First of all, congratulations to all Louisiana fans as you now have a Super Bowl champion – Saints — well done. You should also congratulate yourself on a big night of racing at the little track, known as Delta Downs.

I had never been there before, and quite frankly, I didn’t know what to expect. For starters, it’s a nice little 120-plus mile drive from Houston to Vinton, which in the night for the most part is done in darkness — very little light off the freeway. I actually found it quite relaxing: plenty of time to reflect on what would be ahead of me on the following night.

The track/casino is not hard to find, as it appeared in the distance as a glowing light, beckoning one to come closer, and on arrival, it was obviously the hot spot in the area.

Southern hospitality is the buzzword at Delta. I couldn’t find anyone, customer or employee, who wasn’t in a good mood and inviting.

The track itself is a horseplayer’s dream connected directly to the hotel, with a simple walk across the casino to the doors (which, by the way, is FREE), and you had your choice of the grandstand or racing book – I prefer the live stuff, but to each his own.

As I got to the announcer’s booth to meet the resident celebrity, Don Stevens, who by the way is a “class act,” I noticed the track looked very sloppy. They had gotten slammed with a lot of rain, (seems to be the theme no matter where you go this winter) and I wondered if this was going to put a damper on the following night’s festivities. Quite the contrary, the races that evening where “safe” and more importantly “fair,” as horses had won from all styles through out the card (by the way, thanks Colby Hernandez Jr. for that 7-1 shot in the last).

If you like to play Charles Town or Fairplex you will love Delta. Six-furlong oval with a very short stretch — the same rules to handicapping apply. You usually don’t want to be too far back late, and if you are going to move, it should be as you are coming off the backstretch. After swapping pleasantries with Chris Warren and his staff (and yes, another good egg) I decided to retire and hope for a fast track in the morning.

As I woke up, I knew the racing gods would not disappoint. It was blue skies and 63 degrees, and the track crew was already working on making that track perfect. Kudos to the track super and his crew as I’m sure they have to deal with this all the time, but with a little help from the weather, the track was fast and fair by race time. The state-bred program is a “big deal” in these parts, and the night card drew the top riders, trainers, and owners to celebrate, and hopefully take home a winner’s vase from one of the stakes.

Now, let me tell you, even for Vinton– IT WAS COLD. Somewhere in the high 30s with the wind chill, but it didn’t keep the people away. They had a great time, and got a taste of everything: Big prices, driving finishes, and their own superstar in the form of a horse named “Star Guitar.”

He is a big good-looking son of Quiet American, who looked every bit the winner before he even got his tack on. It was amazing how practically every owner, trainer and jockey interviewed paid him his due, and basically said they were “probably racing for second.” He did not disappoint: making a move around the final turn, Star was pointed out by Curt Bourque to the 5 path, and that was all he needed. The winner’s circle was family and friends headed up by Brittlyn Farms’ owner Evelyn Benoit, who decreed she would be heading to the Super Bowl with family and a picture of Star to join her husband Maurice on the Saints side of the field.

The night was capped off with meeting Jim Hudson, a trainer at Delta who was a member of the New York Jets Super Bowl winning team. He came clean: “The interception was because I was out of position – I got lucky.” I also met with Bill and Corinne Heiligbrodt, two of the most gracious fun-loving people in racing.

To quote from the movie “Field of Dreams”: “If you build it… they will come.” Well, as far as I am concerned they did come for Premier night, and they were not disappointed

While the rest of the country deals with cold, wet, even sub-freezing temperatures, I realize I shouldn’t be complaining, but I truly miss the “off track.” Yes, I am well aware that according to the Farmer’s Almanac we will be part of the “El Nino” weather pattern at some point. But alas, we will not have the “sloppy track.”

A couple of years ago, I spent the first week in December in New York, and let me tell you – IT WAS COLD. Like most of my kind, I decided to play Aqueduct, and I actually went to the track. First let me say, living in a city with subway transportation to every major sporting event is definitely a plus.

As I arrived, it started to snow. Most of the people that came off the train immediately ran for the warm enclosure of the clubhouse. I, on the other hand, took my time. Although I am a West Coaster by birth, there is something to be said for bundling up with a warm beverage, Daily Racing Form in hand (or Brisnet, if you prefer) and enjoying our sport in the great outdoors. I sat outside the majority of the time in the box area (amazing what that CA owners’ license will get you), although I was one of four people who braved the conditions.

Even during the card, there was a “quiet crispness” in the air. It became soothing to just sit back, admire the track and its history, contemplating what I was doing with my life (I know, “Hey man, that’s deep”). Just being there, gave me a feeling of contentment. Now I realize, I might change my mind if I was there the entire winter, but this is something I have always enjoyed my entire life.

As the day progressed, the track got sloppier, which I truly enjoyed. You see, we of the West Coast don’t have this anymore. Synthetic tracks have changed how our players approach a “wet card.” It is supposed to be a non-factor which, for me, kind of takes the fun out of it. This might sound odd, but I would look forward to an off track.

Handicappers beware — different rules apply, and as long as it is a safe track, it can be a lot of fun to uncover a secret “mudder” along with the view of the San Gabriel mountains with a bit of snow on top and cold clean fresh air with a seat under the grandstand — if you haven’t experienced it, you are definitely missing out.

Now I’m sure there are plenty of you thinking: “Son, you don’t know how lucky you are.” And believe me, I realize this. It, however, doesn’t hurt to dream . . .

Oh, p.s.: Good Luck Zenyatta, Steve Asmussen, and Julien Leparoux, and all the other Eclipse Award nominees.