The Last Filly

Presque Isle Downs Opener

I have mixed feelings about writing this post ... on the one hand, I had a really funny feeling that I'd be writing it, but I had really hoped that I was wrong. Unfortunately, I feel as though I don't have a choice.

Presque Isle Downs is a mess.

Randy Moss gave a handicapping seminar, which was supposed to begin at 4:00, but didn't start until around 4:15 for various 'technical' reasons(?). I was very disturbed by what I saw as disrespect for him. More than once, his microphone went out, and halfway through his talk, country music started blaring over him. I must say, however, that Moss gave a great talk and the man is a genuinely nice person - I thoroughly enjoyed it.

The first race was not just the first race at Presque Isle Downs, but my first race. Not sure how I feel about having it happen this way. On the one hand, it was horrifying when Cantrel, the favorite broke down ... you couldn't see much of anything beyond the horse being pulled up, but it didn't help that people were yelling "there's a dead horse!" right by me. Extremely rude, since the horse then was still standing and it wasn't clear what had happened. Moving on ... that's a part of racing, and I guess it's best I got that experience out of the way. Still... I think it's an unpleasant reminder that synthethic surfaces might not be the miracle band-aid that they're made out to be. Regardless...

(edit: My complaint with what I heard was that it was not a shout of disgust - rather, there was an excited tone to this man's voice as soon as a horse pulled up. I got the distinct impression that for him, this was not a tragedy but rather entertainment - I didn't stay around, as I felt sick to my stomach and wasn't even sure that I wanted to watch another race after that)

I will say that I surprised myself. I had been excited about this particular race because of Miss A. Bomb, the 3-year-old daughter of Lemon Drop Kid. I was right up on the rail at the finish line for the race and I couldn't see a thing except for her navy blue fleece noseband. Let's just say that when I saw that out in front, I lost it. I'm not a very emotional person, but when I saw a horse I'd cheered on throughout the year nearing the finish ... it's an absolutely indescribable feeling. I turned back with my ears a bit red, needless to say :)

I only saw two other races live - the third race (which I watched on the opposite side of the winner's circle) and the fifth race (which I watched standing on a chair in the 'grandstand' through the zoom lens of my camera - and I think had the best view for). It's not very viewer-friendly, to say the least. Someone else can probably describe the problem better for me, but I think the problem is that the track itself is not set low enough. I've been told that if you stand at the rail, you can actually see the entire race in some places. Not here.

You're going to read a lot about the "grandstand" and "clubhouse". This is, essentially, the employee smoking area during the day. There are a bunch of 'reserved' tables (ok, so that 'reserved' sign disappears pretty easily) on the patio behind the casino, and there are a couple of rows of benches out in front of that. That's it.

Your indoor viewing options are either the windows at the edge of the buffet area. The second floor also has a large glass window, but as far as I can tell, you aren't able to look out them unless you were lucky enough to get a table at the restaurant. I wound up standing half an hour up there until we finally realized that the host misunderstood us and didn't really tell us that we'd have the next table. Apparently the 'next table' wouldn't be until after 9pm (this was maybe 7:30...). Previously, we had tried the buffet, but before even making it to the cashier, heard people saying 'there are no tables'. On my way out to the 'grandstand', I passed quite a few people sitting at tables, either handicapping or reading books, with no food in sight.

Unfortunately, I have a feeling that not many people are going to believe this account, as everyone else is painting a beautiful picture ... local news reports are praising the place like nothing else.

I will say this, however ... it is very clear that the racetrack was an afterthought, and that it was not a priority when it came to money. Even someone who I was with, who had initially told me 'wait and see' when I reported on what I had seen earlier in the year, was very disturbed and surprised that I was right. Unfortunately, unless they wanted to completely re-do the track, I don't think there's much that can be done. And to give a well-regarded and capable handicapper the reception that they did ... maybe this is how he's welcomed at all tracks, but it bothered me. Unfortunately, he's such a nice guy (and he really is, I got the chance to speak with him very briefly), he won't say anything. Mr. Moss, you have my support and I hope that you haven't come away with a bad impression of Erie.

On the other hand, I had an absolutely amazing experience with a favored horse winning right in front of me ... I learned what it was like to lose control of my emotions in a good way ... I got to spend my very first racetrack experience with someone I consider a dear friend ... and you know, I broke my maiden :) Always good to get that over with.

Like I say ... I have very mixed feelings about hitting 'Publish Post'. I'm being brutally honest, and you know, maybe this is how it's like everywhere. I'm not totally comfortable being so negative, but I can't lie and say it's a wonderful place like I'm sure you'll read everywhere else. I don't know... maybe I'll feel better in the morning.

posted at 22:18 |