The third Del Mar Reunion Junket launched on Thursday November 17, 2016
when Billy, Roger and Mason checked into their $80/night room at the Days Inn up in Encinitas
for a three night stay. Then on Friday, Joey, Neil, Boomer, Commish, Bruce, Waz, Milt and
Greg M rolled into the ol’ Del Mar motel but for two nights only. Then, add two
cameo appearances by Jimmy Bond and you have the even dozen junketeers who showed up for 2016.
Missing were mainstays Chuck (eye problems), Dave (work problems) and Tim A (parental problems)
otherwise we would have broken the DM Reunion record of 13 set a couple of years back.
We’d be lying if we tried to pass off the no-shows as inconsequential as all three of these
regulars were sorely missed. The poker game, for one example, fizzled on Friday night when
only 4 players (Billy, Neil, Bruce and Joey) could be found wanting to play. Needless
to say, they didn’t even try for one on Saturday, instead the gang settled for the SC-UCLA
game on the motel’s new flat screened TVs.
We could only corral 7 of the 12 junketeers in the DMM patio group shot.
Only Neil reserved a room early this time as most thought “No way would they
sell that place out on the weekend before Thanksgiving”. And the majority was right as many
rooms looked empty and the parking lot sparse. However, those who sat chilly waiting for an
expected price reduction had their hopes dashed when management kept the double rooms at a
rock solid $209 during the entire four months leading up.
THE GAMBLERS
But things picked up nicely at the race track. We had an astounding six punters (Waz, Joey,
Commish, Neil, Roger and Billy D) return home in the black. Only Boomer and Mason slipped
under the waves. One junketeer or another seemed to pick off just about every
winner that rolled in over the three days. It was unusual to say the least and a whole
bunch of fun. The weatherman co-operated too with four perfect fall days, with highs
in the 60s under mostly clear skies. Most of us drove home in the rain, however, from a
storm that thankfully held off til the party had ended.
The group shot from the Days Inn contingent.
THE BBQs
The two BBQs hosted by the Commish (he puts them together) and Bruce (he pulls them off)
turned out pretty decent as Bruce once again served up burgers, dogs, chip and dip, potato
salad, macaroni salad, buffalo wings and baked potatos to the hungry throng on both nights.
In addition, Milt and Greg added a jug of rum and some chocolate cookies while Junior
cracked a bottle of Jack for the cocktail hour.
Milt was chaparoned down by his buddy Greg M who proved to be a great addition.
HERO OF THE WEEKEND
This award goes hands down to Jimmy Bond who showed up early Friday and Saturday mornings
on the DMM patio for some jib and to supply PPs to all the grateful punters. For some reason, the track
could not get the cards published til later than usual so the PPs, which normally are printed
off at home on Thursday, were not available til Friday. Jimmy knocked out at least 10
sets of Brisnets for Saturday and Sunday on his own printer, drove them up to Del Mar,
and did not charge anyone a dime for the substantial amount of ink and paper he used up.
That’s $75 worth of Racing Forms at the track.
Right column please ---->
Jimmy got knocked out of a full-time junket by health problems besetting himself and spouse Barbara.
SUFFERIN BASTARD OF THE WEEKEND
This trophy was also an easy pick when Bruce did a post-BBQ solo run up to one of the
local pubs on the main drag on Friday then came home so shitfaced that he did not recognize
Waz asleep in his room. “Who the f*** are you, and what are you doing in my room?”
This sort of extreme condition always leads to a very painful morning-after and this
time was no exception. Go listen to Hank Jr’s “Hangovers Hurt More Than They Used To”
and you’ll get the picture.
Bruce cranked out another pair of fab BBQs with his awesome collection of tables, chairs, utensil, bowls,
silverware, lanterns, condiments and all the rest of it.
THE TRACK
Oh how we love to critique this place. They snivel and moan when attendance is down but they keep
the parking at $10; they close off the top 2 floors of the grandstand so everyone is crammed
in together; they don’t hire enough mutual clerks; they cut the self-serve machines way back
because their main clientele are racetrack know-nothings and can’t figure out how to use them; they have
a grandstand with view-blocking pillars larger than those on the Golden Gate bridge; they
charge so much for beers that even Junior won’t buy one; you can’t get final scratches and
changes til Trevor reads them 15 to first post; and they play loud rock music between races
to keep the non-handicapping Millennials from being bored out of their minds. One big thumbs up,
Saturday's free admission to college co-eds coupled with a concert produced the largest smorgasboard
of eye candy EVER seen at a racetrack. Lord have mercy. On-track attendance for the 3 days was: 2547, 16542 and 4378, less than 100
bodies fewer than last year.
Oh yeah, did I mention the worst tote board in California? In full fields it becomes almost unreadable.
NEXT YEAR AND BEYOND
The DM junket is still popular after 38 years but the excessive rent at the DMM is a
problem because it causes several junketeers to bunk elsewhere when we’d like to get
everybody in the same place. And, a lot of guys would prefer 3 nights to 2 but
the cost becomes ridiculous. Then factor in that we’re paying a huge premium for a
beach we no longer use. However, a suitable substitute may not exist. All of them
lack the trackside location, nearby bars, sand and surf, a suitable
BBQ area 20 feet from the rooms or a Fire Dept. resuscitation unit right next door.
So I guess we’ll have to ride it in at the Seaside Flophouse as long as we can run our
ancient asses down there.
If we're stuck at the DMM, one way to save money is grab a third roommate. A well set
up cot can be as comfortable as the beds.
We could only corral 7 of the 12 junketeers in the DMM patio group shot.
The group shot from the Days Inn contingent.
Milt was chaparoned down by his buddy Greg M who proved to be a great addition.
Jimmy got knocked out of a full-time junket by health problems besetting himself and spouse Barbara.
Bruce cranked out another pair of fab BBQs with his awesome collection of tables, chairs, utensil, bowls,
silverware, lanterns, condiments and all the rest of it.
Oh yeah, did I mention the worst tote board in California? In full fields it becomes almost unreadable.
If we're stuck at the DMM, one way to save money is grab a third roommate. A well set
up cot can be as comfortable as the beds.