That’s all folks!

by Gordon Waterstone

Because of a tight deadline on Sunday (AKA Kentucky Futurity Day) I am composing the season finale of Backstretch With Gordon prior to the race card that has a 1 p.m. post time. And as I write this column, I admit I am a little tired.

No, I’m not worn out from walking nearly 3½ miles at The Red Mile during Saturday’s program (according to my health app), but rather from staying up late to watch my hometown Tigers win Game 1 of the playoff series against the Mariners. The 11-inning game ended at the stroke of midnight, and as I was tingling with excitement, it was hard to fall asleep.

I turned down dinner offers Saturday night to go to Tony’s, Jeff Ruby’s, Le Deauville, Malones and even Joe Bologna’s so that I could stay home and watch the baseball game. Actually, I didn’t get a single invite Saturday night — despite all these people in town and dining out — so I went home, popped open a can of spaghetti, and settled in on the couch with my cat Willow. Oh yeah, I did turn down a late invitation from Moira Fanning and Gunjan Patel to join them at the firepit at the Marriott Griffin Gate.

Back to Friday night for a quick second. I did get to Malone’s that night via an invitation by Moira to join her, Judy Wilson, Tom and Sue Charters and Kim Rinker. The restaurant is about 150 yards from where I live across the street, so it was an easy commute.

Moira and I ordered up vodka martinis — dirty with olives — to honor the memory of our late, great friend Randy Manges. The toast also remembered a lot of others we’ve recently lost, including Barry Lefkowitz and Kim’s father, Don. For many years Don always came to Lexington for the Grand Circuit meet with Kim, and as he advanced through his 90s, I told him every year I expected to see him back the following year.

Alas, Don didn’t get to make the trip this year as he passed away in January at the age of 97. I think Don had something to do with the fabulous weather we had in the Bluegrass over the past two weeks.

When I woke up Saturday morning, I turned on the TV to watch some local news. The lead story was about a power failure on the southwest side of town, which included Keeneland and Bluegrass Airport. My first thought was Chris Tully must’ve tried plugging in that dang toaster again, but I confirmed with Chris that at the time of the incident he was still fast asleep. I never did see what the reason for the outage was, but I know that both Keeneland and the airport both got back operating.

I walked back to the paddock prior to the first race and a few horsemen stopped for a second to say hello. I spoke to Yannick Gingras and Andy McCarthy for a few minutes. I do remember telling Andy I hope he’d have a good day, so I’m taking credit for his four-win afternoon on Saturday.

As I was walking back to the track, I came across John Campbell heading toward me. I asked John if he had picked up any drives and was walking back to change into his colors, and he laughed and told me that wasn’t his intention.

I went up to take a seat in The Hambletonian Society box but made a quick pit stop before I did so. As I was coming back out somebody stopped me to say hello. Wearing a hat and sunglasses, I didn’t recognize Scott Mogan. A few minutes after I got to my seat, James Platz came over to say hello as well, and we talked about his heroic efforts helping Boss Dave get quotes out at the sale. James told me he’d be covering the Futurity Day Card, so make sure to check out his report.

Before I forget — again — Emily Ratcliff told me earlier that the presenter of the Futurity trophy will be incoming UK freshman basketball player Jasper Johnson. Emily said Jasper will also be signing autographs in the clubhouse, so hopefully people took advantage of that.

While on my way earlier to the paddock I was surprised to see four or five food trucks in the parking lot. So, during the card, I decided to make my way back to get some flavored ice. The guy talked me into getting the strawberry, which of course led to me having very red lips. After a few people pointed out I was wearing red, I made sure to hit the bathroom to wash my face. As I was headed in, I heard somebody yell “Witherspoon!” Of course, it could only be Bill Bigler.

By the way, when I was headed back to the track with my flavored ice, I ran into Trish Hammond, who had the same idea as I did. I told Trish I felt bad for the food truck people as nobody really knew they were there, and she told me Mark Weaver had come down earlier to make sure they had some business as he brought back trays of items for his large group. I plan on returning Sunday afternoon to get some ice cream.

And I can confirm Mark did bring a bunch of things to his large group as I wandered over to his box and he was holding about 10 inches worth of napkins. Mark also had on a backpack as he was toting precious cargo: his cute little dog Parker.

When I got back to the Society box, others were sitting there, including ex-Boss Kathy and Tom Charters. Tom then introduced me to Marilyn Hardy, the widow of Ontario-based horseman Ken Hardy. Ken was a Windsor regular back in the day when I was regularly making trips across the bridge or tunnel to go to the races. So, it was really nice reminiscing with Marilyn about all those Windsor-area horsemen.

My former Horseman And Fair World co-worker Lynne Myers was having lunch in the clubhouse Saturday with her husband Mike, who likes to sport around town in a vintage 1985 automobile. They were ecstatic that Emily got them the first window table, which gave them one of the best views in the house. I was glad I was able to sit with them for a couple races to enjoy that view.

I was glad I had a chance to see my sponsors Steve and Cindy Stewart of Hunterton Farm and Hunterton Sales Agency, and I asked Steve his take on the results at the Lexington Selected Yearling Sale. “Over the top,” is what Steve answered.

Hunterton was the leading consignor at the sale, selling 121 yearlings for a total gross of $12,052,000. Steve told me the average was oh so close to $100,000 (actual average $99,603). I can’t express my appreciation enough for the Stewarts’s longstanding sponsorship of my column, as well as their friendship.

As I wrap things up, I need to thank everybody for reading. It’s awesome to find out that people do read this column when they likely have better things to do. It’s nice when people I don’t know take the time to reach out and give me their appreciation.

This was the 23rd year I’ve done Backstretch With Gordon, starting with that idea from ex-Boss Kathy back at The Horseman in 2003. When the treasured magazine closed, I went to work for the U.S. Trotting Association, and they allowed me to continue for a couple years. That then led me to HRU, and I can’t thank Boss Dave for his generosity. Thanks to both Boss Dave and Debbie Little for their help with putting my column on the pages of HRU.

I had decided before this year’s meet started that it would be my last trolling The Red Mile. I told a few people, and they all seemed to understand. With the backstretch community shrinking each year, and my trolling area getting smaller and smaller as I get older and older, things to me were starting to get a bit stagnant. That’s why, in addition to the real stories, I transformed a bit into a little Indian Charlie where I could throw out a zinger or too. Right, Michael Carter?

I told my agents Amy Hollar and Nick Salvi of my intentions, and both raised a ruckus and told me I couldn’t jump ship. Nick told me he uses my agent commissions to spend money freely across many of the dance clubs in Lexington, while Amy told me she just bought a new house with the funds. Oh wait, I’m sorry, it was just new windows Amy was putting in on her old house.

When I saw Steve Stewart at The Red Mile Saturday afternoon, I told him of my plans to retire the column. Steve told me I couldn’t do that, and we would talk about it later. So, I guess if Nick and Amy can work out a nice deal for me with Steve, and Boss Dave at HRU agrees, maybe I’m not done after all. Next year is a year off so we shall see what happens.

But if I do hit the trail, remember that I am grateful for all the kind words over the years. When I know, you will know. And remember, gas prices around Lexington as of last night ranged from $2.94-2.99.