CyberZahm

The 6th annual Saratoga Springs Golf/Horse Racing outing of the Northeast sector of CyberZahm expanded to allow maiden entries. Guy Danza, who's been lobbying for a while to join in with Four Horseman (brother Al, Andy, Fox, Mags) joined in and Hans (aka Mr. CyberZahm Reunion Stalwart) made the trek from Chi-town. Jack the Puss was a late scratch and will have to up his entry fee for next year's purse.

Saratoga horse-racing traditionally is a 6-week meet starting last week of July and ending on Labor Day, with one "dark" day (Tuesday) when there is no racing. Past gathering format has been a Monday arrival with a Par 3 warm-up round in the morning, horse races in the afternoon, golf at the Hilands Club on Tuesday and another round at Saratoga State Park course Wednesday, with optional horse races following. This year, the track has two dark days, Monday and Tuesday, so we shifted to optional Sunday arrival for races, golf on Monday and Tuesday, and races on Wednesday.

Sunday - Al, Guy, and Fox arrive. Fox claims the Queen room at Chez Mags in exchange for a dozen vintage vinyl albums. We head to the track for some pony races, taking the local trolley and a cooler full of cold beer. Guy grabs the last picnic table near the paddock and we settle in to beer, cigars, handicapping, and people-watching. Al is hot early on with his picks. Guy introduces us to "The Stretch" for NYRABets cardholders, and we all join up with a promotion to "Bet $200 / Get $200". We (mostly Guy) entertain waitress Tara with tales of Shania Twain.

Post-track, head to dinner at a new downtown Italian spot where the boys treat Mags and his lovely spouse Elaine to a fine meal. Guy rates the meatballs a C+; the owner is not amused.

Monday - Up early at Chez Mags. Al takes a long walk, scouting out the Par 3 for a pre-golf warmup. But, likely due to the extra racing dark day, the Par 3 is booked solid. We rendezvous with Hans and Andy (a lovely sight to see), and Al's friend Bill, for a 1:00 tee-time at the State Park course. We slog through the heat and generate reasonable scores on the course, with Al, Hans, and Guy leading the way. Andy braved through 9 holes after his 4-hour drive and mostly liquid (non-alcohol) diet. He's a gamer and deserves the little pony statue for just being with us.

Drinks, post-golf chatter at Chez Mags, then down to the "Local" pub for dinner and more banter. Fox refuses to order Shepherd's pie made with cow. Stubborn Irishman.

Cheers!

Tuesday - Up and out to Hiland Golf Club in Lk George/Queensbury area. Longer, hillier course than Saratoga. No holes-in-one to report, but again some very good rounds by Al, Hans, and Guy. Guy beats Al to get a win for team Guy/Mags over losers Al/Fox. Hans wins $5 from Al in their sidebets. Fox takes off for home after golf, possibly hunting for more yard sale purchases of vintage vinyl on the way home.

Solid Lineup

Tuesday night we have a hearty meal at Forno Bistro on Broadway in Saratoga then stroll down to Caroline St where it's wall-to-wall bars/taverns. The Tin & Lint claims to be the birth place of Don McLean's "American Pie", but do you believe everything you read? Hans spots a bar (Tap & Barrel) getting ready to start Trivia night and Andy grabs a table and Hans and Mags form the "Ted's Boys" team. We were clearly the most "seasoned" team but as we got going, we showed a broad spectrum of knowledge and went back-and-forth for the lead against some upstart-cheating-millenials. Al and Guy finished their cigars and joined us. On the first question Al heard, he immediately and proudly blurted out the answer for us, and EVERYONE else to hear. That prompted Mags to respond with the line from Vinny Gambino after the Judge blurted an answer about how many fingers Vinny was holding up for the nearly-blind witness "Please, will the witness and ONLY the witness answer the question"! Andy proceeded to recite the entire courtroom scene from My Cousin Vinny.

After a few helpful answers from a younger Disney fan for a Disney video series of questions, Ted's Boys get into the Bonus Question round and end up as Trivia Champs! Win a $50 Gift Card for Tap & Barrel, good until next year (I'll try not to use it). We may have a new tradition for the gathering.

Winners

Wednesday - Back to the track for Mags, Al, Guy, Hans and Andy. Grab the same picnic table and Hans gets a taste of what the Saratoga Racecourse scene is about- picnics, partying, music, ladies in dresses and bonnets, and horses too. Andy joins NYRA and we feed the horses for the afternoon. Dispersal and back to reality, or something like it.

We'll do it again next year! - Mags