Simulated Sports Derby Fever

How the Equinics Torch ended up at our Forty Shades Of Green Pub this year and day nobody knows. It was just like any other morning when the newest residents under strict surveillance from Thomkal mucked all the stables and cleaned up the Pub  as they allways do.

At a table outside the pub i was trying to get me some breakfast, there was still some glasses that had contained whiskey and Guinness on the table beside me. I had a headache ! I still had some songs just banging in my head from yesterday .

What had happened yesterday?

We really had a great time we had the Pogues playing at our pub the Forty Shades of Green  and i do remember that Crawf68 asking for the band played waltzing Mathilda like fifteen times. There was one great moment that of sabbath and Sabre ally doing a duet singing Whiskey in the jar don’t know if the singing was so great but i can promise that the Tullamore Dew that i drank was exceptional.  Metallinut, Smokeglack  and Wahoo was talking about how fun it is to find thoise nicks that the sim is all about using sires that still haven’t really shown anything in the breeding shed.

Hawkz and foxon have been travelling a lot lately and had a few trips left ,we love this equinics there are parties in all residencies they shouted after more than a few Guiness.

At the same moment Sabre Ally gave the leadsinger in the pogues a push and he fell down and hit his head but of course there were some of our lassies there immediately to take care of him.

Let’s hit it Ally shouted and the musicians started to play in the background .

Ally started to shout !!!

Do I hear a R?

Do I hear an E?

IRE… IRE… the tag we all love…

Stand up and shout

whether it be a sprint or a route

Here’s a hail… the Irish shall prevail…

Gooooooooo IRELAND

We all remembered this one from the last equinics

Bizalls got going and went up beside Sabre Ally

Our colts run first
Guiness slakes thirst
We’re stealing Simster’s hearts!

So let’s cheer for Ireland
Your land and my land
We fear ner man nor horse!

In August you will see

How good we are gonna be

We’ll take the equinics of course !!!

After this Guiness and whiskey was just everywhere the irish spirit(Baileys) was also on all tables.

After a while Techranger started to shout Go twinhollow, Go Twinhollow after a while the whole pub started to sing Go twinhollow.

And our own irish poet started

We will claim our fame

Over Ireland there will be no shame

Let’s show Mike the others

that in Ireland we are all sister and brothers

We are not done

we are aiming to be equinics number one

Slainte………

We all just had such a great night

Morrighan just went out to get some air with Steve, suddenly they came screaming back fire fire there is a fire outside the pub everybody run out and there actually was a fire somebody had left a torch outside the pub and the fire had spread lucky for all of us hillbilly and metallinut was acting quickly so no big tragedy happened. 

Smokeglack took the torch and checked it out.

hey it’s the equinics torch he shouted.

We all was wow that needs celebrating so we went in to have yet another drink, this ones on me Morrighan said but of course he didn’t need to pay he was one of our heroes saving the pub.

With such responsibility that the equinics are  we need somebody that we can thrust to leave the torch to the next residency techranger said. Let’s have a guiness and think about it sabbath said.

Somebody had an idea that at this point after a lot of beers and Whiskey sounded great but not sure it was…

Let’s give it to Killian, the turtle can transfer it. (Killian is our mascot and a turtle!)

So we did put the torch there hoping that Killian would transfer it to the next residency hopefully he will be there now.

Torch relays are all well and good, but in small-town Vermont what we really care about is the gossip generated by the festivities.  Just take a look at what’s been going on while the rest of the world is distracted by torch relays and horse workouts:

 Item!  One longtime Vermonster recently was scene slipping banned substances into a horse’s grain!  He carefully removed the pot of extra-strong Vermont joe and poured some of the hyper-caffeineated beverage into the bucket, which the horse happily devoured.  Someone should tell this fellow it’s hard to be sneaky with that big yellow smiley face on his silks! 

