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Friends and acquaintances make playing the races more fun. I used to make many trips with my dad and grandpa over the years as I cherished our going to the races. - The people were always what I liked most about working at the track. Horses are cheered and wagered on, and they give us all the excitement only the sport can bring. But the faces in the crowd stick with you. Over the years they saw me do just about every job at the track. It starts as a glance and a nod at first, but after a period of time you start talking and get to know them. For me, that's always been the best part.

Otto was a tall gent who always wore a little dude cap. You know, the kind that paperboys wore from the old days. But his was much cooler. - You'd see him walking slowly looking at his program and those nods became talks. That was what I looked forward to. There were many faces which became friends over the years and they were always welcomed.

I was on my computer looking over the races and received a message from his niece. - She had sad news and shared with me that Otto had passed away. She sent me pictures and even a short video where he played guitar and was singing. Seeing him outside of the races was a privilege. I only knew him from our talks and trading handicapping info over the years. - Good guy, with a deep voice and curious smile. He would come up and talk about how he was doing at the windows, and when I started calling races years ago he would always drop a compliment. Yeah, it's fair to say he was a friend.

Over the years, I have watched the faces come and go. Relationships built on our common interest only made it that much better. - Otto's name is added to the wonderful people I will no longer see there. - I have taken the season off to attend to some medical issues, but I fill in to call the big days and marquee events. - The last time was a few weeks ago when I called the races, and he stopped up to say hello and welcome me back with a big smile and a hearty handshake. Little did I know this would be our last race talking horses. - You will be missed and I'll miss seeing your cap walking slowly on the apron studying your program. Rest easy, my friend. If Heaven has a racetrack, I'm sure you'll be there for the first race.