On the Road Again

After today, life around Hoof Beats ramps up in high gear, with our coverage of the Adios and Hambletonian, and continues pretty much non-stop through the Little Brown Jug in September.  At 6 a.m. tomorrow, I am heading east for fun first and then work (although truth be told, the work is pretty fun). We are having a Kraft family reunion first in Maryland, then stopping in Washington DC for two days to show Danny the nation’s capitol (and ideas on the best attractions for 8-year-olds, let me know!) and visit some friends. One of my goals is to stop at Arlington national Cemetery to see our Standardbred friends who serve in the caisson and as the riderless horse for funerals. Next we head to Philadelphia to see my grandmother and pick up TJ, who is flying in from Columbus. Then we head up to the Meadowlands for stories and racing (with a side trip or two into New York City). Whew, I get tired just writing it down! But it will all be worth it.

Getting to see far-flung friends during Hambo weekend is one of the great pleasures of the trip. I look forward to seeing fellow writers from north of the border Dave Briggs and Kim Fisher from Canadian Sportsman and Trot, respectively, as well as Kathy Parker and Gordon Waterstone from Horseman & Fair World. Photographer Dave Landry is one of the nicest—and most talented people—I know, and visiting with him is always a treat. The whole Meadowlands crew--Dave Brower, Sam McKee, Ken Warkentin, Bob Hayden, Amy Silver, Alex Dadoyan—is always great to be with. The many horsemen and owners I respect and admire—some of whom I have known since childhood—will be there, and I look forward to spending time with “Crazy Good” author Charlie Leerhsen and his wife, author Sarah Saffian, as well as my great friend Dan Plesac, who will all be at the track on Hambo day.

I spoke to another friend, Greg Schuler, today over at the Horseman & Fair World. He is working hard at home while his coworkers make the eastern trek. One of his projects is helping our new partnership, Write Stuff Stable, get a our first horse. We are aiming to make a claim soon with trainer Jim Arledge Jr., and I am so excited! I will keep you posted.

BTW, have you checked out our new e-newsletters? The Hoof Beats one, “On Track,” came out today, giving a behind-the-scenes look at the August issue—and it was terrific. There was stuff in there even I didn’t know. If you want to sign up for that one, or any of our other terrific e-newsletters, just visit http://news.ustrotting.com/usta_newsletters.cfm. They are all FREE!

Don’t forget, if you are at the Hambo, stop by and say hello during the autograph session, or flag me down as I run from front to back paddock about 400 times. It will be great to take a break to talk.  

Nicole