Del Mar Race Track Appetizer

The Del Mar racing season begins next Thursday. Amtrak is not allowing Coaster ticket holders to steal a ride on its rails for opening week, only. With Comic-Com and the Del Mar Season, San Diego will be packed. Parking will be at a premium, even in North County.
   Yet the thoroughbred season began last week when I met Pat the Hat on the #567 headed north. She was headed to Los Alamitos to bet the ponies. She had told me she once owned part of a horse and would take the #50 bus to the track. 
   Well here am I again in car 4 of the #567 going to Encinitas. Pat the Hat sits across from me. It is eight twenty.  Now most gals bore the hell out of me, but gal that loves horses sleeps in my bed of oats.so as not to bore you, when I speak, there will be no quotes. 
    How did you get started in horses?
    "Well I got my start in Canada. I am from Ontario and the Woodbine coarse was close by us. I used to watch the triple crown races on T.V. One year while in London, I went to Ascot for a big race.  That hooked me. A matter of fact, I met my husband at a track across the bay from Buffalo. It was the Erie Race Track and he was the agent for one of the leading jockeys. We had a great marriage because we had two things in common, and the first was horses...you can guess the second." 
     By the way Pat, my name is George. Did you know any famous jockeys?
     "I dated Ron Turcotte a few times. He rode Secretariat in the Kentucky Derby. He was injured and so began his life in a wheel chair. Two others I saw at Del Mar sat together in a wheel chair. They were Johnny Longden and Bill Shoemaker. They both had thinned down except for their bellies."
     What is that you are eating?
     "I bought the burrito and banana inside the Santa Fe Station. It helps with my digestion of the racing form. Do you wish a piece of it?" 
     I did not ask her age since for me age is only a number with a few wrinkles. 

   Nuts and Bolts:  Don't even think about driving to the track!  Instead park it at any one of the many commuter stations and take the 101 breeze Bus, or Coaster train to the track. After the first week, the Coaster ticket get you a ride on six Amtrak trains....From Los Angeles Grand Central Station, take Amtrak. It is less than $30 for seniors. The early birds can hitch a ride on the Metro-Link to Oceanside. Too tired to get there. Off-track betting is available in Ocean Eleven Casino. (Not edited...got to go dancing..) 
       
   

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