and RUN when jock agents arrive?

Never said I went looking for them, I just happened to be having the Cadillac of Margaritas when they came in, Santos(whom I lost a huge tri on that day but kept that to myself) and I believe Migs was coming in as I was leaving and Bob intro. me to as well. Couple of others but had too many Margaritas to remember. They were very cordial and thank us for being fans of the sport. Not many other athletes or famous folks can say the same IMO.

I agree.

I don't.

I am taking nothing away from the vast majority of riders, and their pretty much extremely generous behavoir in Saratoga, but compared to other " athletes " and famous people they are hardly well known, nor do they act differently than most.

One of my close friends is a well known movie actor and he is unbelievably gracious to everybody who stops him on the street or sees him publicly. Certainly everybody is not quite as generous, but most are within reason, just like the riders. To say that " not many others " behave in that manner is grossly unfair.

I bet Dixie is pretty gracious towards all of his fans too.

How did you know that's who I meant?

I know a few "famous" folks myself that are gracious and friendly as well, but I think it's fair to say that the MAJORITY of famous people are not so gracious. Furthermore, while the jockeys are not considered well known to you, they are to other people who may not be as deep into the racing industry as yourself. I would say that since you are considered an insider, you couldn't possibly think of the jockeys as famous people and therefore you can't judge. :p

You don't understand. In Saratoga, the riders are well known, as frankly am I, but in the outside world very few people know who they are. That is a fact.

While the famous people I know are in the film business, and I have spent time with more than a few, the're almost all extremely gracious to everybody that speaks to them. Perhaps in other segments of supposed " famous " people this is not true. There are jerks in all walks of life....and any famous person that doesn't return their fan's adoration with generosity is completely out of line, within reason, as without those people they would be nothing.

I give out autographs all the time

I DO understand, Andy... but what I'm saying is that to people who are racing fans, the jockeys and YOU are famous. For example, you may not give a shiat about NASCAR and therefore the drivers of the cars are nameless to you (thus not famous), but to a diehard NASCAR fan, they are famous. To each their own is all I'm saying.

OK. My real argument is the suggestion that jockeys somehow act differently than other " famous people " with their graciousness. That is unfair and untrue.

Getting back to the original question, I was just suggesting a nice place to go after the races to have a few cocktails, some good food, and great atmosphere with Jocks or without. I'm sorry BTW that I and apparently quite a few of the members, longstanding or new, are not worthy of expressing our viewpoints in your company.

To this, I say "GOOD DAY!!"

Ok, fair enough. You win. :D

Regardless... hope I get to meet you and everyone else up at Toga. I need to book my flight still, but it sounds like it's going to be awesome.

It's a message board. People have a right to comment on what is posted. It is not our concern if you don't like being disagreed with. Nobody was the least bit out of line....other than you with this post perhaps.

Ron Jeremey is not a famous movie actor Andy, cmon.

At least spell his name right. The dude has certainly earned that.

Did you see him at Saratoga a couple years ago?

I don't know him as well as you which is why I can't spell his name right. LOL....No, he was in Toga? Attracting all the heavyweights up there.

certainly an apt description for him

Yeah, he was there one day in 2005.

Remind me when you see me to tell you the funny related story.

Will do.

the most "famous" person I have spent the most time with is a formal professional athelete. Im very proud to call him a friend and know that if I ever need a single thing, he is a phone call away. I have seen the way that he has treated the "general public" and I promise you that many people could stand to take a lesson from him in humility.

I do believe what BTW is trying to convey is that to compare the graciousness of jockeys compared to other famous people is unfair, is that even though at Saratoga, Keeneland and maybe some other places they may be treated like celebraties but all in all they will go through most of the year not being pestered for autographs, hounded by the paparazzi, not being able to leave their confines without people hounding them. thus leaving them to be more gracious and actually enjoy the attention of some fame.
As with famous actors, athletes, entertainers, who are more widely known, who can't go to the store for a gallon of milk, they sometimes won't be so gracious with the fans etc because it has worn them down.

Like Manny being Manny, Just Kiddin'. BTW & ME resolved this in private, I do see the point. Huge Sox fan here in Upstate NY, and that doesn't mean Orange, Westchester and Putnam CO. (those are Downstate regardless of what they think) short trip to The SPA, we don't get NESN, just wondering if you've caught any Spring Tr. yet?

Caught a few games so far. I am oringinally an Upstate NY'er as Well. 45 mins west of Albany, small town called St. Johnsville. Grew up going to the Spa and still make the annual pilgrimage every year and have turned many of friends here on to the place.
Always seem to be a good number of Red Sox fans in upstate, I think it's great.

Saints alive!!!
 

Home of the Purple and Gold, the Schoff's and well that's about it. Just kidding!!

Your team just won Boys Hoop Sectionals, I grew up and still live in a small town out there, Home of the Hilltoppers!!! Small world ain't it!!:D

LOL LOL Holy Crap, Fort Plain Huh? One of the Schoff's was atwedding out here in November.

Class of '93 @ FP, Played summer ball for Roger Weaver & Jason Brundage
for American Legion.

Hickory Hill Hoff is FP guy too, lives outside of Fonda now, in School early '80's
Capper for the Amsterdam Recorder, @ the Spa all the time, I can only make it a few times a meet(wife doesn't let me & busy work season)
Also have a few other pals connected to ST. J who go to track lots.

Wow this is really a small world. Jason Brundage graduated a year ahead of me< I know him very well, I graduated with his wife in '88. I know Roger Weaver personally as well.
I don't know if they still do it but for year and year The restaurant Ripie's on Rt 5 ST.J would go over every Monday at The Spa and get the same spot and bring tons of food and beer. Great Tradition.

Hopefully we can run into each other at the track this year.

Not sure if The Ripepi guys still do that or not, I do play in the Hosehead Golf Tourney every year that Reggie, oops, Roger puts on, I see Jason occasionally as he is Athletic Dir. and I Ref. girls soccer. Our FP crew goes every opening day, you might know Pat Hanifin(Jeanette Carter Husb) is one, Tom Pavlus and a few other in that late 80's era.

The St. J gang is over there every Monday...John, Keene and even Floyd the barber sometimes...the Hoffman's from St. J are relatives to me, as well as the Kreigers. There used to be a poster on this site that grew up in Little Falls...but he doesn't post here no more. Small world.....

Sometimes mine wish I would less.....:eek:

:D Guess you and I would never get along...I've actually been known to even consider a couple of exercise riders as friends....but then again I'm not famous either... :)

Holy crap oh yeah I know Pavlus and Pat Hanifin, I was great friends with Jeanette Carter. Holy Sheeeet!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hanifin's a great guy.

So you're related to JR and Paul Hoffman? This is unbelivable. I hung out with JR throughout high school. Keene Thomas still goes huh? What a character he is .

I keep telling those 2 about this site but no luck gettin'em here yet, Hoffy got me hooked on, lots of fun!!!
I live next door to Pavlus!!

Hey, I'm friends with a few jockeys, which I guess is why I have trouble getting along with myself.