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Ryen Hanna
'03 and I, along with Kerry Dalton and Susie Sourwine of the
Emerald Downs marketing staff, had a great time planning the
KTTC-Emerald Downs local trip.
Joe DaLuca,
editor of the Washington Thoroughbred magazine and a board member
of the Washington Thoroughbred Breeders Association met our
group of approximately 25 parents and members on the Emerald
Down's backside. He showed us the auction ring, and outlined
what would be going on at the upcoming yearling sale.
Then we
visited the track library, where we were amazed to see every
issue of The Bloodhorse dating back to the 1970s. Some of their
other magazines and sales records dated to the 1930s.
After spending
some time to talk and make new friends we boarded a tram for
a tour of the backside. We saw horses returning from workouts
and hanging out in their stalls. Most of our group hated the
smell of the manure piles!
The tram
dropped us off outside the grandstand, where our tour guide
distributed packs of jockey cards, bumper stickers and pens.
We went into the jockey's room, where we saw the whole works.
We visited the wonderfully colorful silks room, the recreation
room, the personal trainer's office (we all loved his screen
saver). We learned about how jockeys keep their weight down,
and about how the lighter jockeys add weight with very expensive
leaded pads. We saw all of the equipment they wear, and learned
about its purpose.
After our
fun tours, we went to our seats in the second level grandstand,
which Emerald Downs kindly donated. Kerry had been kind enough
to arrange gift packs for all of us, so we were wearing our
hats, tee shirts, and using our pens all day.
The third
race was the KTTC Purse, a one-mile allowance. All of the kids
went into the paddock, where Ryen was interviewed for the track
show (looking just like a princess!), giving the group much
publicity. We then went into the winner's circle to watch the
race, and were joined by ED, the Emerald Downs mascot, who took
pictures with all of us. Ed wanted to run in the sixth race,
but he was too slow! Scent of Heather won the race, and our
group posed in the winner's circle with her.
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Next
we split into two groups to visit the announcer's booth, and
the stewards office. Everyone enjoyed being in the announcer's
booth with Robert Gellar, who has a great Aussie accent and
sense of humor. He helped us some with our handicapping, and
my group watched the Pacific Classic with him on television
from Del Mar. The steward's room also was interesting. We
learned the details of a steward's job, and how they use equipment
to determine winners. This was actually a perfect opportunity
for us, because one of the races was a dead heat! Ryen's group
saw the pictures being analyzed and winner's determined, and
we were all very impressed.
Tours
completed, the group scattered about Emerald Downs. The Longacres
Mile was a tremendous race, and my pick, Irisheyesareflying,
pulled through and won, while my other picks, Mike K and Makors
Mark finished third and fourth. Everyone cheered for their
favorite horses and we all had a great time!
I
definitely enjoyed myself, and would like to thank everyone
at Emerald Downs, especially Kerry, Susie and Robert, for
helping us plan this awesome day!
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