I need a couple of guys to drop out.

Andy is not an idiot. You may disagree with him, which I do at times, but he's very much a fan of the game and on our side. He's very opinionated and I like that. People who don't care aren't opinionated.

Andy is very sharp. I think we're lucky to have guys like him who show up and suit up every day. He will say negative things, which are good and very constructive. I don't think there is any bigger fan of NY Racing than Andy and that was even before he worked for NYRA.

That's very nice of you to say ( really ).

I was just joking. I assumed everyone realized that I am Andy ( that I'm not joking about ).

Wait...Blackthroatedwind is Andy S??

Didn't know that and was very sincere. I go back to the old days at Siro's and I miss those days. I remember when Harvey used to call you "Little Andy". One day leaving the track he told me "that kid is sharp as a tack, listen to him".

I used to hang out with one of your high school teachers, Alan. He used to bartend at the 1/16th pole. Super good guy. He used to say you were the smartest guy he ever taught.

I think you do a great job everyday. I watch Talking Horses and think it is great. Mike Beer is good and both of you are great together. The FOX work is great too and I'm enjoying seeing you on the national stage.

Are you opinionated ? Yes, absolutely. i love that. Do I agree ? No, not 100%, but I love that you say it and stand behind it. We need more like that who aren't afraid to say "This is BS".

I'm a 100% Andy fan.

Thanks.

The teacher you are referring to is probably Nick Alex. A great guy for sure.

He was Alan, we used to go across Union Ave. after the races, maybe at Duke's or one of those joints right across the street. Super nice guy. He told me his last name, but I forgot it. He tended bar inside the grandstand at the 1/16th pole for about 5 or 6 years and he retired in 2012 or so. I lost track of him.

At least he told me he was Alan. Maybe he could have been Nick. Who knows. Maybe I could have been Nick, maybe I could have been Alan.