, he sent me the past performances for all the stakes on Saturday and had me write two stories and a newsletter. He also needed me to find some news stations in Charlottesville, DC, and Harrisonburg.
Since I'm not driving three hours tomorrow just to do barn notes, I'll be at home. I'm pretty sure he's sending me stuff to do here, though...
As for the stories, he had told me to mix up the language, which I was always nervous about doing since he called my writing "hokey" and "bloggy." And Keith, who has worked for newspapers and written tons of press releases, told me that press releases are basically the same thing over and over and I shouldn't worry about it. Needless to say, I was suprised when Darrell told me I did a nice job on both stories. Maybe the second nice thing he's said all summer?
Vanquisher Headlines Competitive Kitten’s Joy Field
(---- NEW KENT, VA ---- 7/14/09 ----) Kinsman Stable’s Vanquisher looks to win the seventh running of the $50,000 Kitten’s Joy Stakes as he faces nine rivals in the 1 1/16 mile turf race on Saturday at Colonial Downs. The race, for three year olds and up, is the first of three stakes races on the card.
Trained by Gregory Griffith, the five year old gelding won the Tallahassee Stakes earlier this year at Gulfstream after closing from eighth to first through the stretch. Most recently, Vanquisher finished third in the Blazing Sword Stakes at Calder and has now finished on the board in eleven of twenty-two starts. Alan Garcia has the mount aboard the 7-2 morning line favorite.
Independent George, the 4-1 Graham Motion-trained second choice, has not posted a win since the Sussex Stakes in May ’08 and has faced tough competition in the United Nations (Gr. I) and the Nijinsky (Gr. II). The six year old gelding most recently finished second in the Henry Clark Stakes and sixth in the Eclipse Stakes (Gr. III). Edgar Prado, who has the most Virginia Derby wins of any jockey, will be aboard.
9-2 third choice is Jungle Fighter, an eight year old gelding who is well-versed at Colonial Downs with two wins and one third in three tries. The Justin Nixon trainee most recently finished second after weakening late in the Da Hoss Stakes last month at Colonial. The track’s second leading rider, Sheldon Russell, has the mount.
Tiger Woodman is the 5-1 fourth choice with the nation’s leading money rider, Julien Leparoux, aboard. After a third place finish in the Chester House Stakes this year, the seven year old gelding trained by George Arnold II finished seventh in the Tin Man. He has finished on the board in twelve of twenty-nine lifetime starts.
Rounding out the field are Izzy Speaking, winner of last month’s Da Hoss Stakes at Colonial, along with Baltimore Bob, Rockaby Bay, Jazz in the Park, Brickell, and Mint Slewlep.
The Kitten’s Joy is the ninth of twelve races on Colonial’s Saturday program, with the $750,000 Virginia Derby (Gr. II) as the featured race. First race post time is 12:55 PM.
Shared Account Looks to Steal Wide Open Virginia Oaks
(---- NEW KENT, VA ---- 7/14/09 ----) Sagamore Farms’ Shared Account has been slated as the 3-1 morning line favorite for the sixth running of the $150,000 Virginia Oaks (Gr. III) on Saturday at Colonial Downs. The 1 1/8 mile turf race for three year old fillies will go to post at 5:14 PM with a field of eleven.
Trained by Graham Motion, the Pleasantly Perfect filly finished third after a rough trip in her most recent race, the Perfect Sting Stakes. The race, over a yielding Belmont course, was the filly’s first turf start. Edgar Prado, who won the Oaks last year with I Lost My Choo, will have the mount aboard Shared Account.
At 7-2, Hamilton Smith’s Blind Date is the second choice. Having recently switched to turf after running well on dirt, the Not For Love filly won both the Hookedonthefeelin and Hilltop Stakes before finishing seventh in her most recent start, the Boiling Springs (Gr. III), at Monmouth. She has won four of six lifetime starts and will have the riding services of Kent Desormeaux.
John Kimmel-trained Fast Tigress, the 4-1 third choice, last won an allowance at Gulfstream in January of this year. She has since finished on the board in only one of five stakes races, the Appalachian (Gr. III), and has won two of her eleven lifetime starts. Tyler Baze will be aboard the Hold That Tiger filly.
Excelente is the fourth choice at 9-2 for trainer Darrin Miller. Second in the American 1,000 Guineas in May, the Exceed and Excel filly weakened to sixth in her most recent start, the Indiana Downs Distaff. She has been on the board in three of eight lifetime starts, with Cornelio Velasquez up for the mount.
Oh So Nice, a Jonathan Sheppard-trainee who will have the riding services of leading money rider Julien Leparoux, is the fifth choice at 5-1.
Super Poni, Katara, Glorious Deal, Spanish Wedding, Combinate, and Five Diamonds round out the field.
The Virginia Oaks is the tenth of twelve races on Colonial’s Saturday program, with the $750,000 Virginia Derby (Gr. II) as the featured race.
However, that never happened. I woke up today with a swollen eye and, because my parents weren't comfortable with me working in the middle of Richmond in the first place, they called Darrell and told him I wasn't coming. They really aren't too pleased with where he's been sending Molly and I -- Molly had just returned from a pot-filled warehouse in a really bad area the night before -- so they figured the eye-swollen-shut would have to be something Darrell could deal with. I really don't think he'd have wanted me at the Ale House as the sole representative of Colonial Downs, anyway. I seriously would have scared people away.
So after several panic-stricken phone calls from Darrell this morning, he sent me the past performances for all the stakes on Saturday and had me write two stories and a newsletter. He also needed me to find some news stations in Charlottesville, DC, and Harrisonburg.
Since I'm not driving three hours tomorrow just to do barn notes, I'll be at home. I'm pretty sure he's sending me stuff to do here, though...
As for the stories, he had told me to mix up the language, which I was always nervous about doing since he called my writing "hokey" and "bloggy." And Keith, who has worked for newspapers and written tons of press releases, told me that press releases are basically the same thing over and over and I shouldn't worry about it. Needless to say, I was suprised when Darrell told me I did a nice job on both stories. Maybe the second nice thing he's said all summer?
Vanquisher Headlines Competitive Kitten’s Joy Field
(---- NEW KENT, VA ---- 7/14/09 ----) Kinsman Stable’s Vanquisher looks to win the seventh running of the $50,000 Kitten’s Joy Stakes as he faces nine rivals in the 1 1/16 mile turf race on Saturday at Colonial Downs. The race, for three year olds and up, is the first of three stakes races on the card.
Trained by Gregory Griffith, the five year old gelding won the Tallahassee Stakes earlier this year at Gulfstream after closing from eighth to first through the stretch. Most recently, Vanquisher finished third in the Blazing Sword Stakes at Calder and has now finished on the board in eleven of twenty-two starts. Alan Garcia has the mount aboard the 7-2 morning line favorite.
Independent George, the 4-1 Graham Motion-trained second choice, has not posted a win since the Sussex Stakes in May ’08 and has faced tough competition in the United Nations (Gr. I) and the Nijinsky (Gr. II). The six year old gelding most recently finished second in the Henry Clark Stakes and sixth in the Eclipse Stakes (Gr. III). Edgar Prado, who has the most Virginia Derby wins of any jockey, will be aboard.
9-2 third choice is Jungle Fighter, an eight year old gelding who is well-versed at Colonial Downs with two wins and one third in three tries. The Justin Nixon trainee most recently finished second after weakening late in the Da Hoss Stakes last month at Colonial. The track’s second leading rider, Sheldon Russell, has the mount.
