Storm Boot Gold & Gary Contessa in the paddock at Belmont before the 2006 Evan Shipman

I decided last night to take a pass on handicapping any races this weekend. It’s been a long month or so and it’s not like I’m on a winning streak.

After the Breeders’ Cup I had decided that, for the most part, that winter racing at Aqueduct would be my break from New York racing. I follow it closely in the spring, summer and fall but winter would be my time to (sporadically) follow Derby preps and have some downtime.

With spring kind of in the air, I took a peak at the Aqueduct card and noticed Storm Boot Gold was running in the Instant Friendship. My first trip to the track, and real introduction to horse racing, was July 22nd, 2006 at my beloved Belmont and Storm Boot Gold was the morning line favorite in the Evan Shipman.

Swifty and I had been talking about going to the Belmont for a while. He had gone to the track with his grandpa as a kid and had recently been back to accompany a friend of a friend who traveled from out of town for a Seabiscuit giveaway at Belmont. (Yes, I can trace my path to being a fan back to a NYRA giveaway… I guess they do work!).

When we arrived at Belmont I was immediately taken by the 70’s vibe of the “decor”, which was comprised of mostly signage indicating the bar or betting slips.

I also loved the layout, we quickly established the routine of going to the paddock, to the parade to the windows to the seats… all with relative ease and efficiency. My record keeping wasn’t so hot so I can’t tell who was the first horse I ever bet on. I only actually wrote down of a couple of my bets but I know I wagered on every race (I was there, right?).

From what I have written down, in the 3rd I did a $1 tri box on 1-7-10 and 7-2-10 came in. In the Oaks I put $10 on Pine Island to win, Swifty had the winner, Wonder Lady Anne L.

While I didn’t write it down, I know I put money on Storm Boot Gold to win the Evan Shipman, Swifty did too. Spite the Devil ended up winning and Storm Boot Gold came in last. I’m rooting for him today, as I do every time I notice that he’s running.

When we first arrived at Belmont, we approached a big simulcast results board crowded with older gentleman wearing large glasses. While making the ‘Welcome to Fantasy Island’ hand gesture Swifty said, “Welcome to your future”… and he was right! I’m really looking forward to getting back out to Belmont… it’s classy and a classic!

I didn’t come away a winner on the day but definitely felt an Instant Friendship, if you will. It wasn’t until a couple of months later when I went back in the Fall and tripled my money that I fell in love, but that’s a story for another time. Until then, here’s the full photo set from the day.