Item!  Someone for whom the stars shine bright (both day and night) in the trainers contest probably had a rough morning after a too-fun night last night.  This resident was seen streaking (yes, streaking) through town in the wee hours holding a lit torch high overhead.  While we appreciate the Equinics spirit this showed, we could’ve done with less showing of everything else!

 Item!  Members of a secret Vermont society (your initials are VLAS) were spotted having a Sex and the City – style  cosmo rampage over the weekend.  They were heckling the handsomer waiters at a local hotspot late into the night. Those aren’t the studs you’re supposed to be focusing on right now, ladies!

 Item!  A British import was seen with his foxy wife heading out to a pre-Equinics dinner at the swankest French place around.  While we hope he had a lovely evening, we don’t want him to forget what’s truly important in life; his sim horses! 

Item!  A group of drenched Vermonsters were seen sneaking across the NY/VT state line in hopes that they would get a glimpse of the noted flame.  They were being led by their fearless leader who was having a hard time blending in to the scenery in his soaked blue and yellow silks.  While we don’t know for sure, rumor has it Mr. Blue-and-Yellow was accompanied by a king of a guy and a flag-waver.

 Item!  Two famously opinionated Vermont residents nearly got into a fight at a local dive bar.   A particularly fabulous fellow said that his beverage was “Less filling” while one whose initials are k.a.i.f. insisted his beer was superior because it “Tastes great.” Just before they resorted to fisticuffs, they were splashed with facefuls of beer by an anonymous female resident.

 Item!  A table full of Vermonsters was kicked out of a bar at closing time and found themselves on the streets loudly singing “Don’t Stop Believing.”  We have it on good authority that the group included “Babyam,”  “Greek Horse,”  “Smilate,” “Ocean Ensign,” and “Shmeeshmyder.” 

Item! Another Vermonster was caught trying to give his horse a lilbit of illegal aid. A friend of this author saw him popping a tube against his horse’s face muttering “Apply directly to the forehead! Apply directly to the forehead!” over and over again.

 Item!  Visiting trainers should bring their own breakfasts.  We have it on good authority that “Chung,” “Cmstables,” and “Sleepy,” and “Bonjour” were seen sneaking “mystery ingredients” into the pancakes!

 Item! A real headcase (with family in tow) made a beeline to trackside picnic tables along with someone who squawked a lot.  They said they hoped to find a prime viewing area for the opening festivities!

 Item!  Try to stay calm, oh trainer of champions!  More cowbell will not help your horses!

 Item!  A group of hopeful spectators from various parts of the country were able to get good vantage points due to the fact that one young and spry Vermonster ran his best sprint ever and was able to snag a prime viewing spot.  In the group were a few Carolina folks complaining about the trip to Vermont being uphill all the way.  Really people… get over it!!! 

 Item!  Enjoying the prerace festivities were some visitors from across the pond.  One of them was running wild all over the place just like a fireball.  We hope he got to see everything he was looking for. 

 Item! One Vermonster from out west brought her very own string of horses hoping to continue her winning streak. 

 Item! We heard things almost got ugly at a high-stakes poker game last night when “Varsity” cleaned up at a table including “Bubby,” “Sorry,” and “Greenhill.”  Don’t worry folks, you’ll more than make up for it when you bet on the Vermont horses at the Equinics!

 Item! People all over Vermont are scratching their heads wondering what the heck is a Sisson and what’s up with so many jockeys wearing blue silks with yellow and burnt orange striped sleeves….. quite a fashion statement, guys!! 

We always love to hear more, of course, so keep the gossip flowing!  You know you love us.

 XOXO 

Vermont’s Gossip Girls (Chilcoat and Isthatgood)

Okay, some of you may have wondered where I’ve been in the past week or so… or maybe not!  I am currently on a family vacation and have had extremely limited internet access to post here.  You see, I had this great idea a while back.  Instead of the Disney vacation that my wife had scheduled, I would rent an RV and follow the Equinics torch across the heartland of America.  I went to great lengths to convince my better half that this would be a great time for the family to see our country. 

