Memorial Day...

Alright I'm finally getting around to posting about Memorial Day, sorry but I've been slightly busy this week! Lone Star Park was having their annual "Lone Star Millions" day, their biggest day of the year with $1,000,000 in purses. Jaydee and his friend Karen were going to be out there so I went out to meet up with them.

First, here's me & Jaydee

Then here's me & Karen (I was leaning over because I didn't think I was going to be in this photo, Jaydee you stinker!) Karen is going through chemo right now, but seemed to be doing okay. (We hope for the best for you Karen!)

We were up in the restaurant "Silks" and lo and behold who did Karen spot sitting at the table in front of us? Babe Laufenberg. She was thrilled to get her picture taken with him, and he was very friendly to oblige.

Later when I called Hubby to tell him that we were talking to Babe, Hubby replied "So what? He was THIRD STRING!" (What else would you expect from a Denver Broncos fanatic? haha) But in Babe's defense, he did START 5 games for the San Diego Chargers... and won a couple...

Anyway, Jaydee told Babe I had worked for Asmussen, so he started talking to me about Curlin etc. I figured he was just being polite, that he probably had people bug him a lot since he's a commentator on a local sports tv show here in town, so I was trying to leave him alone. However, later in the day when I went outside to the rail to watch the races Babe and his family came up behind me and started talking again. I was rather surprised how FRIENDLY he and his wife were, extremely nice people.

On to the next subject... I went out to the paddock area to watch the bigger races of the day. The next photo amused me, this is Darren doing a double-take upon seeing me. Darren is Asmussen's assistant trainer for this track, and I worked with him 5 years ago... but I've hardly been out there in a while, hence the double-take look of recognizing me and then he waved.

Next is photos of the big race of the day, the Lone Star Park Handicap.

Here's the horse Bob and John, a Bob Baffert trained entry.

And no, Baffert opted not to show up for this one. Pity. Baffert's name is posted in huge letters as a permanent display in the paddock since he was one of the founding parties for opening this track 10 years ago, and yet he didn't even make an appearance. Figures. Oh yeah, and his horse won.

Next photo is Jonesboro being saddled.
(Came in 3rd place)

And lastly is a pic of Sweetnorthernsaint.
(2nd place)

So in all it was a fun day. The track was muddy as hell and the horses were practically swimming to the finish, but it was worthwhile to spend the day with Jaydee & Karen.

One last thing, as Jaydee said in his comment on the next post they didn't have any bread pudding in Silks... but the buffet was wonderful as always and I think I made up for the lack of bread pudding by eating everything else in sight, haha. It was one of those days that I should be thankful that I can't gain a pound to save my life. I imagine Jaydee and Karen were probably saying "She went back for more food AGAIN???" lol

Thanks again Jaydee for lunch and inviting me out with you & Karen. :)