Tiger Woodman is the 5-1 fourth choice with the nation’s leading money rider, Julien Leparoux, aboard. After a third place finish in the Chester House Stakes this year, the seven year old gelding trained by George Arnold II finished seventh in the Tin Man. He has finished on the board in twelve of twenty-nine lifetime starts.
Rounding out the field are Izzy Speaking, winner of last month’s Da Hoss Stakes at Colonial, along with Baltimore Bob, Rockaby Bay, Jazz in the Park, Brickell, and Mint Slewlep.
The Kitten’s Joy is the ninth of twelve races on Colonial’s Saturday program, with the $750,000 Virginia Derby (Gr. II) as the featured race. First race post time is 12:55 PM.
Shared Account Looks to Steal Wide Open Virginia Oaks
(---- NEW KENT, VA ---- 7/14/09 ----) Sagamore Farms’ Shared Account has been slated as the 3-1 morning line favorite for the sixth running of the $150,000 Virginia Oaks (Gr. III) on Saturday at Colonial Downs. The 1 1/8 mile turf race for three year old fillies will go to post at 5:14 PM with a field of eleven.
Trained by Graham Motion, the Pleasantly Perfect filly finished third after a rough trip in her most recent race, the Perfect Sting Stakes. The race, over a yielding Belmont course, was the filly’s first turf start. Edgar Prado, who won the Oaks last year with I Lost My Choo, will have the mount aboard Shared Account.
At 7-2, Hamilton Smith’s Blind Date is the second choice. Having recently switched to turf after running well on dirt, the Not For Love filly won both the Hookedonthefeelin and Hilltop Stakes before finishing seventh in her most recent start, the Boiling Springs (Gr. III), at Monmouth. She has won four of six lifetime starts and will have the riding services of Kent Desormeaux.
John Kimmel-trained Fast Tigress, the 4-1 third choice, last won an allowance at Gulfstream in January of this year. She has since finished on the board in only one of five stakes races, the Appalachian (Gr. III), and has won two of her eleven lifetime starts. Tyler Baze will be aboard the Hold That Tiger filly.
Excelente is the fourth choice at 9-2 for trainer Darrin Miller. Second in the American 1,000 Guineas in May, the Exceed and Excel filly weakened to sixth in her most recent start, the Indiana Downs Distaff. She has been on the board in three of eight lifetime starts, with Cornelio Velasquez up for the mount.
Oh So Nice, a Jonathan Sheppard-trainee who will have the riding services of leading money rider Julien Leparoux, is the fifth choice at 5-1.
Super Poni, Katara, Glorious Deal, Spanish Wedding, Combinate, and Five Diamonds round out the field.
The Virginia Oaks is the tenth of twelve races on Colonial’s Saturday program, with the $750,000 Virginia Derby (Gr. II) as the featured race.
Day Fifteen: 5k Run
I'm considering myself really lucky that I remember anything from Saturday.
I woke up at 4:30am so I could shower, eat, and be at the New Kent Winery by 7am for the Virginia Derby 5k Run that morning. Molly and I sat around while we waited for Darrell to arrive thirty minutes later, and then we did nothing but register runners for the race for the next two hours.
At around 9:15am, Darrell told me to head over to the track because I was to give a tour at 10:30am. He figured I knew the backside pretty well since I had worked there two years ago, and wanted me to give a 2 1/2 hour tour to an attorney and some boy scouts. That sounds easy enough, but there isn't anything about horse racing that can interest some 7 year olds for 2 1/2 hours. Basically, it was horrible. I arrived at the guard gate ready for the tour and, thankfully, they were late and shaved some time off the tour. There were four adults and three boys, and they had all been to the track before and had all taken backside tours before. Thankfully, trainer Stephanie Nixon talked to them for a good half hour, showing them what blinkers are and what poultice felt like. She let them feed some of the horses and pet them, which really entertained them. She also had some silks laying around that they got to try on. After that, I got track superintendent J.D. on the phone and he had some time for us, so I walked the group across the track to the shop. J.D. was great with the kids, showing them how a starting gate worked and what the dirt track is made of. He then loaded the kids in the starting gate and I got to push the button that opens the gates (I'm suprised the little guys didn't go deaf). They loved it, and went running out of them several times. We then had about an hour until the first race, which they were supposed to view from right beside the starting gate. The timing was going great, since horses head over to the paddock about forty-five minutes before the race and the group still needed to eat lunch, so I was very grateful for Stephanie and J.D. Once the group got their lunch at the track kitchen, Darrell gave me a call and told me he needed me in the picnic area a.s.a.p, so I instructed the group on what to do next and headed over to the frontside.
By the time I got over there, the picnic area was under control and Molly and I headed back up to the Press Box to watch most of the races. I called Delaware a few more times with no response, and I was still undergoing my futile search to get Darrell some Derby glasses.
By the end of the night, Molly and I were absolutely done. She fell asleep sitting up at the computer, and we seriously considered taking shifts sleeping on a couch in the TV room where some guys we know work. Keith and Bill, the Equibase guys, felt awful just looking at us and our slow motion movements. So by the time I had to sit down and write a story on the Punch Line Stakes, I was really gone. I sat for a few minutes and tried to think of how to start it before Keith came in, took one look at me and said "Ah jeez, get out of the way" and had me get out of my chair. I told him he wasn't writing it for me, but of course he wasn't going to listen. The title and first paragraph of this story are all thanks to Keith, and I guarantee the rest wouldn't have happened if he hadn't had started it for me. Molly and I are so thankful for how those guys look out for us.
I clocked out at about 10:30pm and I have no idea how I drove 1 1/2 hours without completely falling asleep (I scared myself a few times), but I managed. It's a very good thing I took off work at my other job the next day...
I woke up at 4:30am so I could shower, eat, and be at the New Kent Winery by 7am for the Virginia Derby 5k Run that morning. Molly and I sat around while we waited for Darrell to arrive thirty minutes later, and then we did nothing but register runners for the race for the next two hours.
At around 9:15am, Darrell told me to head over to the track because I was to give a tour at 10:30am. He figured I knew the backside pretty well since I had worked there two years ago, and wanted me to give a 2 1/2 hour tour to an attorney and some boy scouts. That sounds easy enough, but there isn't anything about horse racing that can interest some 7 year olds for 2 1/2 hours. Basically, it was horrible. I arrived at the guard gate ready for the tour and, thankfully, they were late and shaved some time off the tour. There were four adults and three boys, and they had all been to the track before and had all taken backside tours before. Thankfully, trainer Stephanie Nixon talked to them for a good half hour, showing them what blinkers are and what poultice felt like. She let them feed some of the horses and pet them, which really entertained them. She also had some silks laying around that they got to try on. After that, I got track superintendent J.D. on the phone and he had some time for us, so I walked the group across the track to the shop. J.D. was great with the kids, showing them how a starting gate worked and what the dirt track is made of. He then loaded the kids in the starting gate and I got to push the button that opens the gates (I'm suprised the little guys didn't go deaf). They loved it, and went running out of them several times. We then had about an hour until the first race, which they were supposed to view from right beside the starting gate. The timing was going great, since horses head over to the paddock about forty-five minutes before the race and the group still needed to eat lunch, so I was very grateful for Stephanie and J.D. Once the group got their lunch at the track kitchen, Darrell gave me a call and told me he needed me in the picnic area a.s.a.p, so I instructed the group on what to do next and headed over to the frontside.
By the time I got over there, the picnic area was under control and Molly and I headed back up to the Press Box to watch most of the races. I called Delaware a few more times with no response, and I was still undergoing my futile search to get Darrell some Derby glasses.