Naturally I didn’t mention the torch run to her, just the fact that I wanted to spend 24 hours a day cooped up in a huge can on wheels!  Little did I know back in the beginning of the year that gasoline would go up in price like a two year old in the Sim Auction.  I actually should have realized that to get a story I would have to be parking near a lot of bars and doing research every evening.  I really should have figured that there would be plenty of women of questionable moral standings hanging around these guys.  Oh well, hindsight is 20/20.

Anyway, I have been able to occasionally sneak out and bring you these insights on the torch while spending my days looking at the worlds biggest ball of string or see the birthplace of Abraham Lincoln.  I sure will be glad when the Equinics gets here and I can get back to my regular job at the BTB!  Wish my luck, we are gettting ready to see a huge statue of some lumberjack and his big blue ox!

Well, here we go once again….another Equinics. Ho hum. I get excited about this sort of stuff every two years, and when it’s over- about three months of planning gone in some 30 minutes- I usually exit the scene with my head throbbing from the after effects of another pummelling.

I wrote our Diary once previously- I think it was for the ‘04 Summer Equinics- and it was a three part mini-novel, complete with the trials and tribulations of wild bush-men, an incest based cult, people getting bitten in all the wrong places by rattlesnakes, farting horses….just stuff that sort of flowed, but in the end, really didn’t tell anyone anything about DelPenn. So, for this year, I figured I’d try something different…like tell the tale of DelPenn.

As best I can, at least. I’m sure there’s some stuff I’ve missed over the years. And I think there’s some stuff I’m not allowed to talk about…Whirlwind knows all about that. Besides, I’m on vacation right now, and we’ve been having our own brouhaha at DP about some pretty silly stuff, so my mind is not in the entirely correct place. Sorry about that, but that’s just the way it goes.

Furthermore, we at DP can’t really travel anywhere with anything. Maybe the GR Simsters can go to Wrigley and all that stuff. Not us. I really believe we’re probably the oldest- not just collective oldest in terms of duration of the residency- no, I mean oldest in terms of chronological age sort of terms. In actuality, the only way we take the Equinics torch anywhere is if there’s some sort of holder to which it can be affixed to on a Hoveround. “I can go go go! In my Hoveround! Go go go- and not fall on the ground!”  Seriously….I know of at least three guys there over 60. One is pushing 70. Know two more over 50. Hell, I’m a youngun at nearly 47? We only half-heartedly joke about Depends over here (otherwise known as Delpends). So, we’re not travelling anywhere- unless it’s on one of those tour buses with soothing music playing in the background, and I’d rather not go there. I’ll make it there on my own soon enough.

So, this sort of morphed into a history of DelPenn thing. Besides, I’m hoping that some fond memories of some of our old antics can soothe some of the angst I’m feeling about the place right now. That’s not an exaggeration. But you know, in times of trial, when you’re really trying to figure out which way you should go, which path to take when you run into a fork in the road, sometimes it helps to reflect back where you came from. Often, you’ll find it’s been a very good place, one that you should not so easily toss away with nonchalance.

I first saw the Equincs in 2000. Started playing the Sim in 1999. Watched the Bluegrass Oaks on the old, old OLD viewer (for those of you that never knew the original viewer, trust me- the one we have now is a treat. And by comparison, Coker’s viewer, comparing that to the old OLD viewer, well, it’s like comparing the space shuttle to cavemen trying to invent the wheel), and thought, “wow, how cool! I gotta try this!” Which I did when I got home from Kentucky. And ever since- hooked like a river trout with a fresh worm on a huge hook. But I digress…don’t remember much about the first Equinics of 2000. I don’t think I had joined a residency then, didn’t quite understand how fun they can be. Besides, I was stuck in the “how the hell do you win a race in this game?” mode. I think I went like 0 for my first 74. Got into such a frenzy to win a race that I actually opened two more stables trying to get over the hump. I finally did- some six months or so after I started, which was near the end of 1999. So, obviously, when I looked at this new thing called “Equinics”, I was sorta star struck. Wow. Where did all these good horses come from? How come mine suck? So, I didn’t have much to do with it.

