Monday, December 07, 2009

Off Track Sammy


If you happen to be flying in or out of Albany International Airport (Albany, NY) this Tuesday around 11 am you might want to stop by the new "Silks Saratoga Bistro" which is having it's grand opening at the Airport, replacing the Saranac Brew House in the Food Court. Sam Grossman,aka Sammy the Bugler, NYRA's official Bugler will be playing "Call to the Post" at 11 am. If you are around stop by and say Hello to him.

Sam is one of the nicest guys you will ever meet. I have had the opportunity to speak with him several times. Most people at the track are friendly, but lets face it,some are complete jerks and quite unapproachable. Sam is always approachable, always nice and also quite knowledgeable about the sport. He is someone you can count on, someone familiar, someone always there. When I am at a NYRA track, I know that 10 minutes before every race I can count on hearing Sammy playing "Call to the Post" better than anyone else can.

4 comments:

G. C. said...

He really is the best bugler. Somehow no other bugler can match his rendition of "the call to the post". You are also right about him being a nice guy, he is more approachable that the guy in the mouse suit at Disney.

Rich Kenney said...

I'd say that a lot of buglers learned from the great Joe Kelly, the Arlington park bugler for years, and a professional jazz musician. I had the pleasure of befriending him at many a Preakness. He put a real twist on the traditonal call to post, and has been copied by many.

SaratogaSpa said...

Rich-Never heard Joe play live but he was great. Sammy actually went to the Julliard School of Music

thanks all for reading

The_Knight_Sky said...

Yes he is a nice guy.

And nice guys always like posing for Knight Sky

Blustery Champagne Day 2009
http://www.flickr.com/photos/the_knight_sky/3999605013/