By the end of the night, Molly and I were absolutely done. She fell asleep sitting up at the computer, and we seriously considered taking shifts sleeping on a couch in the TV room where some guys we know work. Keith and Bill, the Equibase guys, felt awful just looking at us and our slow motion movements. So by the time I had to sit down and write a story on the Punch Line Stakes, I was really gone. I sat for a few minutes and tried to think of how to start it before Keith came in, took one look at me and said "Ah jeez, get out of the way" and had me get out of my chair. I told him he wasn't writing it for me, but of course he wasn't going to listen. The title and first paragraph of this story are all thanks to Keith, and I guarantee the rest wouldn't have happened if he hadn't had started it for me. Molly and I are so thankful for how those guys look out for us.
I clocked out at about 10:30pm and I have no idea how I drove 1 1/2 hours without completely falling asleep (I scared myself a few times), but I managed. It's a very good thing I took off work at my other job the next day...
Day Fourteen: Poker 'N' Ponies
Friday evening was our Poker 'N' Ponies event, so Molly and I sat outside from 3-7:30PM taking entries after we got the scratches and changes put in online. We had 393 of 400 slots taken, so it was a pretty good turnout.
After doing that and waiting for any late arrivals, I went upstairs to the Press Box to make some entry forms for the Virginia Derby 5k Run that was to be held the next day. I also had to call up Delaware Park for some win photos of Nicanor. Darrell was pretty certain that he was coming for the Virginia Derby and, because he's Barbaro's full brother, a lot of media attention will be on him and we needed photos of him right away. I couldn't get in contact with anyone, however, and I don't think anyone's been able to reach them since I first tried five days ago.
Darrell had a hotel lined up for me that night, so I arrived there at about 10:30 with a wake-up call of 4:30am.
After doing that and waiting for any late arrivals, I went upstairs to the Press Box to make some entry forms for the Virginia Derby 5k Run that was to be held the next day. I also had to call up Delaware Park for some win photos of Nicanor. Darrell was pretty certain that he was coming for the Virginia Derby and, because he's Barbaro's full brother, a lot of media attention will be on him and we needed photos of him right away. I couldn't get in contact with anyone, however, and I don't think anyone's been able to reach them since I first tried five days ago.
Darrell had a hotel lined up for me that night, so I arrived there at about 10:30 with a wake-up call of 4:30am.
Day Thirteen: Advances
Tuesday brought on more preparation for the weekend.
I had to write two advances -- one for the "Zeke" Ferguson on Sunday, and one for the Virginia Derby on the 18th. The "Zeke" advance has yet to be posted online since our webmaster forgot about it, and the VA Derby one was sort of skipped over since I had to rewrite it. Darrell had me write it when we weren't sure of what horses were coming and, when we became a little more certain, I had to re-do it. This is the finalized version.
I also did another version of the newsletter and wrote an unexciting article about the jockeys. Nothing eventful happened except for Homeister taking the lead, and Darrell needed a story done.
Much of the day was just manual labor. Water bottles needed to be dropped off at the OTBs in the surrounding areas, so Darrell had me get those from storage and carry them to wherever they needed to go. Six had to go down 4 flights of stairs and out to the parking lot to a woman's car (Molly and I always say how fun it is carrying heavy boxes in four inch heels while guys watch us struggle). Five others had to go around to different floors. And then Darrell sprang on me that I had to deliver a box each to Hampton and Indian River, which my parents weren't at all happy about considering they're in bad areas. So they met me halfway home (45 minutes) and took me around to the OTBs. Let's just say it wasn't a good night and we got home at 2am.
I also tried taking the chart call from Keith. It sounds so easy and I'm so frustrated that I messed it up. I got confused at one of the poles and completely lost it. I'm going to try next time and hopefully I'll get it -- I'm determined to work for Equibase some day!
I had to write two advances -- one for the "Zeke" Ferguson on Sunday, and one for the Virginia Derby on the 18th. The "Zeke" advance has yet to be posted online since our webmaster forgot about it, and the VA Derby one was sort of skipped over since I had to rewrite it. Darrell had me write it when we weren't sure of what horses were coming and, when we became a little more certain, I had to re-do it. This is the finalized version.
I also did another version of the newsletter and wrote an unexciting article about the jockeys. Nothing eventful happened except for Homeister taking the lead, and Darrell needed a story done.
Much of the day was just manual labor. Water bottles needed to be dropped off at the OTBs in the surrounding areas, so Darrell had me get those from storage and carry them to wherever they needed to go. Six had to go down 4 flights of stairs and out to the parking lot to a woman's car (Molly and I always say how fun it is carrying heavy boxes in four inch heels while guys watch us struggle). Five others had to go around to different floors. And then Darrell sprang on me that I had to deliver a box each to Hampton and Indian River, which my parents weren't at all happy about considering they're in bad areas. So they met me halfway home (45 minutes) and took me around to the OTBs. Let's just say it wasn't a good night and we got home at 2am.
I also tried taking the chart call from Keith. It sounds so easy and I'm so frustrated that I messed it up. I got confused at one of the poles and completely lost it. I'm going to try next time and hopefully I'll get it -- I'm determined to work for Equibase some day!
Monday, July 6, 2009
Day Twelve: Fourth of July
Saturday, the Fourth of July, was even more nuts
I arrived at 1:30pm and immediately got to cutting up more Braves entry forms since I figured we'd need even more. When Molly came, we waited around until someone got to the Jockeys' Room and was able to give us the changes to post online.
Afterward, Darrell told me I had to write three stories that night while Molly escorted Miss Teen Virginia around once again. The first story, which was simply on the different festivities going on during the Virginia Derby, was really easy to do and I got it done early. The second, an inside look at all the potential horses running in the VA Derby, was also easy and interesting. It was the big news on the top floor, too, with everyone wanting to know who would possibly be running. The top three finishers of the Turf Cup should be returning as well as Nicanor, the full brother to Barbaro, which is exactly what Darrell has been wanting all year. There should be a huge crowd coming out and a lot of money bet on Nicanor only for the fact that he's Barbaro's full brother.
Again, Molly was off escorting while I manned the Press Box, and I had a pretty laid back day as I watched the races with the Equibase guys and a friend they had brought. He was really great to talk to and actually had Rachel Alexandra tattooed on his arm -- a total racetracker.
For the 7th race, I had to be down at the winners' circle again to help the singer out before she sang her version of the ball game song and to instruct the jockeys on the t-shirt toss. That went much more smoothly than the night before.
For the eighth race, the singer was singing God Bless America and then had to draw a winner for the trip to Georgia. I was on the JumboTron for the drawing and a couple Sweet Briar girls saw me and practically blew up my phone with the 'what on earth are you doing on TV?!''s.
I went back to the Press Box for the ninth race. Molly took some friends there to watch a race since there was nothing to do, and I told Keith, one of the Equibase guys, that I was going to learn his job and take over the top floor. He showed me how to do his job and he'll hopefully be teaching me every chance I get; he's the main one at this internship who's actually teaching me about the track. He's a chart caller, so he makes up the official charts for Equibase. He and Bill go back and forth taking down, at every racing pole, the distance that each horse is from the lead (they essentially do their own race call to one another to listen to). It's more difficult than it looks but he said that, once I get the chart taking down, calling the race is easy. I'm looking forward to my next day at work because he's going to give me a few charts to try on my own.