But did you ever look at the 2000 Equinics? It’s pretty amazing to see how this idea, hatched in the fertile minds of Mano and Ladyssecret, has morphed into what it is today. I mean, go look at it. The initial Equinics had only 15 races. There were a mere 12 residencies competing for the crown. Some of ‘em, well, they don’t even exist anymore. Iowa. California. Nebraska. North Carolina. New York (the old one, not the fourth or so revival going now)….who were these guys, anyways?  DelPenn was there- just called Delaware in the old days…and as usual, we (well, they, acutally- I wasn’t there at the time, so I won’t partake in another old fashioned whipping, I got enough of them on my own) got the snot kicked out of us. Looks like the old Vikings from Sweden did pretty good there. There’s also some thing called the “Equinics Relays” which I never understood…still don’t. But DelPenn, in true fashion, well, they won one gold, one silver, and one bronze. Looks like a duel with North Carolina and Iowa for last place….uuuuuggggghhhhh.

But at that time, the boys probably had their minds fixated on other things- like how to rattle some of the other players in the game. Which, I understand, from legend at least, they were pretty damn good at. There was one guys that I never had the privilege- and I mean that sincerely, the privilege- of meeting, an ex-Navy sailor who went by the moniker ts. Apparently, that stood for toilet scrubber- and lives on today in the form of the Grade 1 Toilet Scrubbers Anonymous Handicap. He had an alter-ego, Dr. Dipper Lip, who used to, apparently, engage in all sorts of wacky stuff, like writing nasty pieces for the Sim Racing Form (now the BTB), and generally antagonizing the masses on the main MB with his pal, Bentnose. There were fake pictures of Roys in bondage, guys like Sal (made up to be a 450 pound Sumo man) sitting at his computer with food falling out of his mouth, Raider sitting on a toilet outside of his single wide trailer- all sorts of funny, but in today’s politically correct environment, not exactly flattering, stuff. There were also rumors of some sort of race fixing scandal, but I don’t know much about it…

Anyways, now we have stoners- banned from the MB. Well, ts was the original bannee, and that ought to tell you something. The stuff that flew on the MB back then would last about 30 seconds today. He made stoners look like a saint. TS stops by from time to time to say hello. Rumor has it that he and bentnose are on a mission to fix the Equinics this year. We’ll see…..

So, around 2002, after the collapse of the old New York Racing, I moved tack to DelPenn. Figured with the conservative politics, it would be a good place for me. Besides, my first real contact in the Sim, my good friend Whirlwind, had taken up residence there after New York closed. WW was the “beat writer” for the old New York track, and wrote some of the finest articles for the SRF that I’ve ever read. Had a cool signature line- “a bad day at the track is better than a good day anywhere else”- that I really liked. I didn’t have much to offer DelPenn for the 2002 Equinics. Apparently, neither did anyone else. We finished dead stinking last that year. Dead last. Four stinking points. Ouch. We were pretty bad. Consequently, much of that Equinics has been erased from my memory. I think Stretch did an outrageously funny diary that year- wish I had the link to it. Either he or TheAvenger….it was pretty funny, and the highlight of an otherwise ugly day for DelPenn.

