Chicago NFBC Participants

Edwards Kings · Post by **Edwards Kings** » Fri Feb 11, 2005 1:20 am

Guys (and girls if any), I am sick of what MLBPA and the vile henchmen that spent $50m in blood money to get the rights to public domain have done. I am sure the players needed it expecially since they earn such low wages to play a game that most of us would play for free. There is not much I can do about it right now other than send a few emails to feed my indignation. Greg and his team seem to have very level heads and this will all play out. The outcome will determine if I will give up on baseball...

finally and forever.

But it is not time to write that obituary yet.

I am going to be in Chicago this year and I am going to have fun. The Vegas boys (and girls...must be PC) my have a little poker tournement. I have been "talking" with Coops in another string about some of the options Chicago has for a little gambling. Evidently there is a racetrack for trotters about 10 minutes from the hotel (airports and racehorses usually make a bad mix, but what do I know about paramutual betting).

All of that (too much...a southerner will never say in 10 words when 100 will do) to ask this...anyone up to maybe go to the track Friday night. Might be some good fun and fellowship!

Diamond Dogs · Post by **Diamond Dogs** » Thu Feb 17, 2005 1:09 pm

Trotters...................Count me in anytime.

Which track?.....Hawthorne, Balmoral, Maywood.

Maywood 1/2 mile

Balmoral 1 mile- Great Track, nice place....about 30 minutes from hotel I suspect

Hawthorne- Limited run time, usually in summer for a few weeks....primarily a TB Track.

Let me know which one and I can prepare for a visit.

Dogs

Greenlight30 · Post by **Greenlight30** » Thu Feb 17, 2005 1:15 pm

I believe he is talking about Arlington which is pretty close to O'Hare. It is a beautiful track but you DO NOT win money on horse racing

.

Cooperstown · Post by **Cooperstown** » Thu Feb 17, 2005 5:13 pm

Friday night at the track, count me in. Arlington has no live racing in March. Balmoral is dark on Friday night when Maywood is running. And Maywood is no more than 15 minutes from the Hotel. Best of all, they simulcast the races from Houston. Don't know much about the trotters, except the inside is usually favorable.

Maywood home page

Cooperstown · Post by **Cooperstown** » Thu Feb 17, 2005 5:27 pm

Forgot to mention that Hawthorne is open for the thoroughbreds, but they start at 1. My flight gets in that Friday at about 1:30. They do have simulcast there on Friday night, but live racing at Maywood would be more enjoyable. Also, Hawthorne is about 30-45 minutes from the hotel. Maybe more on a Friday in the Windy City.

Guess you know which way I'm leaning.

Edwards Kings · Post by **Edwards Kings** » Fri Feb 18, 2005 6:41 am

Sounds like some have a real good knowledge of the area and the tracks. I will yeild to subject matter experts and tag along.

As mentioned earlier, probably will not win much money (I am going to win all of mine next October when Greg gives me that really big check

) but the track will probably beat the hell out of hanging out in a hotel bar.

I will tell you a story (damn southerners) about trotters. As a little background, I grew up in Savannah, GA and my numbers were 3 (baseball) and 33 (football) all the way through sports until beer replaced actual activity.

While in NY (my wife is a yankee), I wanted to stop by the OTB just for the experience. I ran in, asked the mutant behind the counter what was the next race going off. Can not even tell you where the track was, but in that race it turned out to be trotters. One horse was "Savannah Blue Chip" and its number was "3". How is that for kismit.

Anyway, had to get the dude to help me fill out the card. Odds were 9-1 and plumped down $10 (federal not confederate) to the amusement of the old boys in the side room.

In short, Savannah Blue Chip won. I picked up my $90 bucks, waved to the boys on the side (not smiling now), and was out in 10 minutes. Haven't bet on a trotter race since!

Cooperstown · Post by **Cooperstown** » Fri Feb 18, 2005 9:33 am

Hey King Edward,

I was in Savannah last month (for the first time) and was very impressed. Everyone very friendly and the river walk area has got a little something for everyone. I had a great dinner at Sorry Charlies and watched the Steelers-Jets playoff game. There were some Fort Stewart guys shipping off to Iraq at one table near me. I bought them all a round. Another couple of guys at a different table killing time before going to a college hockey game and going into pleasant diatribes about the strike. Still more.... 4 women celebrating one of their birthdays and getting plastered. And a large group of Steeler fans having a great time. And this was just in our section of the place. Also, live music for every genre in close proximity. I personally visited 3 establishments. None had a cover. I didn't know there was such a thing as rock, blues and regae fusion. I guess what I'm trying to say is I had a gas there.

Anyway, what time and day do you get to Chicago? I'm sure we can plan a trip to one of the tracks.

Edwards Kings · Post by **Edwards Kings** » Tue Feb 22, 2005 1:22 am

Coops, Sorry, been out of touch the last couple of days. Family in town and all that.

Glad you liked Savannah. Generally a laid back place that really knows how to have a good time. Being at the end of the road (you do not go "through" Savannah, you have to go "to" Savannah), there is a certain quirky atmosphere. BTW, I am actually related to one of the reoccuring characters in the novel "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil". No, not the "Lady" Chablis, but another character.

Anyway, I will be getting in on Friday at 3:00. Hitting the tracks seems like fun.

Cooperstown · Post by **Cooperstown** » Tue Feb 22, 2005 6:24 am

The track it is. Maywood ok? First post is 7:40. We could meet at Embassy Suites lobby a little before 7. Anyone else intersted? I'm not familiar with the different seating areas at Maywood. Suggestions anyone?

Anyone else notice Embassy misspelled on the NFBC website?

Edwards Kings · Post by **Edwards Kings** » Wed Feb 23, 2005 2:21 am

Coops, 7:00 at the Embassy sounds good. I will check in at my hotel, come down to register and meet you there. Sounded like a few others were interested, so I will talk it up at the registration.

No damn Sewing Convention getting in our way (a la Vegas) but we might have to contend with a few hangovers from the Chicagoians who really celebrated Saint Patricks Day! By the way, the third largest St. Paddy's Day celebration in the US (behind Chicago and New York) is in little old Savannah. ERIN GO BRAUGH!

Sack · Post by **Sack** » Wed Feb 23, 2005 2:37 am

Chicago gang. Savannah Blue Chip was a "trotter" that ran back at Yonkers raceway. I might have been the mutant you tripped over.

Maywood is a small track, it favors inside posts and early speed. The Drivers are mucho important. Remember the names Morgan, DAVE Magee, Tim Tetrick. I'll be in Vegas doing the day/night Auction thing or I'd be at the rail. Seating.....whn you arrive, ask where there "Simulcast Theatre" is and pay the extra $2-$3 bucks. You'll get a private seat, non smoking room, and still be within walking distance to watch the live race.

Edwards Kings · Post by **Edwards Kings** » Wed Feb 23, 2005 6:56 am

Wow! I am impressed! When I bet on that horse, it had to be 1990 and old Savannah Blue Chip must be glue by now. Thanks for the tips!

Cooperstown · Post by **Cooperstown** » Wed Feb 23, 2005 3:54 pm

Sack, too bad you're not joining us. Sounds like you might know a thing or two. Thanks for the suggestions. Edwards, 7:00 is good. I'll have a rental and can take 4 or 5. I'll start a new thread about about the 10th or so. Maybe we can get a good-sized group to go and all pitch in for some superfecta betting.

LBG1973 · Post by **LBG1973** » Thu Feb 24, 2005 3:24 am

Sounds like a good time! I dont know if I can make it down on Friday night but I will try.

Just out of curiousity is anyone from the Milwaukee area driving down on Saturday?