September - Page 2 - Men Enjoying Leisure

My Life in Horse Racing
Baseball Game
By: Bruce Edelson
On Wednesday, August 26th MEL members enjoyed
a baseball game in Woodridge. The home team, the
Windy City Thunderbolts, hosted a game with the
River City Rascals. The evening was cool, but
beautiful, perfect weather for a ball game.
It was Spring , 1967, when my Grandfather took me to
Arlington Park for the first time. Apparently, I was
hooked. I now follow the Thoroughbreds everyday and
have for the past 30+ years. I attend the races
between 50-60 times per year. Most Saturdays, on the
second floor, far East side at Arlington Park, you will
find me. I have written articles for the Old Chicago
Daily News as well as the Daily Racing Form. I was
invited to be the guest handicapper at the Arlington
Park Kentucky Derby Seminar.
Behind the plate was Steve Bartelstein (You probably
remember his presentation at our July meeting). In
spite of the loss by the home team by a score of 5 to
nothing, a good time was had by all.
The biggest day of racing every year is the World
Championships called the Breeder’s Cup. I have
attended 21 of the 31 years, including the last 11. This
is now a yearly requirement on my travel schedule. I
am affectionately known as “Know it All” by the patrons
at Arlington.
In 1996, my wife and I were involved in a partnership
and owned a race horse named Jackson Lake. Unfortunately, he didn’t run very well, but we had a great
time and really learned the ins and outs of the business.
This year has been extremely exciting as a horse
named “American Pharoah” became the first horse in
37 years to win racing’s Triple Crown for 3 year olds,
which consist of: The Kentucky Derby, The Preakness,
and The Belmont Stakes. A tremendous accomplishment.
Steve Bartelstein on the job!
If anyone has any questions about Thoroughbred
racing, please feel free to contact me. After all, I Know
it All!
Sunday July 26th at Ravinia
From the umpire’s perspective
A wonderful evening at Ravinia was organized by Marv Einhorn and his wife, Minna. It was an evening of the music
of Marvin Hamlish. The concert was followed by a very social and conversational dinner at Blackies. it was one of
the largest MEL events in recent years