![]() ![]() We had pencils and paper and transistor radios so I could listen to the “Horse and Jockey” broadcast. We didn’t have cell phones, Instagram, or League of Legends. ![]() That’s what I did during my free time when I was 8 and I wasn’t reading the Form. I used to sit and draw photos of the Slew and the silks for hours upon hours. I remember their super cool black and gold silks, which only added to the allure of the Slew. The Slew was owned by Karen and Mickey Taylor. Seattle Slew was, quite simply, the best racehorse on the planet. He was American Pharoah before American Pharoah. He destroyed his competition in the Kentucky Derby. Seattle Slew captured horse racing’s Triple Crown in 1977 while undefeated and virtually untested. He was also tough and gritty and always ready for a good battle. The Slew was jet black, sleek, like a Ferrari. Seattle Slew wasn’t just my favorite horse, he was everyone’s favorite horse. For today, I was going to see my absolutely favorite horse run in person for the first time. On this specific day in early July, I remember being more excited than any other day. The crowds were huge and the races were fantastic. On this day though… there was only an “un” willing suspension of disbelief.īack in 1977, Hollywood Park was the place to be on a Sunday afternoon. I would learn that term later from one of the many classes I took from Professor Irv Rein at Northwestern (Go Cats!). He was a movie producer and, well, that was his job… telling stories. Everything was made little more special than perhaps it really was in reality. I just think he took them to make the ride special. ![]() Eight years later, once I started driving myself to the track, I realized these side streets didn’t really save any time at all. Gramps had a “secret” way to get to Hollywood Park, always taking the side streets and avoiding the crowded (yes, even back then they were crowded in 1977) freeways. I usually went back for $10 more after I had lost the first race. She even offered to pay Gramps back the original $10 bucks if she still had it at the end of the day. My $10 was generally spent on the daily double while Em’s lasted all day. I was most looking forward to the delicious roast beef (of which I often had seconds and thirds from the buffet) and I had spent most of the night before going over the Racing Form to get my picks ready. Plus, we had to look good for self proclaimed style-master, Grandma Rudee. We were in our Sunday best. All dressed up because we were fortunate enough to sit up in the Director’s Room with all the Hollywood big wigs. On Sunday, Jmy grandfather picked us up from my mom’s house and we started our regular drive to Hollywood Park. ![]()
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