After work in the city, I arrive at the train station in time to walk home, jump in my car, drive over to Belmont and show up a few minutes before the Metropolitan Handicap, the Met Mile to most. What a great move! So it's a compelling race, with 6-year-old gelding Bribon edging Smooth Air for the win in one heckuva finish. But the best part occurs in the winner's circle. Marc Keller, a banker who lives in New York, is the winning owner and brings along some pals. One of 'em is Judy Collins. Yes, folk singer, inspired by Dylan, the blue eyes behind the classic ``Suite: Judy Blue Eyes'' by CSN, and wonderful human being. I have to say hi, meet her husband, and then she tells me that like every girl who grows up in Colorado she's been around horses all her life. And then she tells me this is the first time she's ever been to the race track. Really? Really she says. ``And it's the second time I ever bet. The other time was on War Emblem.'' She says she's here because of a day off as she prepares for the final week of a six-week run at the Cafe Carlyle in Manhattan. ``What a very nice way to spend a day out of the office,'' she says as she walks to a private room to sip champagne with Keller and the rest of his pals. A belated happy 70th birthday Judy (it was May 1, according to her bio).
Posts
Judy Collins and horse racing?? What a great juxtaposition! Maybe she will come out and see Rachel Alexandra at Belmont Park!
ReplyDeleteMaybe we can get Joni Mitchell out, as well. It is the 40th anniversay of Woodstock, after all.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was a kid, we'd drive every Friday from Westchester County to Saratoga, up 87. We drove in Thunderbirds and Cadillacs and Lincoln Continentals (I am not making this up), and our 8-track soundtrack was, more often than not, CSNY. I could sing "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes" when I was in kindergarten, and Judy's "Both Sides Now" is on my iPod. I almost fell over myself trying to talk to her on Monday.
ReplyDelete