After that, I went to get the flyers to pass out from the previous night from the Program Office. No one knew what I was talking about but we finally found them. Molly and I went back to passing them out at the main gates until we realized that we were the only ones down there, so I headed back to the Press Box before fireworks were over to write a story on the Brookmeade Stakes, and Molly stayed after for about five minutes before coming back up. Before long, she called Darrell to ask him a question and he started yelling about us not being down there. We had no idea why the Guest Services people were sitting around doing nothing, but apparently we were supposed to be doing their jobs that night. We passed out flyers for another hour or so, with me encountering a drunk man offering me money to go home with him, before we'd both had enough (Molly with Darrell, me with drunk guys). I went back up and finished my story, sending it to the media as Molly sent out results.
We were able to clock out at 11:30pm but traffic didn't clear out until an hour later. I finally got home at around 2:30am and again had a long, hard sleep.
I also noticed in a print version of the Blood Horse I received in the mail that Nick Hahn was able to use some of the quotes I got him for his article. Small victories.
10 hours.
I arrived at 1:30pm and immediately got to cutting up more Braves entry forms since I figured we'd need even more. When Molly came, we waited around until someone got to the Jockeys' Room and was able to give us the changes to post online.
Afterward, Darrell told me I had to write three stories that night while Molly escorted Miss Teen Virginia around once again. The first story, which was simply on the different festivities going on during the Virginia Derby, was really easy to do and I got it done early. The second, an inside look at all the potential horses running in the VA Derby, was also easy and interesting. It was the big news on the top floor, too, with everyone wanting to know who would possibly be running. The top three finishers of the Turf Cup should be returning as well as Nicanor, the full brother to Barbaro, which is exactly what Darrell has been wanting all year. There should be a huge crowd coming out and a lot of money bet on Nicanor only for the fact that he's Barbaro's full brother.
Again, Molly was off escorting while I manned the Press Box, and I had a pretty laid back day as I watched the races with the Equibase guys and a friend they had brought. He was really great to talk to and actually had Rachel Alexandra tattooed on his arm -- a total racetracker.
For the 7th race, I had to be down at the winners' circle again to help the singer out before she sang her version of the ball game song and to instruct the jockeys on the t-shirt toss. That went much more smoothly than the night before.
For the eighth race, the singer was singing God Bless America and then had to draw a winner for the trip to Georgia. I was on the JumboTron for the drawing and a couple Sweet Briar girls saw me and practically blew up my phone with the 'what on earth are you doing on TV?!''s.
I went back to the Press Box for the ninth race. Molly took some friends there to watch a race since there was nothing to do, and I told Keith, one of the Equibase guys, that I was going to learn his job and take over the top floor. He showed me how to do his job and he'll hopefully be teaching me every chance I get; he's the main one at this internship who's actually teaching me about the track. He's a chart caller, so he makes up the official charts for Equibase. He and Bill go back and forth taking down, at every racing pole, the distance that each horse is from the lead (they essentially do their own race call to one another to listen to). It's more difficult than it looks but he said that, once I get the chart taking down, calling the race is easy. I'm looking forward to my next day at work because he's going to give me a few charts to try on my own.
After that, I went to get the flyers to pass out from the previous night from the Program Office. No one knew what I was talking about but we finally found them. Molly and I went back to passing them out at the main gates until we realized that we were the only ones down there, so I headed back to the Press Box before fireworks were over to write a story on the Brookmeade Stakes, and Molly stayed after for about five minutes before coming back up. Before long, she called Darrell to ask him a question and he started yelling about us not being down there. We had no idea why the Guest Services people were sitting around doing nothing, but apparently we were supposed to be doing their jobs that night. We passed out flyers for another hour or so, with me encountering a drunk man offering me money to go home with him, before we'd both had enough (Molly with Darrell, me with drunk guys). I went back up and finished my story, sending it to the media as Molly sent out results.
We were able to clock out at 11:30pm but traffic didn't clear out until an hour later. I finally got home at around 2:30am and again had a long, hard sleep.
I also noticed in a print version of the Blood Horse I received in the mail that Nick Hahn was able to use some of the quotes I got him for his article. Small victories.
10 hours.
Day Eleven: Racing to the Stars & Stripes
Friday was absolutely nuts.
After my usual 1 1/2 hour commute turned into a 3 1/2 hour commute due to a tunnel leak and normal July 4 weekend traffic, I arrived at Colonial with Darrell all flustered. The gates were opening at 3 PM that day and he needed thousands of the entry forms I had made up for people wearing Braves apparel printed out, cut up, and down to Guest Services in time for opening. I was able to get that done just as Molly was arriving, a little late from the traffic jam on 64. Darrell had us set out a box on each floor to put the entry forms in and, since we couldn't find the boxes we last used for the recliner giveaway, I had to make new (read: completely unclassy-looking) boxes out of whatever I could find in the Press Box. We got those out and called down to Adam in the Jockeys' Room to get the scratches and changes so we could put them up online for bettors around the nation to see.
Molly and I also had to get 100 t-shirts from the storage room, freeze 4, and fold the rest of them up for later in the evening. We never used the frozen 4 (they're still sitting in the freezer, actually) but we got the other 94 rolled up and tied with rubber bands.
I also had to call the Kentucky Derby Store about ordering some glasses that Darrell requested, but no one was there because of the holiday. Hopefully they'll call back Monday or Tuesday.
Again, I had a pretty laid back day as I manned the Press Box and Molly was off escorting Miss Virginia and Miss Teen Virginia. By the time the 7th race rolled around, I had to have 50 t-shirts down at the winners' circle. Because the theme of the night was "Racing to the Stars and Stripes" and because we were doing a "Tribute to the Richmond Braves," we made the 7th race special, a la the seventh inning. A singer came to sing a special song she had written to the tune of Take Me Out To The Ball Game, and we had jockeys throw t-shirts out into the crowd immediately after the song. Miss Virginia and Miss Teen Virginia were also interviewed on the JumboTron in addition to Bob McDonnell, a Republican candidate for Governor.
Because fireworks were starting after the 8th race, Darrell had us go to the main gates immediately and start handing out vouchers for $55 worth of free stuff to be redeemed at the local OTBs. Molly and I did this until the fireworks were over.
When I got to the Press Box, I realized there was nothing of note to write about that day except for two jockeys each winning two races that night. That's really nothing, considering Darrell really only wants me to write about jockeys winning multiple races when they win four or more, but I had no choice. What an awful article. Molly sent out the results and called the papers while I did this, and we got out of the track at around 11pm to a complete traffic jam. I made my way to the hotel Darrell got for me and, needless to say, slept very, very well.
9 hours
After my usual 1 1/2 hour commute turned into a 3 1/2 hour commute due to a tunnel leak and normal July 4 weekend traffic, I arrived at Colonial with Darrell all flustered. The gates were opening at 3 PM that day and he needed thousands of the entry forms I had made up for people wearing Braves apparel printed out, cut up, and down to Guest Services in time for opening. I was able to get that done just as Molly was arriving, a little late from the traffic jam on 64. Darrell had us set out a box on each floor to put the entry forms in and, since we couldn't find the boxes we last used for the recliner giveaway, I had to make new (read: completely unclassy-looking) boxes out of whatever I could find in the Press Box. We got those out and called down to Adam in the Jockeys' Room to get the scratches and changes so we could put them up online for bettors around the nation to see.
Molly and I also had to get 100 t-shirts from the storage room, freeze 4, and fold the rest of them up for later in the evening. We never used the frozen 4 (they're still sitting in the freezer, actually) but we got the other 94 rolled up and tied with rubber bands.