Fast forward to 2004. We’d become quite a bit stronger by then. Fats was establishing himself as one of the best players in the game, WW had some good horses to kick around, and Revelation (our fearless leader from Day One- and one of the best people in this game) had a few as well. Stretch and TA kicked a couple in here and there, and I think I even managed to nab a bronze in one race. Still, not quite enough. We managed three gold medals, and tied for a fourth place finish behind the old Global Sim Racing. That was the year of the three part Equinics diary, where Fats got bit by the rattler and met up with ‘ol Snaggletooth. Morrissey joined us on our Equinics journey through the mountains. Old Mo. Miss him, too. Fatherhood looks like it’s treating Mo pretty good-he’s got a couple of adorable kids, and they occupy much of his time. Hence, Mo isn’t around anymore, which is clearly a loss. He and his fake plastic love were always a source of comedy at DelPenn- as were his rants about his superiority on the old board. Good stuff, good memories. An interesting aside to the ‘04 Equinics- who finished dead last that year? The GR Simsters. With perhaps a worst ever Equinics showing in history with ONE point. ONE. My, how things do change.

Fast forward to ‘06. We had definitely come a long way by now. The Super project was underway…that’s a whole different story that I won’t get into- and Fats had come into his own as a dominant force. Super was on it’s way to putting five horses into the starting gate for the Bluegrass Derby, and another four into the gate for the Bluegrass Oaks, and Fats had a blossoming monster named Horseshoe Bay. Behind those forces, we felt we at least had a shot. Hell, I even had a couple of contributions this time around, although they would prove to be nothing more than gigantic busts. So, the turf course comes up soft, and nearly everything we toss out there runs like crap on the grass. Race favorites fall like leaves from the trees in late October cold, and we go home with a well beaten tied for fourth performance. Behind, of all people, the GR Simsters. The “we have ONE point” GR Simsters from ‘04. Sheesh.

But still, ‘06 was a good year. DelPenn took home seven Eclipse Awards that season. We had a ton of good horses, and competition was at an all time high. For some reason, though, we just can’t break through on the big days. Know how many competitions we’ve won since I arrived? Equinics, Smackdowns, interresidency challenges? ZERO. NONE. NADA. NIENTE. Holy crap. Maybe I’m the kiss of rotten luck or something.

So what’s up for ‘08? Well, we look pretty strong. Maybe not GR Simsters strong, but competitive. We managed to close the gap in Smackdown, so that’s a plus. We’ve gotten an infusion of fresh blood over the past couple of years- Keely, Doctahg, sdmf- that have helped us immensely. Some of the oldtimers are still kicking around, too. We’ve been missing the likes of TS and a few others over the years, but still, we persevere.

So, what to do? I really don’t know. We bicker, we fight, we argue- but isn’t that what families do all the time? Bicker? Argue? Hell, it wouldn’t be family if you didn’t get to kick your siblings in the crotch once in a while, would it? And family- well, that triumphs over everything else. You stick with your family- through the good times and the bad, and you always come out the better for it.

So, here comes DelPenn once again. Maybe not a big happy family right now, but a family nonetheless. One that shares bonds that extend far beyond the borders of this game. We share good times with each other. We hook up with each other. I’ve met several of my co-members on numerous occassions, and I can honestly say that each one of them- every single one- is a salt of the earth type of person. Of course, we go through some rough patches, but that’s life. Alfred Blalock, the pioneering surgeon, once said, “if you don’t have any regrets in your life, you haven’t really lived…..” How true.

Get out of the way. Here comes TA with the Crown Royal Equinic flask tied to his wheelchair. Here comes Raider, fresh with his new bride, even if it’s his sixth or seventh- I lost count. Here comes sdmf, with his guitar strung over his shoulder, ready to give his best game. Doctahg is armed with his molar pullers, so keep your mouths closed. Keely, don’t let the smile and the blue eyes betray you- she’s out for big game. WW has enough wine to keep us primed. Fats still motors down the highway with some of the best out there. I’m just along for the ride….maybe this time, we’ll reach the top.

I can go go go! on my Hoverround! Go go go! run you right into the ground!”

Look out. Here comes DelPenn National. The longest running, best place to be in the Sim.

IT IS OUR TIME!

Good luck to all in the Equinics (but not too much).

