The Belmont Stakes 2014

Last Saturday my friend Noah Amos and I decided to attend The Belmont Stakes. It was quite an adventure.

Noah and I wait for the train.

Here it comes.

This guy was fun to talk to while we waited.

Getting on the train wasn’t as fun.

Some ran from door to door looking for an in.

After a brief Japanese transit experience we arrived.

The security line at the west gate.

Once inside, the fashions got pretty good.

This guy’s tie & kerchief match was on point.

This gent’s green Heineken tall boy worked well with his red tie and grey blazer.

This fellow is clearly brave in his life choices. Hats off sir.

The binoculars are always a nice touch. Impressive how he doesn’t let them get in the way of that tie for my picture.

Let’s not forget the ladies. The hat scene was in full effect.

Everyone seemed to be complaining about bad phone service. It didn’t stop them from trying though.

These ladies sport an enhanced throwback to the Burger King crowns of youth.

Big & floppy ruled the day.

Crockett & Tubbs might have chatted up this lass down at Gulfstream Park back in the 80’s

Huge points for the wearing a horse on your hat.

Came across this excellent plaque by the clubhouse.

Thought this one pretty interesting as well.

Found the vendors re-up area.

I’ve seen this technique before.

This guy’s head wear is right for the occasion every day.

I heard it was over 100.000 in attendance that day.

We decided to choose our window and got in line to place our bets.

For some reason people were all stressed out that the ATMs kept running out of money.

This guy was not stressed out.

Finally a straw hat. The only person all day that complimented me on the hat I was wearing. Thank you sir.

A dark horse?

The carnation is a nice touch here.

Forget the thin hipster mustache, this guy’s schooling everybody by re-establishing that Papa Gino’s look.

Security was very present.

Here a race fan gets out of the cardboard box he mistook for a chair.

For some, all the racing excitement was just too much to handle.

Better get up soon if you want to place that winning bet sir.

A surprising number of Nantucket reds on the lawn this year.

Noah took my picture with this interesting panaorama photo app. on his high-tech smarty pants phone. Cool distortion slices.

We actually decided to flee just before that 11th race since it was obviously going to double as a cataclysmic event training exercise.

This race fan held our attention more for his daring style of two wrist watches and two pairs of sunglasses, rather than the high chance that his bed spins were about to reach the next level.

Neither of us bet on California Chrome to win but neither of our bets panned out either. Another full bodied lesson in why gambling isn’t really for me but social documentation is right up my alley.

Congratulations to all those with the foresight/luck to have won that day.

Others seemed not to take it so well. Better luck next year.

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/california-chrome-owner-part-class–part-ass-in-defeat-010645280.html