I also had to call the Kentucky Derby Store about ordering some glasses that Darrell requested, but no one was there because of the holiday. Hopefully they'll call back Monday or Tuesday.
Again, I had a pretty laid back day as I manned the Press Box and Molly was off escorting Miss Virginia and Miss Teen Virginia. By the time the 7th race rolled around, I had to have 50 t-shirts down at the winners' circle. Because the theme of the night was "Racing to the Stars and Stripes" and because we were doing a "Tribute to the Richmond Braves," we made the 7th race special, a la the seventh inning. A singer came to sing a special song she had written to the tune of Take Me Out To The Ball Game, and we had jockeys throw t-shirts out into the crowd immediately after the song. Miss Virginia and Miss Teen Virginia were also interviewed on the JumboTron in addition to Bob McDonnell, a Republican candidate for Governor.
Because fireworks were starting after the 8th race, Darrell had us go to the main gates immediately and start handing out vouchers for $55 worth of free stuff to be redeemed at the local OTBs. Molly and I did this until the fireworks were over.
When I got to the Press Box, I realized there was nothing of note to write about that day except for two jockeys each winning two races that night. That's really nothing, considering Darrell really only wants me to write about jockeys winning multiple races when they win four or more, but I had no choice. What an awful article. Molly sent out the results and called the papers while I did this, and we got out of the track at around 11pm to a complete traffic jam. I made my way to the hotel Darrell got for me and, needless to say, slept very, very well.
9 hours
Day Ten: Preparation for July 4
Tuesday brought on the usual slow night for an evening at the races.
I had to do an advance on the $50,000 Brookmeade Stakes to be held that Saturday, so I went ahead and finished that early. I contacted Jeff, the track photographer, to get a photo of the favorite winning her last race and sent the press release to the media.
Darrell also needed me to do a few different versions of an ad to be put in the program for the first ever trackside buffet in addition to a full-page ad on the 'Chill on Derby Hill' party for the Virginia Derby. They had only sold four tickets to the party and needed to get word out about it. I also needed to make up an entry form for the track to hand out on Friday and Saturday to those wearing Braves apparel so they could have a chance to win a trip to Georgia to see the new Braves play.
There was a lot of spare time after that, so I sat around with the Equibase guys and watched a lot of the races. Darrell then came up with a folder of the Handicapping Classic entrants who had entered through the mail and had me sort through them and send the list of entrants to Ryan, our webmaster, to update online. He also asked me to have a stab at the online newsletter, which is sent out weekly to 7,000+ people online. The edited version of what I did is below.
My day ended after answering a few calls and sending out entries/results to the newspapers.
COLONIAL DOWNS NEWSLETTER
July 2, 2009Volume 3, Issue 25
“Racing to the Stars & Stripes” at Colonial Downs on Friday July 3rd & Saturday July 4th
Colonial Downs presents an evening of horse racing, live music, and fireworks this holiday weekend with special 6:00 PM post times! A card of 8 horse races takes place on Friday, and 9 on Saturday, immediately followed by a trackside concert and a fireworks display launched from between the infield ponds!
Reserve your umbrella table for 4 right next to the dirt track in our new “Blast Zone” area for best viewing. Included in the $40 “Blast Zone” package is an umbrella table with 4 seats, 4 hot dog vouchers, 4 soft drink vouchers, and 4 “hard hats.” You can order online at colonialdowns.com, at Guest Services in person, or by calling 804-966-7223, ext. 1032.
We are also featuring a Tribute to the Richmond Braves! We invite all Braves fans to Colonial Downs for the evening of fireworks, and anyone wearing Braves apparel will be given an entry form to win a trip to Gwinnett, Georgia to see the new AAA Braves team play -- trip courtesy of Air Tran. We’ll do a special 7th race stretch song both nights, and on Friday, Richmond favorite Susan Greenbaum will sing “Take me out to the Racetrack”!
There’s plenty of simulcast action this weekend too---the track will open at3 PM Friday and at 12 Noon on Saturday for all the great stakes available from around the country.
$10 “All You Can Eat” Trackside Feast!
Visit Colonial Downs on Saturday, July 11, enjoy a ten-race card and feast on our first ever trackside buffet in a giant party tent. For only $10, you can indulge in all the hot dogs, hamburgers, barbecue, chips, cookies, iced tea & lemonade you can eat and drink all afternoon. The featured race is the $50,000 Punch Line Stakes, with wagering available on major stakes via simulcast from around the country at Arlington, Belmont, Calder and Hollywood Park.
Countdown to the Virginia Derby – Two Weeks!
The biggest day of racing on Virginia’s annual calendar is almost here! Saturday, July 18 brings the top three year old turf horses to Colonial Downs for the 12th annual $750,000 Virginia Derby (Gr. II).
Compete in the Virginia Lottery’s Fancy Hat Contest and be one of 21 ladies or gentlemen to win $100 in Corvette Cash Tickets! Categories include Best Homemade, Most Outrageous, the Southern Belle, the True Couture, the Derby Male, Most Eco-Friendly, and Best Virginia Themed.
Don’t forget to order your tickets for the two great Virginia Derby parties, on sale now!
Chill on Derby Hill
“Bring your own party” this year to the track’s first turn area. A $20 advance sale ticket allows you to bring your own adult beverages, cooler, picnic food, chairs and grill to this unique Derby Day setting. Party with the Richmond Ski Club from 11 AM- 7 PM at the “Chill on Derby Hill”! The ticket price goes up to $30 the day of. Kids 12 and under are free.
Buy Online at colonialdowns.com or call 804-966-7223, ext. 1032
Party Zone
An all inclusive ticket to the season’s biggest day, where you will celebrate with food, drinks, and plenty of fun. The Party Zone ticket includes Derby Day admission, a race program, tipsheet, deluxe barbecue lunch, 3 beer/win/soft drink tickets, live music on stage all afternoon with NRG Krysys, a Colonial Downs Cooler Bag and a Come Back Admission Pass. The ticket price goes up to $35 day of; kids 12 and under are $15
Buy Online at colonialdowns.com or call 804-966-7223, ext. 1032
7.5 hours
I had to do an advance on the $50,000 Brookmeade Stakes to be held that Saturday, so I went ahead and finished that early. I contacted Jeff, the track photographer, to get a photo of the favorite winning her last race and sent the press release to the media.
Darrell also needed me to do a few different versions of an ad to be put in the program for the first ever trackside buffet in addition to a full-page ad on the 'Chill on Derby Hill' party for the Virginia Derby. They had only sold four tickets to the party and needed to get word out about it. I also needed to make up an entry form for the track to hand out on Friday and Saturday to those wearing Braves apparel so they could have a chance to win a trip to Georgia to see the new Braves play.
There was a lot of spare time after that, so I sat around with the Equibase guys and watched a lot of the races. Darrell then came up with a folder of the Handicapping Classic entrants who had entered through the mail and had me sort through them and send the list of entrants to Ryan, our webmaster, to update online. He also asked me to have a stab at the online newsletter, which is sent out weekly to 7,000+ people online. The edited version of what I did is below.
My day ended after answering a few calls and sending out entries/results to the newspapers.
COLONIAL DOWNS NEWSLETTER
July 2, 2009Volume 3, Issue 25
“Racing to the Stars & Stripes” at Colonial Downs on Friday July 3rd & Saturday July 4th
Colonial Downs presents an evening of horse racing, live music, and fireworks this holiday weekend with special 6:00 PM post times! A card of 8 horse races takes place on Friday, and 9 on Saturday, immediately followed by a trackside concert and a fireworks display launched from between the infield ponds!