Chicago is humid in the summer, but the heat is barely noticable to the throngs of Cubs fans in the bleachers who are drunk on the intoxicating euphoria of a baseball team headed to the playoffs.  Well, that and frosty malt beverages.  This is the height of summer and the GR Simsters have gathered at Wrigley Field to start the journey to Equinics.  It is difficult to become a champion, but even harder to repeat and that is the task which faces the GRS.  Fortunately, nothing can be more relaxing than a day at the ball park, right?  Works in theory, but in practice the denizons of the bleachers are casting malicious glances in our direction as Given keeps extolling the virtues of Chase Utley and the Phillies who are currently leading the Cubs. 

“This is going to be three straight MVPs for the Phillies, we have the best closer in baseball (if you count best at choking I ruminate) and this is our year” says Given.  PadreBri seems to be enjoying the beer and some offense, which is a strange change of pace since his Padres only have one player who can hit the ball out of the infield.   I decline to point out that since Philadelphia hasn’t won a championship since the Korean War, and that’s all of Philadelphia, not just the Phillies, it seems statistically improbable that this is their year.  Desperado is voraciously chewing down a brat or two and is nodding enthusiastically in agreement.  Ahhh…. hope is a beautiful thing.  Hope is an entity that I cling to with the Tigers, maybe they will ride a blazing hot Verlander and an offense that is finally playing to form all the way to the playoffs.  Hope is a thing that drew us all to Chicago in 2004 for our first Equincs.  Hope wasn’t in the Hyatt that day, or at least was gone shortly after the races began as the GRS were routed off the track, achieving one third place finish.  In all the races.  But hey, we had a great dinner at Gibson’s, which is where we would be heading after the game, the GRS renting out the restaurant for the evening and throwing a kickoff pass the torch party.  Newer members of the GRS Dydalt, Liam and Linneastrylon were surprised at all the free perks that accompany this trip which would take us from Chicago, to Kentucky, to Saratoga.  “Don’t worry,” TM says, “I’m an expert handicapper and make enough at the track to pay for all of this”.  In the background, a dozen people roll their eyes and slurp down their smiles with beer. 

After the game, the GRS board their custom Escalades and prepare to head over to Gibson’s.  No Limos here, we aren’t resting on our laurels.  Got to stay hungry, we can’t have any Rocky III scenarios where we lose of the eye of the tiger.  We arrive at Gibson’s and the party gets rolling.  Rick and Lopo dive into the magnificiently marbled choice cuts of USDA beef.  Given is floating just this side of paradise as Chase Utley is at his table talking about the sacrifices needed to achieve victory on a team. 

“You guy’s throw a great party Given, don’t wear yourselves out before the big day,” says Utley. 

“Well, the horses actually do most of the work,” replies Given.  And there was actually quite a bit here about the above mentioned sacrifice, drive and hard work, but if I transcribe that aren’t you going to be thinking blah blah blah?  Exactly. 

Gibson’s also drew Tony Romo and Jessica Simpson, which of course drew paparazzi as well.  “You think we’ll be on E,” wonders Reman.  “Nah, I don’t think they have E in this reality” I reply.  “Most of this exists primiarly in my mind and on the internet.  It is for entertainment purposes only.”  Tgulch ponders for a moment and then takes a sip of whiskey, “So if we only exist in your mind and on the internet, do we actually exist at all?”  Don’t you love philosophy after eight hours of drinking?

Speaking of drinking, I ask Tony, “Is this the year Tony?  I feel like a frickin’ Cardinals fan, we haven’t won a playoff game in..well let’s just say that there are 4th graders that have never seen the Cowboys win a playoff game.” 

“Dude, don’t worry, this is the year.  See my Hickory shirt?  I’m all over a Jimmy Chitwood impression this year.”

“So I guess Jessica really enjoys her Gibson’s steak?”

“Yeah, something like that”.

Lure asked Tony, “What do you think about our chances in Equinics?”

“You guys look great on paper, just try and avoid distractions, like trips to Mexico during the playoffs or elaborate road trips across the country peppered with drinking adventures that leave everyone passed out.” 

