New Yorkers just pine for Saratoga, 'The Spa', they line up outside each weekend morning to race for a picnic table. Run Johnny Run!
You know what Saratoga doesn't have? It's the 'Ghost of Jimmy Durante!"
There is something strange, on level 5 of the grandstand, who you gonna call?
I have drudged around Del Mar since, the facility was upgraded in 1992. I know every inch of that place, but on the 5th level, the Ghost of Jimmy Durante lives.
I ain't afraid of no ghost.
Late night when the lights are dim, you get in the press box elevator to go down from the 6th floor, down to the 1st, and inexplicably, it always stopped at the 5th level, and right in front of Jimmy Durante portrait, saluting the crowd.
James Francis Durante, was a comedian, actor, singer and pianist.
Durante is tipping his cap here to all the fans at the track, as he does every meet, on the 5th level, in front of all the elevator guests.
Durante and Bing Crosby were Del Mar, Bing would take tickets and greet the fans as they entered the track.
Here is Bing,on opening day, taking a ticket of smitten woman, the look is priceless, and worth a thousand words, but let's get back to the ghost
If you listen closely when the elevator doors open they have that same gravely voice of Durante. Once I thought the door hummed 'Inka Dinka Doo''
I know what you are saying, 'Hey Bruno when did you become a ghostbuster'
I would never wish to ghostbust Jimmy, he is part of the Del Mar charm.
The 4th and 5th level of the facility and in fact, all over Del Mar, are old reminders of the grandure of Del Mar. The history.
Even my buddy Andrew from Jersey is here holding a Racingwithbruno Workout report.
He is whispering about a 4 star work, which have been doing very well at Del Mar so far this season and the best is yet to come.
The racing has been good, the weather awesome, no scratched out cards, no torrentional downpours, no races being canceled. Spa has got nothing on Del Mar when it comes down to Mother Nature.
Del Mar gets the divine intervention with the weather, makes you wonder if the Spa wouldn't benefit from having a ghost or two to keep things right.
Every morning, I trek to the 4th floor and analyze works, I had forgotten about the smell of the ocean, the cool breeze, and its not 100 degrees, nor having to walk back and forth between the Oklahoma and main at Saratoga.
If you are stuck on Saratoga being the place to be during the summer, you also may have forgotten the prestige and charm of Del Mar, and Jimmy Durante is there to remind you on the 5th floor.
Pay your respect next time when in Del Mar, take the press elevator to the 5th floor and here's Jimmy!
