A different tune will kick off the Belmont Stakes

[OldDog]

After brief consideration . . . and some Woodford on the rocks . . . perhaps it's best that a song is used to which the crowd cannot sing along. Invariably I cringe as the TV mic picks up a segment of the crowd singing pathetically off-key. Last month I distinctly heard a chorus or horrible attempts during the playing of my beloved My Old Kentucky Home, which thank God is played (not sung) each year by a university band that does the job right. Note to NBC: A mic on the band ONLY will suffice, thank you. Don't put one on the drunks in the crowd. And while Sinatra was one of the best, the sight of folks arm in arm attempting to dance step to NYNY would be a signal that it's a good time to hit the head before the race.