Yah, that would never happen……

“Enough with the fawning over your sports heroes, what Tom Brady couldn’t make it?” asked Lenny.  “Meeting us in Saratoga,” I said.  “Now that is someone I want to meet,” says MaNature.  ”Let’s get to the gratuitious shots of hotties,” states Dead.  Couldn’t agree more.  Also at the party was the lovely Kate Beckinsale, who was understandably a huge hit at the party.  Nothing quite like a British accent to stir up the blood.

  Kate not surprisingly is a fan of turf racing.  She impresses the GRS by talking up Henry the Navigator and comments on some of the GRS turf horses.  “When are you making another Underworld,” asks Willyam. 

“What all you want to see me in is skin body suits firing guns?”

(All guys in the vicinity) “Well, yah!”

Megan Fox was at the bar doing shots with Gobidon and Galloplaz.

She didn’t know much about horse racing, but she looked awfully good in a silver dress.  The party was a great way to celebrate the renewal of the Equinics bond. The GSR had a chance to blow off some steam and look forward to the journey of the torch. 

Now some of you might be wondering where Lenny has been this whole time.  After all, he is the Lennbrenner and his empire does span the length of the SIM.  Where is Lenny?

Lenny spent the evening talking to the alluring Kat Von D and rumor has it that he has a new tatoo. 

And that’s all for Chicago.  The group retired to their rooms at the original Hyatt and prepared for the journey to Kentucky.

 The GR Simsters have made their way to the beautiful rolling hills of Kentucky.  Or as Hawkeye said, Ken-tuck-ee.  GRS organized this trip to Kentucky so all of it’s members could get a chance to visit many of the stallions we routinely breed to on a regular basis, and to pay tribute to the legacy of Storm Cat and the memory of Vindication.  For myself, I wanted to seek out a destination I’ve missed in my previous four trips to Kentucky, the Maker’s Mark distillery.  Whiskey finally gets prioritized!

“Don’t you always prioritize whiskey,” ponders Given. 

Moving on…. PadreBri, who wrote a memorable eulogy of what Vindication meant to him, leads a group of GRS to Hill n Dale to pay their respects.  I had the opportunity to visit Vindication a few years ago, and when I arrived for my appointment at Hill n Dale, no one was around.  I wandered up to the Stallion barn and say Theatrical and Medaglio d’Oro.  I went to the paddock areas and saw this striking black/brown stallion.  He came right up to me and was very playful.  So much so in fact, that he wouldn’t turn his head so I could see his name plate on his bridle. (thank you Lane’s End for convieniantly putting name plates on the paddock fencing).  Finally, I had to sprint away from him so he would turn his head and then quick went back.  It was then that I discovered it was Vindication.  I had a chance to spend about 20 minutes with him all by myself.  I will always remember this experience. 

Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Let’s hope there is a champion in one of your last few crops to help you do just that Vindy.

We head to Overbrook Farm to see the great Storm Cat.  MTK tries to explain to Storm Cat how hard he is to get in the SIM now that this is his last class  of 2yos, but he doesn’t seem to understand.  He is sleek and graceful, even at this age.  “Marvelous horse,” says Saracen.  Y2J goes on one of her obscure yet strangely compeling stories about Storm Cat’s legacy.  I would transcribe this for you, but I’m mentally at Maker’s Mark.  Or maybe that’s physically.  Maybe I’m drinking Maker’s Mark at Overbrook, you just never know after eight glasses of whiskey (or more - but there is always that glass too far…right Tony?)  The tour continues with a trip to WinStar where everyone is awed by the majesty that is the American hero Tiznow (#2 in the 2008 sire stats if you’re keeping track, does a week go by when he doesn’t have a stakes winner? cough…cough…hint..hint…bump his stats Mike.  What?  Who said that?  Wasn’t me.)  “I can see why you like him, he’s beautiful,” says Jessimare.  Mig2 agrees and gets his picture taken with the stallion. 

