Oracle or Gander

Can either of you explain why the construction crew were brought in before the racing was over at Saratoga yesterday. I had a buddy call me to tell me this and I was like--well ok, but then I read it again today in Bloodhorse. I know it is no big deal, but why would they start tearing things down before the racing was completed?

[Gander]

Probably because they only have 3 days to get ready for the next meet to start and they have tons of work to do, not to mention a 3 hour drive to get everything to Belmont. To be honest, I didnt notice this.

Originally Posted by Gander

Probably because they only have 3 days to get ready for the next meet to start and they have tons of work to do, not to mention a 3 hour drive to get everything to Belmont. To be honest, I didnt notice this.

That is what I was thinking. Thanks

Originally Posted by eurobounce

Can either of you explain why the construction crew were brought in before the racing was over at Saratoga yesterday. I had a buddy call me to tell me this and I was like--well ok, but then I read it again today in Bloodhorse. I know it is no big deal, but why would they start tearing things down before the racing was completed?

Euro I have no idea at all what you think this means but i can tell you its the same way every year. NYRA has the place until at least 2007 so there isn't anything to read into it.
Here is why they do that. First of all after the last entries have taken place on Friday they break the racing office down to the bare nubs.
After that, on Monday, they get the trucks in place and get ready to bolt.
Although racing doesnt resume until Friday, everyone's lease runs out on Monday and they have to scoot home. They have to ship out all those betting terminals, ALL OF EM!! And some of the tvs as well. This means that they have to boogie on out of there fast.
The stuff like food stands, the big screens in the infield, the picnic tables, etc. all can be taken care of in good time. They have a crew here that stores that stuff at their own pace. But the betting machines, the computers in the tote room, the tv and photo finish stuff, etc all has to be gotten back down to belmont pronto.
True story, I was betting at an autmoted window for the last race yesterday. The second the race was off a lady and man came flying down the row shutting down machines and turning em off.
The biggest gripe we all have is that on closing day they won't even let us bet del mar!!!! No betting or simulcasting of any kind once the last race at the Spa goes off. One year it was a real pain in the ass as del Mar had a huge carryover and you couldnt even watch the races.
They gotta fly home Euro, and your friend must never have been here on closing day before.

Originally Posted by oracle80

Euro I have no idea at all what you think this means but i can tell you its the same way every year. NYRA has the place until at least 2007 so there isn't anything to read into it.
Here is why they do that. First of all after the last entries have taken place on Friday they break the racing office down to the bare nubs.
After that, on Monday, they get the trucks in place and get ready to bolt.
Although racing doesnt resume until Friday, everyone's lease runs out on Monday and they have to scoot home. They have to ship out all those betting terminals, ALL OF EM!! And some of the tvs as well. This means that they have to boogie on out of there fast.
The stuff like food stands, the big screens in the infield, the picnic tables, etc. all can be taken care of in good time. They have a crew here that stores that stuff at their own pace. But the betting machines, the computers in the tote room, the tv and photo finish stuff, etc all has to be gotten back down to belmont pronto.
True story, I was betting at an autmoted window for the last race yesterday. The second the race was off a lady and man came flying down the row shutting down machines and turning em off.
The biggest gripe we all have is that on closing day they won't even let us bet del mar!!!! No betting or simulcasting of any kind once the last race at the Spa goes off. One year it was a real pain in the ass as del Mar had a huge carryover and you couldnt even watch the races.
They gotta fly home Euro, and your friend must never have been here on closing day before.

I never said it meant anything. I said that I know it was no nig deal. I was just curious. This was my buddies 1st trip to Saratoga. But having to move everything would be a pain. I am used to closing day being just like any other day. Hoosier or Turfway doesnt have anything to move because the next track that opens isnt owned by the same group.

Originally Posted by eurobounce

I never said it meant anything. I said that I know it was no nig deal. I was just curious. This was my buddies 1st trip to Saratoga. But having to move everything would be a pain. I am used to closing day being just like any other day. Hoosier or Turfway doesnt have anything to move because the next track that opens isnt owned by the same group.

I realize that Euro. Closing day at most places just means sweeping up the place, storing away the equipment, and turning off the lights when the last one leaves.
NYRA has to shuttle that stuff all the way up here and then back on down to Belmont. Some friends of mine and I like to be the last ones out of the place on closing day. We drink some beer out of coolers by the paddock and kind of soak in the ambience one last time and take some group pictures. We did it again yesterday and didn't walk out until it was dark. Its always amazing how different it looks and feels just 6 weeks after it starts.
When it opens the grass in the grandstand is plush and green and covers everything. When it closes there isn't a blade to be found. Its all been worn away by the thousands of people and all thats there is dirt. When it opens the leaves are all green, when it closes you can see leaves that have already turned. When it opens the sun rises early and it sets late. When it closes you wake up and its still not totally bright and it gets dark much earlier.
When it opens you stand there and sweat in the heat and say man its hot. When it closes you stand there in the cool air and say its getting very chilly out here.
When it opens the anticipation of whether or not you are gonna win a bundle hangs in the air. When it closes the die has already been caqst. When it opens you wonder who all the big winners of the big races are gonna be and which trainers will be hot or cold. When it closes you already know.
As we walk out we always say see you in 46 weeks and take one last photo in front of the statues painted for the grade one winners of the previous year. Then we drain the last of our beer cans and prepare for reality to resume, and prepare for the colder weather and football gatherings. And there isn't ever a year when we all wish so hard that we could turn back the clock and just have one more week of fun.

[Gander]

With anything as special as Saratoga is comes a bit of depression when it ends. I get the same feeling every year, win or lose. This year stung even harder because I had to get up and drive a great friend to the airport, realizing I most likely wont see him again for many months. I hate airports, I really do. Talk about depressing.

Reality is a tough thing to get back adjusted too. Not much to look forward to in the coming weekends as I dislike football and my Red Sox are barely in any kind of postseason chase.

I did attempt to get back in my normal routine of the gym, but it wasnt especially great.