Thursday Thoughts with Jason Beem Nov. 21, 2024

A good Thursday morning to you all! Just got back from opening day at Tampa Bay Downs and wanted to share some thoughts about what was one of my favorite opening days in recent memory. I always associate opening day with nerves and feeling a bit out of place. I think calling the last few weeks at Pleasanton had me kind of back in form so today felt very comfortable in general. This was my fourth opening day at Tampa Bay Downs and usually I’m calling my first races since Colonial on this day. But today was just a ton of fun and I was so glad to be a part of it. 

One of my favorite parts about working at Tampa Bay Downs is that no matter what day of the week it is, we get a good on-track crowd. The grandstand isn’t all that big compared to many of racing’s great cathedrals and I think that actually helps the atmosphere. I’m guessing about 3,000 people today, but it felt like a vibrant crowd with a good bit of noise and excitement throughout the building. Calling races to a good crowd is a thousand times more fun than calling to an empty apron. I still remember days at Portland Meadows where there would be one or even zero people out on the apron (besides the track photographer who had to be out there). One time I remember saying at the quarter pole that the favorite was backing out and I could hear a singular voice down there saying some expletives about the horse’s performance. Just a brutal way to experience the game. 

My first opening day at Tampa Bay Downs was technically the first day of that old two-day summer meet that Tampa had to run in order to have full simulcasting. About five minutes to post time the rain started falling down hard and appeared to be coming in sideways. I have to open my window at Tampa to be able to see the top of the stretch, so as they were going in the gate I was getting soaked. I was so nervous and I know lots of my friends were watching to support me. The gates opened and I called the race as best as I could see it. On the far turn it was nearly impossible to make out who was who. But I got through it. I remember going on twitter a few moments after the race and all I had was messages telling me that nobody heard the call. Turns out the TV department forgot to connect my audio to the simulcast signal. Oops! I can promise you it was a great call! 

Opening days in all games are full of optimism. One of the great things about horse racing is that every day can bring with it a huge score or memorable moment. Some sports you get off to a bad start, you’re buried in the standings, and the season becomes a drag. Racing each day, heck each race, is a new beginning. Opening day featured some logical favorites, some tough to find longshots, and some big payouts, which is what I want to see. The Late Pick 5 paid $47,000 for just $0.50. Awesome!  

We’re back at it Saturday and I’ll certainly talk more about the Tampa season here and on my podcast as the season rolls on. Hope you will join us here on TwinSpires or even in Oldsmar if you want some warm weather and good racing!