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Incredible Experience

I am not much into horse racing. I can take it or leave it. However, for a sport that I have little interest in, it has created some wonderful memories in my life.

I certainly don't take after my father regarding this sport. He has always been a big fan of the sport. He's never been a big bettor, but he has always enjoyed handicapping races and placing small bets. As a result, some of our best father son outings were spent at Belmont Race Track on Long Island where I grew up. I enjoyed the races while I was there, and especially enjoyed the one on one time with Dad. The park also has a great picnic area, so as a kid, my family and I would spend many pleasant afternoons at Belmont enjoying a picnic and the races.

Fast forward over 20 years. I married a woman whose father is also very much into horce racing. In fact, he has owned several horses, but the best so far is a horse named Macho Again which we co-owns with several others at a stable company. He ran some great races, but the highlight was a second place finish in this year's Preakness Stakes. This earned him a spot in the Belmont Stakes.

In all my years going to Belmont, I never saw the Belmont Stakes live. Until this year. Dad in law provided club tickets for himself along with my wife and I. What a fantastic experience!! We spent the day with other horse owners, trainers, and also saw celebrities like Bo Derek and Shaquille O'Neil. Big time stuff for this Average Joe. It was great being in air conditioning on this 93 degree day in New York. And the build-up to the Belmont Stakes was very exciting. There was a big storyline with the potential Triple Crown victory of Big Brown. However, we felt it would be a difficult day for him and that our horse had a chance. We were ultimately disappointed in the 5th place finish of our horse, but seeing this race live for the first time was priceless.

As I mentioned, I have little interest in horce racing. However, as it did earlier in my life, this sport has once again provided an excellent memory that will not soon fade. Between the excellent time with my wife and father in law, rubbing elbows with millionaires, and the exciting racing, it was a day that will be a bright highlight when I look back at 2008.