If you really think they don't contribute to the handle, you've never stood in line for 45 minutes getting shut out trying to make a bet. I bet at least two races per trip just to prevent this. Even the lines at the $50 window are occupied. True there are undoubtedly thousands who don't put anything in, but every window on the infield is jam packed by the third race.

Also, while it is true a lot of booze makes it through the gate hidden from the cops, the game has greatly changed since the new security measures in 2002. No more coolers, and they search bags. Same as the betting windows, the lines for mint juleps are always full, and the infield has sold out of mint juleps two of the last four years.

I couldn't imagine what I would do if I was denied mint juleps at the Derby. That would be scandalous.

I think phil is auditioning for a churchill management position. :D

I found Vodka in a plastic bag to be very effective. They never know it's there

I wish I was denied those things, they taste god awful

I heard a funny story about sneaking stuff into the infield. a few times during the spring meet after the Derby they open the infield up and have car shows and stuff like that. One day they found two guys with a trash bag full of liquor who were digging a hole out beyond where the porta potties were. They were going to bury the bag and dig it up on derby day the next year. Unfortunately for them they did it during a raceday in broad daylight and got caught.

are you american?

-bt-

the first might not be great...but they tend to taste better after a few.:D

if they had a clue they would hire him asap

I have no idea what you're talking about.



;) :D

Behooved, fine sir.


I know... but I think most of this is due to the complete incompetence of the tellers and the bettors. Most of these people only bet once or twice a year, and the tellers only work the totalisator machines once or twice a year, and their "training" consists of about 15 minutes of learning how to count money. I know because I asked the woman why she didn't know how to correctly enter a pick 4.

How can one not like a drink that is basically bourbon and a couple sprigs of mint?

i love it, but when i swallow the mint leafs it gets ugly, fast

-bt-

At least the mint is a built-in breath freshener.

Ziploc Freezer Bags do the trick nicely. They can be resealed, are thick and rarely leak :o .

I think you were trying to smoke the mint last year....everyone knows the first drink at 8am is terrible, but by the 4th one, just like drinking kool-aid:zz:

Got to agree. I drink bourbon as my drink of choice. They have two lines for drinks, any drink, which are always very long, and Mint Julips, which are always short. I'd rather have my bourbon plain, but I figure I save hours at least grabbing the julips.

Spyder

Great minds think alike!:)

I had a friend bring some of the best reefer to Saratoga once and he gave me some extra. Since I was on business heading for a flight home to the Carolinas via Boston, I hid it in a gas station bathroom under the sink near a customer in Providence. Did not get back that way for over a year, and you know what...it was still there.

Baby bottles thrown in a cheap daiper bag always work.