Reserve your umbrella table for 4 right next to the dirt track in our new “Blast Zone” area for best viewing. Included in the $40 “Blast Zone” package is an umbrella table with 4 seats, 4 hot dog vouchers, 4 soft drink vouchers, and 4 “hard hats.” You can order online at colonialdowns.com, at Guest Services in person, or by calling 804-966-7223, ext. 1032.
We are also featuring a Tribute to the Richmond Braves! We invite all Braves fans to Colonial Downs for the evening of fireworks, and anyone wearing Braves apparel will be given an entry form to win a trip to Gwinnett, Georgia to see the new AAA Braves team play -- trip courtesy of Air Tran. We’ll do a special 7th race stretch song both nights, and on Friday, Richmond favorite Susan Greenbaum will sing “Take me out to the Racetrack”!
There’s plenty of simulcast action this weekend too---the track will open at3 PM Friday and at 12 Noon on Saturday for all the great stakes available from around the country.
$10 “All You Can Eat” Trackside Feast!
Visit Colonial Downs on Saturday, July 11, enjoy a ten-race card and feast on our first ever trackside buffet in a giant party tent. For only $10, you can indulge in all the hot dogs, hamburgers, barbecue, chips, cookies, iced tea & lemonade you can eat and drink all afternoon. The featured race is the $50,000 Punch Line Stakes, with wagering available on major stakes via simulcast from around the country at Arlington, Belmont, Calder and Hollywood Park.
Countdown to the Virginia Derby – Two Weeks!
The biggest day of racing on Virginia’s annual calendar is almost here! Saturday, July 18 brings the top three year old turf horses to Colonial Downs for the 12th annual $750,000 Virginia Derby (Gr. II).
Compete in the Virginia Lottery’s Fancy Hat Contest and be one of 21 ladies or gentlemen to win $100 in Corvette Cash Tickets! Categories include Best Homemade, Most Outrageous, the Southern Belle, the True Couture, the Derby Male, Most Eco-Friendly, and Best Virginia Themed.
Don’t forget to order your tickets for the two great Virginia Derby parties, on sale now!
Chill on Derby Hill
“Bring your own party” this year to the track’s first turn area. A $20 advance sale ticket allows you to bring your own adult beverages, cooler, picnic food, chairs and grill to this unique Derby Day setting. Party with the Richmond Ski Club from 11 AM- 7 PM at the “Chill on Derby Hill”! The ticket price goes up to $30 the day of. Kids 12 and under are free.
Buy Online at colonialdowns.com or call 804-966-7223, ext. 1032
Party Zone
An all inclusive ticket to the season’s biggest day, where you will celebrate with food, drinks, and plenty of fun. The Party Zone ticket includes Derby Day admission, a race program, tipsheet, deluxe barbecue lunch, 3 beer/win/soft drink tickets, live music on stage all afternoon with NRG Krysys, a Colonial Downs Cooler Bag and a Come Back Admission Pass. The ticket price goes up to $35 day of; kids 12 and under are $15
Buy Online at colonialdowns.com or call 804-966-7223, ext. 1032
7.5 hours
Monday, June 29, 2009
Day Nine: Preparation for Hooters
Tuesday was a slow night at Colonial as usual.
I had to write an advance for the Da Hoss Stakes that would run that Saturday. Again, I picked through past performances and got that done pretty quickly. It's nice working on the top floor with the Equibase guys because Keith, the man who makes the morning line odds for Colonial, always interjects some good points about the horses. We sat for awhile and talked about how tough of a race it was to handicap and for him to decide on the morning line.
Afterwards, I had to think up some questions for the "Are you smarter than a Hooters girl?" competition that would be held on Saturdays' Hooters Day. Most of them dealt with horse racing (how long a furlong is, what a weanling is, who last won the Triple Crown), but I also had to interject some Hooters questions (where the first one was opened, the names of the hot wing sauces, which racetrack doesn't have a Hooters nearby). I also had to count out the wristbands for the PokerFest that would be held on Friday.
I was supposed to work the PokerFest Friday, be at a Hooters in Williamsburg Saturday for the escorted motorcycle ride to the track, and then finish out the Hooters Day at Colonial, but I was in my hometown in PA for a funeral instead. As far as I know, everything went smoothly this weekend and the July 4th weekend looks super busy.
I had to write an advance for the Da Hoss Stakes that would run that Saturday. Again, I picked through past performances and got that done pretty quickly. It's nice working on the top floor with the Equibase guys because Keith, the man who makes the morning line odds for Colonial, always interjects some good points about the horses. We sat for awhile and talked about how tough of a race it was to handicap and for him to decide on the morning line.
Afterwards, I had to think up some questions for the "Are you smarter than a Hooters girl?" competition that would be held on Saturdays' Hooters Day. Most of them dealt with horse racing (how long a furlong is, what a weanling is, who last won the Triple Crown), but I also had to interject some Hooters questions (where the first one was opened, the names of the hot wing sauces, which racetrack doesn't have a Hooters nearby). I also had to count out the wristbands for the PokerFest that would be held on Friday.
I was supposed to work the PokerFest Friday, be at a Hooters in Williamsburg Saturday for the escorted motorcycle ride to the track, and then finish out the Hooters Day at Colonial, but I was in my hometown in PA for a funeral instead. As far as I know, everything went smoothly this weekend and the July 4th weekend looks super busy.
Day Eight: Fathers' Day
Sunday was Fathers' Day, so Colonial Downs decided to honor some military fathers by inviting the fathers and their families into a suite in the Jockey Club and giving away a recliner after each race.
The day started with printing out thousands of entry forms for the recliners and getting them to guest services, a task that had to be repeated throughout the day since so many men entered.
About 11 o'clock, the three limos with the military families inside pulled up and Molly and I introduced ourselves and led them to their suite. Molly was to be with them for the entire day, escorting a family to the winners' circle for each race.
I had the job of collecting all the entry forms from the boxes on each of the floors and getting them to the winners' circle just before each race. After the winners' circle presentations, Darrell and I were on camera with a military father and his family as they were interviewed and then drew a winner for the recliner giveaway. It was constant running around for me since I had to collect entries on four floors and the races were so close together.
Near the end of the day, Nick Hahn called me and needed the recordings of the interviews I had gotten the previous day. He was on deadline for the Blood Horse, one of the biggest publications in the industry. Unfortunately, he wasn't at the track and I couldn't get an MP3 for him, so I had to stay late and transcribe all the interviews. Much of it was inaudible because of the wind and because Leparoux is a soft-spoken Frenchman, but I sent him a pretty good list of quotes from the day.
Afterwards, I had to get together 80 general admission tickets to deliver to a radio station near my home the following morning for a giveaway they were doing. I also had to write a script for some news stations to use with the tapes Molly was delivering -- most sports desks at the news stations don't know horse racing, so I had to make the main talking points apparent so they would be more likely to use the tapes that night (which they did).
The day started with printing out thousands of entry forms for the recliners and getting them to guest services, a task that had to be repeated throughout the day since so many men entered.
About 11 o'clock, the three limos with the military families inside pulled up and Molly and I introduced ourselves and led them to their suite. Molly was to be with them for the entire day, escorting a family to the winners' circle for each race.
I had the job of collecting all the entry forms from the boxes on each of the floors and getting them to the winners' circle just before each race. After the winners' circle presentations, Darrell and I were on camera with a military father and his family as they were interviewed and then drew a winner for the recliner giveaway. It was constant running around for me since I had to collect entries on four floors and the races were so close together.
