Gordon Waterstone

Lexington, KY — What a gorgeous Saturday morning in Lexington. And the best part? There is no rain in the forecast as remnants of Hurricane Ian are staying east of here.

The best part of the two weeks of Grand Circuit racing at The Red Mile is shown in today’s photo. The atmosphere at the track during the races is so casual and friendly. And where else can you get a photo of Joe Sbrocco, Bill Donovan and Mark Weaver together? Not only are they three of the sport’s most successful owners, they are also three of the nicest guys you’d ever want to meet.

Joe Sbrocco (left), Bill Donovan (seated) and Mark Weaver (right) are three of the sport’s most successful owners. Gordon Waterstone photo.

I had a chance to really talk with Joe at Thursday night’s Kentuckiana gathering at the Malone’s Banquet Center. Joe lives in Brecksville, Ohio, and I always remind him that in my early, early years working in harness racing I did a short gig at Northfield Park, and I resided for a time at the Brecksville Motor Inn. I’ll date myself here, but I remember paying $9 a night — no weekly discount so it was $63 a week.

Joe and I were standing at a table when Brittany Farms’ George Segal, also a co-owner of The Red Mile, came over to shake my hand and say hello. George remarked something about what a pair Joe and I make. Joe, who is 81, asked George how old he was, and the answer was 84. George then looked at me and said I was just a baby. Thanks George, you made my day!

Thanks to Bluegrass Staking’s Mike and Teena Freibert for Friday’s barbeque as I really enjoyed the pulled pork and chicken, baked beans, cole slaw and chips. I took my plate and sat down with Chris Tully, Mike Vandeheede and David Hoese, and David and I talked about pro football and our lack of success in survivor pools, where you pick a team you believe is a sure-fire winner. With all the upsets opening week — I was out of my survivor pool the first week as I picked the Colts, who tied with the Texans — people were falling left and right. I know that my survivor pool is already over as there was only one person standing after week three.

There were a lot more people at the races on Friday. Should be even more today, and it should be a picture-perfect afternoon with sunny skies and a high of 72. I looked at the forecast for next week and there is no rain anywhere in the picture, with highs early in the week around 70-72 but then dipping into the 60s for the weekend, which is of course when racing resumes with the Friday, Saturday and Sunday programs.

As I was driving to The Red Mile this morning I received a text from Leo, who works at Le Deauville. There is a big group coming here from France and they were in need of a translator and Leo speaks fluent French and knows horse lingo. Leo is a perfect fit for the group, who will be touring Rood And Riddle on Tuesday and Gluck Research Center on Wednesday. The stars aligned this morning at the track as I bumped into Dr. Andy Roberts, who was instrumental in lining up the tour for the French group and I told him I was able to secure Leo as translator. I then called Whitney Fields (you remember Trophy Girl Whitney from her long-time stint at The Red Mile) to let her know as well as she now works at Rood And Riddle.

I walked over to the Nancy Takter barn where she was talking to a group that included her assistant Josert Fonseca and her father, Jimmy. Diamond Creek Farm’s Marcus Johansson was there as well and he greeted me with “Hello Gordie,” in reference to our hockey talk yesterday and me telling him I was named after the great Gordie Howe.

As I left the Takter barn I saw someone turn the corner and I said, “Hello Marvin.” With the glare of the sun I thought it was Marvin Katz, but alas, it was Paul Bordogna. I apologized with a laugh and he said it was all right. Paul said he was heading over to Nifty Norman’s barn to check on his horses.

I went over to see if Bulldog Hanover had left for Hollywood Dayton, where he races tonight. Johnny told me that he planned on leaving around 1 p.m. for the 2-1/2-hour ship north on I-75. I wished him luck tonight. Johnny was in the stall of Buttercup Hanover, a 2-year-old filly pacer who is a Betting Line half-sister to the world champion Bulldog Hanover. I asked him if she was going to race here but he said no, Jack had the horse on sale on onGait.com and was hoping to sell her before he leaves Lexington.

Bulldog Hanover is in Dewayne Minor’s barn so I had a chance to talk to Dewayne for a few minutes, and we were joined by his assistant Jeff. Jeff told me he is a native of Oklahoma but has been living in Ohio, and he’s worked for Dewayne only since June. Jeff is a really nice guy so I gave him the last of my drink coupons for The Neon Moon, that quiet little bar on Alexandria that recently opened.

I went over to check on Brent MacGrath, trainer and co-owner of Beach Glass, who will race later today in a Bluegrass division. While it was chilly, Brent was in short sleeves, so I said something about his Canadian blood being used to colder weather. Beach Glass is in the shedrow of Lindy Farms and trainer Domenico Cecere came by to say hello. So did Lindy assistant Rene Sjethen, and I asked Rene how his dinner was last night at Le Deauville. He said it was great. I am Facebook friends with Rene and he’s been in Lexington awhile now, so I asked if he’s missed any restaurants as he’s always posting photos of where he was dining.

As I was leaving I ran into Nick Salvi, and I lamented to him about the breakfast table being empty again, especially since I was hungry (as always). Nick was hoping for some hot coffee, so he too was disappointed. I do know that both of us shouldn’t be disappointed later as Saturday’s card is a great one so I’m sure we’ll see some great racing.

Gas prices around The Red Mile are in the $3.40-$3.49 range, but if you get away from the track a bit you can find cheaper. As I noted a couple days ago, gas was $3.26 where I filled up at Kroger.

Remember that the Lexington Selected Yearling Sale gets underway Monday night at Fasig-Tipton. The sale shifts to afternoons on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, and on Tuesday afternoon at 1 p.m. is the Breeders Crown Charity Challenge “Cocktails For A Cause” reception at Fasig-Tipton. The sale finishes up Friday night and then the mixed sale will close out all the action on Saturday night.

That’s it for today, I’ll be back with you on Monday as Backstretch With Gordon will be taking a break on Sunday and getting energized for week two of Grand Circuit racing at The Mile. Have a great Saturday and Sunday, and if you’re still live in a survivor pool, be sure and pick a winner!