90 Days: Saturday, October 19 (Day No. 14)

 

(This is the time of year when the horse racing season for the Ivory Pine Syndicate is winding down, but the soccer season for the Rosevelt Soccer Club is gearing up. Here's a 90-day glimpse of the day in the life of a horse racing managing partner and soccer club administrator.)

Awoke, 4:55a

Coached younger daughter's soccer game, 8a-10:15a

Our U14 Girls team played its final Fall Classic game together this morning, after we lost in the first round of the league playoffs.

My favorite part of coaching a town-based club team is working with many of the same players on a year-to-year basis from August to October, and seeing their steady progress from U9 to U14 players. Most of the players will continue to represent their community when they play for their high school program next fall, but some players will find another sport or activity to focus on. 

I'll enjoy continuing to watch returning players play high school soccer, and I hope the girls who choose to focus on another sport or activity enjoyed their experience playing soccer over the last six seasons.

Attended Sixby Hanover's race, 10:30a-2:30p

I hopped in the car right after our game to make the 2-hour drive to Bangor to catch Sixby Hanover's race.

My usual pre-race routine on race day is to arrive at the track at least an hour before post time for our race, visit our trainer Mike Graffam and our horse in the paddock, watch our horse complete his customary pre-race jog around the track a few times, and return to the grandstand with about 45 minutes to post to hang out with partners and track regulars before enjoying the race. 

The time of Sixby's race aligned well enough for me to experience my usual routine, and Sixby raced well to finish a strong second. 

Ate lunch/dinner at Timber, 2:30p-4:30p

Timber is my favorite restaurant in Bangor, and its location right down the hill from the track makes it a must-stop whenever I go to Bangor to watch a race. The restaurant's staff, decor, menu, bar--everything about the place--is great.

I also ended up sitting next to a guy from South Carolina who works with the University of Maine's athletic department, and we had a great conversation about sports and parenthood (he has a son the same age as our older daughter). 

Asleep, 11:35p