Finally, we move on to what I call horse heaven, Lane’s End.  “If I were a horse, I’d want to end my days here,” says Tonno.  Look of Eagles boy himself, A.P. Indy resides here and one glance of his statuesque profile as he gazes across the horizon reaffirms everything we all love about horse racing.  Tracy and Nemesis are quite taken by the looks of Dixie Union and he is almost perfect, the type of horse you see in old photographs of horses which 19th century Romanovs or Hapsburgs used to ride. 

 ”Let’s get a drink dude,” says Lenny, “Agreed, though I already have one,” say I.  (both above).

The GR Simsters have rented out a floor of the Galt House (official sponsor of Kentucky Derby accomodations) and the party begins a new.  The Equinics torch is 2/3 of the way home.  I’m less than coherant after a tasting session at Maker’s Mark.  PadreBri and Lenny match me drink for drink and the sultry summer night decends on Louisville.  Topicount talks about upcoming 2yos that look promising.  I can’t stop talking about Azul Leon and Saratoga Storm.  Gemic leads a rousing rendition of Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ On a Prayer”, which I hope isn’t a predicton of our Equinics chances.  Mike978, Vor and Circusham all get involved in an OTB betting contest that involves shots of Patron, and I don’t think any of them remember how they got back to their rooms.  And what’s with this sleeper cell in our midst??

What is DelPenn doing crashing our party?? (KY Derby shot actually).  Is this a form of psychological warfare?  Keep an eye on him guys and gals.

The Equinics torch was still lit in the morning, and the GRS boarded their Escalades and drove cross country to Saratoga.  We drove into picturesque Saratoga, NY and pulled into the Gideon Putnam Hotel.  “Wow, this is posh,” says Desperado, “are you sure we can afford this?”  I say something to the effect of talk to the Lennbrenner, and I see him fumbling with the residency credit card but am distracted by the greatest American sports hero, Tom Brady.  Brady and I know each other from our Michigan days, so we fall back into form and talk about RR’s resurrection of Michigan football and I try not to star at Giselle’s talent.  I was unsuccessful.  Don’t tell Tom.  They are going to be in attendance at Equinics and that doesn’t leave too much pressure, he’s only a three time Super Bowl Champ.  Brady wishes us luck and we all go into the reserved dining room where PadreBri is already leading a chant, “Strike First, Strike hard, No Mercy Sir!”  Our silks decorate the ballroom like the pallasade of a medival jousting tournament and the air is thick with anticipation and testoserone.  TM is furiously handicapping the Saratoga races.  We start to debate the Look of Eagles theory vs. Beyer Speed figures, Rick steps in and gives his advice, which should probably be respected because he is one heck of handicapper and the brain versus eye debate rages until I see, her, our reward for winning Smackdown - Buffy. 

“You won!  You guys so are so rad!  I just have three words for you…..Do it Again!  Do is Again!  Well I guess that was technically six words, but whatever.”

“Come on Buff, don’t jinx us, we have a chance but these Equinics are the hardest races in the SIM.  We found that out back in Chicago four years ago.  Along the way I’ve met at ton of wonderful people, both in this residency and outside.  This is the best online community that myself and all the GRS have ever been apart of and this is the signature event.”

“You team looks ready, and they certainly have been having fun,” noted Buffy.

“That’s what’s it all about.”

“Gonna give me a prediction?” purrs Buffy.

“Not about racing.  Do I get a kiss if we win?”

“You play your cards right, you might make out better than that.”

Given is at the podium giving a toast to strength and honor.  The GR Simsters have walked the glory road and it has led us to this moment.  Tell them all the GRS were here on this day.  The torch has been passed.  The GR Simsters are ready for the competition and the attempt to defend our title. 

As I retire to the grotto with Buffy, a Maker’s Mark in hand, I bid you all farwell and I’ll see you on the track.  Best of luck to all residencies in this competition and have fun!