Near the end of the day, Nick Hahn called me and needed the recordings of the interviews I had gotten the previous day. He was on deadline for the Blood Horse, one of the biggest publications in the industry. Unfortunately, he wasn't at the track and I couldn't get an MP3 for him, so I had to stay late and transcribe all the interviews. Much of it was inaudible because of the wind and because Leparoux is a soft-spoken Frenchman, but I sent him a pretty good list of quotes from the day.
Afterwards, I had to get together 80 general admission tickets to deliver to a radio station near my home the following morning for a giveaway they were doing. I also had to write a script for some news stations to use with the tapes Molly was delivering -- most sports desks at the news stations don't know horse racing, so I had to make the main talking points apparent so they would be more likely to use the tapes that night (which they did).
Day Seven: Turf Cup Day
Saturday was a pretty good day at Colonial. We had a ton of scratches in the stakes races, but we got a decent crowd of 5,000 or so. Molly was responsible for taking care of people down at the trackside party while I stayed in the Press Box with the media since I was better able to answer questions about horse racing.
I got the media passes ready in the morning for everyone coming -- reporters from the Thoroughbred Times, Daily Press, Eclipse, etc. -- and made sure that I had enough programs and media guides ready for them. I did regular office duties, made an ad, and did whatever else Darrell needed for much of the day until the first stakes race, the Buckland.
For the Buckland, I took the tape recorder down to the winners' circle and recorded the interviews that Nick Hahn did with the winning connections. I also did this for the All Along Breeders' Cup Stakes and the Turf Cup, in addition to recording the interviews of other reporters.
In between the stakes races and after the Turf Cup, I headed back to the Press Box to start writing the press releases. Darrell and I ultimately decided it would be best to combine all three of the races into one press release since the main headline of the first two stakes races was that the leading rider in the country, Julien Leparoux, won them both after picking up the mounts at the last minute. The press release can be viewed here.
I got the media passes ready in the morning for everyone coming -- reporters from the Thoroughbred Times, Daily Press, Eclipse, etc. -- and made sure that I had enough programs and media guides ready for them. I did regular office duties, made an ad, and did whatever else Darrell needed for much of the day until the first stakes race, the Buckland.
For the Buckland, I took the tape recorder down to the winners' circle and recorded the interviews that Nick Hahn did with the winning connections. I also did this for the All Along Breeders' Cup Stakes and the Turf Cup, in addition to recording the interviews of other reporters.
In between the stakes races and after the Turf Cup, I headed back to the Press Box to start writing the press releases. Darrell and I ultimately decided it would be best to combine all three of the races into one press release since the main headline of the first two stakes races was that the leading rider in the country, Julien Leparoux, won them both after picking up the mounts at the last minute. The press release can be viewed here.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Day Six: All Along and Buckland stories
Tuesday was probably the first time I felt like I really did something right at this internship. Darrell needed two one-page stories done on both the All Along Breeders' Cup Stakes and the Buckland Stakes to go to press that night, so I got started immediately. I got the odds on Equibase.com and picked through them, going through each horse's past performances. Both stories can be viewed here and here. He called the stories "great" and changed maybe five words between the two of them -- I could have choked on my coffee when he told me that.
After the stories were sent in, I got to work on the ad for the Official Drink of the Virginia Derby Contest. It was a lot of text for an ad and Colonial was having some problems with one of the entrants dropping out and coming back in with a new name, but it was finally done after a very stressful evening for Darrell and I.
I finished the official program and sent the entries/results before heading home late that night.
After the stories were sent in, I got to work on the ad for the Official Drink of the Virginia Derby Contest. It was a lot of text for an ad and Colonial was having some problems with one of the entrants dropping out and coming back in with a new name, but it was finally done after a very stressful evening for Darrell and I.
I finished the official program and sent the entries/results before heading home late that night.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Day Five: Turf Cup Preparation
Sunday was a really good day at Colonial. The draw in for the $500,000 Colonial Turf Cup (Gr. II) was happening on Monday night, so it was a guessing game on Sunday as to who was coming. Darrell was going to write the story Monday night for the draw in and wanted to know the background of each horse by then, so he handed me the past performances of each horse they thought would possibly be going and told me to write a paragraph on each. They can be seen at the bottom of this page. That took the whole day, and I finished up just as Darrell was calling and telling me to write a press release. "I don't know what happened today. Nothing," he said. "I don't know what you'll write it on. But write something." Great, I thought.
Molly hadn't done anything all day and was so bored watching me type away, but she wanted nothing to do with the writing. So I got to typing on a really short story about Maggie Wolfendale winning her first race as a trainer and sent it out to the media. It can be viewed here.
Molly hadn't done anything all day and was so bored watching me type away, but she wanted nothing to do with the writing. So I got to typing on a really short story about Maggie Wolfendale winning her first race as a trainer and sent it out to the media. It can be viewed here.
Day Four: Van Clief
Saturday didn't go too well due to minor difficulties, but it happens.
It was $00.25 Fan Appreciation Day, so I first had to cut up the flyers I had made so they could be handed out before the gates opened. I then had to edit an ad for the Virginia Derby 5k Run I had created my previous work day because of a name change and send it out to some organizations. After that, I got in contact with the track photographer about sending the photos he had taken for the Inside Track tour to me and recruited people to sign up for the hot dog eating contest. Immediately after a pretty disgusting display of hot dog eatingness (including jockey Craig Gibbs - what a sport), I returned to the press box to watch the ninth race, the $50,000 Daniel Van Clief Stakes. The press release I wrote can be viewed here. I'm not sure why the "drew much excitement" line is in there, but it should've been taken out as Darrell called it "hokey." I'm learning fast. After sending the press release to the media and the results/entries out, I was off.
It was $00.25 Fan Appreciation Day, so I first had to cut up the flyers I had made so they could be handed out before the gates opened. I then had to edit an ad for the Virginia Derby 5k Run I had created my previous work day because of a name change and send it out to some organizations. After that, I got in contact with the track photographer about sending the photos he had taken for the Inside Track tour to me and recruited people to sign up for the hot dog eating contest. Immediately after a pretty disgusting display of hot dog eatingness (including jockey Craig Gibbs - what a sport), I returned to the press box to watch the ninth race, the $50,000 Daniel Van Clief Stakes. The press release I wrote can be viewed here. I'm not sure why the "drew much excitement" line is in there, but it should've been taken out as Darrell called it "hokey." I'm learning fast. After sending the press release to the media and the results/entries out, I was off.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Day Three: Oakley Stakes
Sunday was the start of my writing duties for Colonial.
My first job of the day was to format and send the photos I had taken from the Inside Track to Ryan, the webmaster, to put on colonialdowns.com. After doing that, Darrell had a handful of ads for me to create that would go in the program and go out to various organizations. The most important one deals with Hooters Day and the Ride for Athletes, so I had to create a motorcycle ad for the event and find various clubs and stores to send it to who would be interested. That, along with the official program, took up most of my day.
I really had to pay attention to the eighth race, the Oakley Stakes, however. Darrell wanted me to write my first press release. I don't have a copy of it with me, but it went pretty well. He changed the first sentence around a bit, but I don't think it was too horrible. I really don't like press releases, however...
My first job of the day was to format and send the photos I had taken from the Inside Track to Ryan, the webmaster, to put on colonialdowns.com. After doing that, Darrell had a handful of ads for me to create that would go in the program and go out to various organizations. The most important one deals with Hooters Day and the Ride for Athletes, so I had to create a motorcycle ad for the event and find various clubs and stores to send it to who would be interested. That, along with the official program, took up most of my day.
