Armenian Hospitality

Yesterday's Ambassador Program just goes to show that quality always is more important than quantity. If every group was as good as this one then I certainly could do this for quite a long time. I don't know why but the morning of I was feeling particularly excited about going to the track, which I honestly haven't felt for quite some time ("Princess Azula" (V) did win her CA-MdSpWt on Saturday, a certain help). I put on a nice suit and tie, horse tie tack, and then buttoned on my NTRA lapel button. I looked official. The drive out seemed particularly short.

Things started out great. Everyone who was not thrown off by Daylight Savings Time showed up on time (50% of the group, all college students, failed to show) and we headed back to Frank Monteleone's barn. Frank was feeling particularly talkative and he took us down through the barn and spoke about each horse by name, how it was doing, and a little back history. (I found out that "Yournamehere" was delivered by Frank himself.) After the barn tour we headed out to Clocker's Corner to get close to the track. Most everyone who was in attendance had seen episodes of Animal Planet's "Jockeys" so the sights seemed familiar. It was easier to explain things thanks in part to the context the show provided. Then it was up to the private box to catch the first race which one person hit. The rest of us chose the third place finisher who had a very bad exchange with the winner coming around the far turn. For whatever reason the stewards decided to leave the results alone even though some nearby handicappers verbally thought otherwise. (That loss set the tone for the rest of the day's wagers which will best be left unmentioned.)

Afterwards we went down to the paddock for the walking ring tour. As luck would have it trainer Doug O'Neill was sending off the seven horse. For those that don't know, Mr. O'Neill trained $5.5 million dollar earner "Lava Man", 2007 Breeder's Cup Filly Sprint winner "Maryfield", Kentucky Derby runners "Great Hunter" and "Notional", and Derby Hopeful "Cobalt Blue". And aside from "Maryfield" all those horses were just in one year! Needless to say, Mr. O'Neill is a great trainer. He's also a great guy, always with a smile on his face and so gracious to let the Ambassador Program use his barn for visitations in July at Del Mar. He shook hands and we grabbed this photo. After watching that race from the rail the two ladies surrounding Doug invited me to lunch at the Front Runner Restaurant.

As it turns out both of these gracious businesswomen are Armenian. They met one another in a professional function and J.B. told M.L. about the Ambassador Program. We ended up discussing a lot of different topics both inside and outside of horse racing. Despite our meal taking over an hour to get to us (the salad got lost) the afternoon really zipped on by. The pair then showed real Armenian hospitality by paying for my lunch. Thanks so much! I hope to see them both again, as well as the whole group, at future Ambassador Programs.

The 15th looks like a go already with 8 people currently signed up. Hopefully more punch their ticket as the week progresses.

Perseverance!