24 April 2009

Mystery date

For months now, while other gals have been making eyes at Derby dates, or flirting with out-of-town tracks, here at the relocated Castle, I've been waiting ever so patiently for the opening of Prairie Meadows. None of that lukewarm Derby fever here -- I'm not looking for a one-night stand in May. Nope, I'm hoping for something more long-term than that.

It's true that I've been missing my old beau, Mountaineer, something awful. And I was absolutely thrilled when HANA chose Mountaineer for its "buycott" race of the week, as it gave me a legitimate reason to take a peek at the ex. I must admit my heart went pitter-pat as I listened to announcer Peter Berry mentioning HANA's designated race. Simulcast hosts Mark and Nancy looked like they were having fun, too. If I hadn't known better, I would have thought there was a stakes race on the card.

So, I guess I've have been a bit nostalgic for the former home track. Yes, I understand the arguments against year-long racing, but there was something comforting in the knowledge that Mountie was always there, maybe not the most attentive boyfriend, but except for 2 weeks in January, a reliable alternative for a Saturday night.

But now Mountie's 800 miles away now, and I've always been a "love the one you're with" kind of gal. So I'm definitely in the mood to give this new Perry Meadows guy a chance. So far, he's looking pretty good, with advertisements about racing on tv, radio, and even the lampposts downtown. And there are even racing picks for Friday's races on the Des Moines Register's site!

Of course I've been asking around about Perry, snooping through tons of articles at the Des Moines Register. I already know that there'll be no turf racing, ever. since there's no grass track. Sure, that's a big minus, but then again, maybe I'll like the quarter horses when they arrive in July. On the plus side, there'll be a Haskell-winning rider in the gate tonight: Tim Doocy, an Iowa native whose 5000 wins rank him ahead of Gary Stevens and Eddie Arcaro.

I'm trying not to expect too much, but really, doesn't it sound good: Spring in Iowa! Live races! Thundering hoofbeats! Ten-cent superfectas! Be still, my heart.

Thoroughbred racing returns to Iowa tonight. And me, I've got a mystery date. Fingers crossed that he's a dream, not a dud!

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Maybe you will even get laid tonight too!

Patrick J Patten said...

depends on how much you love the one you're w/

Teresa said...

Oh, the tantalizing expectation of a first date...may you not be disappointed...

Neal Watzman said...

Queen, I hope your blind date with Prairie Meadows doesn't fail you. Unless of course, you compare it to your days and evenings at Mountaineer.

I've tried to maintain my Long Distance Relationship with my lifelong love and have been known to sneak away from family and visit her when I get back to The Valley.

Having a son in The Burgh and my Mom in my hometown near there, has enabled me to sneak in a couple visits over the past months. And with the warm weather coming, I'm looking forward to more visits to The Deck at The Mountain.

Keith - Triple Dead Heat said...

Do you want me to call you 15 minutes into the date and give you a way out? ;>)

Have fun!

Teresa said...

So???? How was it???? Did he kiss you? Are you going to see him again?

suebroux said...

Look forward to sweet corn on a future date!

Theodore L. Grevelis said...

I hope it went great! Nice facility, but I've only been there to sell them slot machines, not for live racing. I'd feel like I'd be cheating on Canterbury with her neighbor...