I really had to pay attention to the eighth race, the Oakley Stakes, however. Darrell wanted me to write my first press release. I don't have a copy of it with me, but it went pretty well. He changed the first sentence around a bit, but I don't think it was too horrible. I really don't like press releases, however...
Day Two: Inside Track
Saturday was a decent day at the track. At around 12:30, I had to go to the winners' circle to meet with the mock Inside Track tour group to take photos of the whole thing. Most of the people were from the frontside of the track with the exception of three guys they found to bring along for free. It was a pretty nice tour, but nothing I hadn't seen before and the guide didn't really know what she was talking about. We talked to trainer Stephanie Nixon before she went out and won a race, watched them break from the track kitchen patio, saw them run around the far turn, stood inside the paddock, watched a race from the winners' circle, etc. I will say, though, that it was pretty nice taking a photo with jockey Jonathan Joyce, one of my favorites. And there was also a horse that broke through the starting gate right in front of us, which isn't something that happens every day.
The tour took up most of my day. As the races came to a close, I met Molly in the winners' circle. She had been with the wedding couples all day who were in the running for a wedding hosted by Colonial, so we saw the winner being chosen before heading back up to the press box. We waited for the remainder of the races to finish, did the daily duties of marking an official program (the guys who work for Equibase print out the race results so we can mark in a program the finishing position of each horse in case we ever need it in the future), and sent out the results and entries for the next day to the papers. After confirming that each paper got the entries and results, we were able to leave.
The tour took up most of my day. As the races came to a close, I met Molly in the winners' circle. She had been with the wedding couples all day who were in the running for a wedding hosted by Colonial, so we saw the winner being chosen before heading back up to the press box. We waited for the remainder of the races to finish, did the daily duties of marking an official program (the guys who work for Equibase print out the race results so we can mark in a program the finishing position of each horse in case we ever need it in the future), and sent out the results and entries for the next day to the papers. After confirming that each paper got the entries and results, we were able to leave.
Friday, June 5, 2009
Day One: Media Day
June 3 marked my first day as an intern at Colonial Downs, and it was a pretty exciting one.
After getting lost for a few minutes (and somehow ending up on the roof instead of the top floor), I ran into my internship coordinator, Darrell Wood, and he led me to the Press Box that I share with the other intern, Molly. He went over a few details about the day and then set us free so Molly could show me around the top floor (which has an amazing view of the track) and go over what she'd done since she'd started about two weeks ago.
Around 10:30, we had to leave to meet Darrell at the Virginia Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association building for Media Day. After setting everything up and getting a decent turnout of about twelve news stations and papers, we watched some of the interviews being done outside. Darrell (Director of Marketing), Tyler Picklesimer (Director of Racing), and Ferris Allen (leading trainer at Colonial) were all interviewed by several different people, and Darrell mentions in this video most of the talking points we stressed to the writers that day. He pointed out that it was alright to tell everyone the same things this time since they were looking for general footage on opening day, but that we needed to uncover different stories to sell individually to news stations. Molly and I have a few ideas started and are trying to track down some facts on them.
Throughout this time, Molly and I took four different media groups to the backside to get footage of the racehorses. Since it was about 2pm and training ends at 10am, the barns were pretty dead and we weren't sure we'd be able to find anyone to pull a relaxing horse out for us. Molly had encountered some people who didn't want to deal with the media at all, but we eventually found a nice married couple shoeing some horses for Hamilton Smith's barn and we repeatedly went back to them for video. Mr. Paulk of the Richmond Times Dispatch spent a lot of time with us at the barns and seemed to be enjoying Molly and I's discussion with the farrier on the way the media views the sport and incidents like Barbaro's breakdown. His video can be seen here.
After all the media left, we went back to the Press Box and waited for a call from Equibase to tell us how to send entries and results to different newspapers daily. Apparently, the guy who used to be in the Press Box was laid off last year and he was the only one who knew how to do this. However, we got that all figured out and sent Friday's entries to the papers before going home.
Because none of the Hampton Roads news stations showed up for Media Day, Darrell asked me to go to four different stations and drop off an informational packet and video footage of last year's VA Derby. Since it was after hours, it was difficult to get this to people working there, but I got it done.
I realized early on that it's going to be a bit difficult for me to change my mindset during this internship. It was announced during my orientation that Rachel Alexandra wasn't going to run in the Belmont, which I think is fantastic because there's no way she would have lasted 1 1/2 miles, but Darrell was so disappointed because that would have meant the colt vs. filly rivalry that brings people to the track. It's also a bit weird that the only person on the business side I've encountered who knows anything about racing is Darrell.
I'll be going back on Saturday to hopefully do a test run of the Inside Track, a $300 tour that lets fans go on the backside, see some of the offices, stand next to the starting gate as a race starts, etc. I can already hear all the interesting and weird questions I'll have to answer...
After getting lost for a few minutes (and somehow ending up on the roof instead of the top floor), I ran into my internship coordinator, Darrell Wood, and he led me to the Press Box that I share with the other intern, Molly. He went over a few details about the day and then set us free so Molly could show me around the top floor (which has an amazing view of the track) and go over what she'd done since she'd started about two weeks ago.
Around 10:30, we had to leave to meet Darrell at the Virginia Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association building for Media Day. After setting everything up and getting a decent turnout of about twelve news stations and papers, we watched some of the interviews being done outside. Darrell (Director of Marketing), Tyler Picklesimer (Director of Racing), and Ferris Allen (leading trainer at Colonial) were all interviewed by several different people, and Darrell mentions in this video most of the talking points we stressed to the writers that day. He pointed out that it was alright to tell everyone the same things this time since they were looking for general footage on opening day, but that we needed to uncover different stories to sell individually to news stations. Molly and I have a few ideas started and are trying to track down some facts on them.
Throughout this time, Molly and I took four different media groups to the backside to get footage of the racehorses. Since it was about 2pm and training ends at 10am, the barns were pretty dead and we weren't sure we'd be able to find anyone to pull a relaxing horse out for us. Molly had encountered some people who didn't want to deal with the media at all, but we eventually found a nice married couple shoeing some horses for Hamilton Smith's barn and we repeatedly went back to them for video. Mr. Paulk of the Richmond Times Dispatch spent a lot of time with us at the barns and seemed to be enjoying Molly and I's discussion with the farrier on the way the media views the sport and incidents like Barbaro's breakdown. His video can be seen here.
After all the media left, we went back to the Press Box and waited for a call from Equibase to tell us how to send entries and results to different newspapers daily. Apparently, the guy who used to be in the Press Box was laid off last year and he was the only one who knew how to do this. However, we got that all figured out and sent Friday's entries to the papers before going home.
Because none of the Hampton Roads news stations showed up for Media Day, Darrell asked me to go to four different stations and drop off an informational packet and video footage of last year's VA Derby. Since it was after hours, it was difficult to get this to people working there, but I got it done.
I realized early on that it's going to be a bit difficult for me to change my mindset during this internship. It was announced during my orientation that Rachel Alexandra wasn't going to run in the Belmont, which I think is fantastic because there's no way she would have lasted 1 1/2 miles, but Darrell was so disappointed because that would have meant the colt vs. filly rivalry that brings people to the track. It's also a bit weird that the only person on the business side I've encountered who knows anything about racing is Darrell.
I'll be going back on Saturday to hopefully do a test run of the Inside Track, a $300 tour that lets fans go on the backside, see some of the offices, stand next to the starting gate as a race starts, etc. I can already hear all the interesting and weird questions I'll have to answer...
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