The Equinic Diary Of Minnesota             Minnesota's 2002 Equinics Diary Day 1 The Minnesota Downs Trainers Association, numbering 34 strong and the caretakers of 166 stables, were assembled at the Mickey D's Truck Stop, just south of the Twin-Cities on Interstate 35, eagerly awaiting the arrival of our industrious Site Mgr. Supertoy7. The Govenor was on hand as well, and was asked by a local sportscaster, why Minnesota has not applied to the Olympic committee to have the summer games held here in our beautiful state. His reply was "We have applied a letter back stating: "The summer games usually take up the better part of 2 months and since the summer in your fine state lasts only 2 1/2 weeks, we are certain your name will be at the bottom of the list." Oh well, we got the Equinics to look forward to and we are proud to be selected to carry the torch. Finally, we as a group overwhelmingly voted to have Supertoy7 represent us and receive the torch from our Simulated Sports friends of the NORTHWEST RACING CIRCUIT. So off he went and the crew began to party. Day 2 The beginning of the second day started rather badly. At 1:30 AM the truck stop security force, headed up by Barney Onebullet, approached our rowdy crowd and stated they felt it would be in the best of interest to all involved that we move our party to another location. It seems a group of truck drivers had complained to the management. They feared tourists,dropping by for a bag of burgers, might mistake our group as being truck drivers and this misconception would be damaging to their reputation. Imagine that!! I felt like tearing up my Teamsters union card, until I remembered I receive a nice pension check from the brotherhood, so I quickly dispatched the thought from my mind. So, grudgingly, we moved to the next exit,where we found a stand of tall pines, and we settled in to make camp. Docpaul, being thoughtful, left a trail of empty Bud cans so Supertoy7 could find us at our new location. After making camp we surrounded the huge bon-fire and set about discussing the mode of transportation we should choose for this long journey. After looking around and noticing an abundance of protruding midsections, as well as a few bald heads, I realized jogging was out of the question. It was at that point a very generous offer was made by Queenab, Seroli, Littlesist and Seapigeon, co-owners of the Maplefarms Sports Supply store in nearby Apple Valley, offering to provide two-man snowmobiles for the group. That offer made Silvrchrm, in partnership with Limeteen, Darnath, Themainman, Sendem and Emax, who own the Apple Valley Motor Home Sales, agree to provide two fully equipped models to carry supplies. Of course all gave a standing ovation to Bigrick, Buxpasser and Highclaim, co-managers of the Twin-Cities Brewery Dist. Co. for bringing the beverage refreshments. Also on hand was Mortician. While we all agreed her chosen field would always be in demand, we were hoping her professional services would not be needed on this trip. Her brother, Grimreaper, also decided to make the trip. He is well known locally, being a stand-up comic at the Fairmontst Comedy Club, owned by Joann and Pokerchip. He did a twenty minute routine, along with standing up in his coffin shaped snowmobile, which drew a few chuckles. After that bit was done a vote was taken and Rcdlogan, Wolfnjim and Paradiso were selected to continue on to Albert Lea, Mn. and prepare a camp for our next stop. Suddenly a wave of applause increased to a huge roar with the sight of Supertoy7, jogging into camp, cape blowing in the wind and the Equinics Torch held high!!!! Geez, Supertoy7 seemed to have shrunk to Supertoy inch and a half! I warned him about wearing that spandex Superman costume in this fridgid weather! Just before bedding down for the night, Affirmed asked for a moment of silence for his namesake,who has recently passed away. Day 3 The journey southward was uneventful as the Minnesota State Police decided we should have an escort. You might say we then felt the need to be on our best behavior. When we arrived at Albert Lea, we were surprised to find Senator Lebori, who is a resident of Minnesota Downs but was unable to attend the opening day highjinks because of campaign committments. In true political style he mingled with the crowd trying to find a baby to kiss, and then proclaimed he was making the facilities at his palacial estate available to us for our overnight stay. He then led us to a huge, heated inside riding arena, completely outfitted with cots and hot showers for all. After cleaning up, we were treated to a buffet of prime rib and lobster. All this luxury caused me to inquire of the Senator... "How can one acquire an estate, such as this Bandnfarm Palace, in the best land in the world, on a Senator's paltry $32,000 salary??" To which he replied "It's one of the perks of being in politics. While most of those who were associated with ENRON got "laid" [a simulated pun regarding their past president], I recieved a call 2 weeks before they went belly up and was told to sell like hell!!" The third day came to a close with local radio personality Pmill3 introducing the rock group "Lovetoplay" with lead singer, Zalduendo doing the vocals and a good time was had by all. Day 4 The end of the forth day of travel found us in Beaver Creek, Mn. at the border of South Dakota (just east of Sioux Falls). It was a brutally cold trip across Interstate 90 and we decided to abandon the idea of riding the snowmobiles any further. So picture this...two motor homes towing a train of 17 snowmobiles each, snaking along at a speedy 20 m.p.h. As we arrived at Beaver Creek we were greeted by one of our more famous trainers, Graywolf. As I had never met Graywolf in person, I guessed the gender to be male, and I was right. After all, what shewolf would let her hair remain gray?? The Equinics torch was handed to Graywolf, who wanted the privledge of carrying it through the portal of his throughbred training center. Standing on one side of the gate was a large statue of a Plains Indian, while on the other side, a statue of a man in Olympic robes. We then came upon a pile of blazing logs, surrounded by Teepees. Lady employees of the ranch were quickly putting the finishing touches on our homes for the night. For those unaware of Native American culture, it was the women of the tribe who, with rawhide, lashed together the 17 poles and covered them with brightly painted animal skins. As a matter of fact, the Plains Indians were the only Native American tribe who made their home in teepees. After finishing our meal, we were sitting around the campfire, watching the sparks dance upward into the star filled sky, and I asked of Graywolf the story of the statues. He began by saying "The statue of the Plains Indian was my great-great grand father, Chief Canudigit, leader of the Nachomama tribe, who were driven from their land in southern New Mexico and lived out their lives on the land that borders this ranch." He went on to say "The robed statue was also a Native American, the great Jim Thorpe, who most would agree was one, if not, the best all around athlete to grace this planet. He excelled in every sport and did so in the manner of a champion. Some may recall he was born just outside of Harrisburg,Pa, but in his later years his time was spent in the west. He went on to become the most acclaimed horse trainer in the country and some feel he was the original "Horse Whisperer." Graywolf recounted stories handed down to him by his father as we were dozing off and a good night's sleep was had by all. Day 5 WOW !!! What a ride. Our procession inched its way past the crowds of SIMULATED SPORTS fans who were lining the streets. We made it to what locals call "Three Corners." On the north bound lanes, a green sign saying "WELCOME TO SOUTH DAKOTA", while on the south bound side it reads "WELCOME TO NEBRASKA", which was our destination. And if you have a good arm, you can throw a rock across the river and it will land in IOWA. The Minnesota Downs crew wish to thank the EQUINICS commitee for granting us the privledge of carrying the torch to our friends in Nebraska. But before our manager, Supertoy7, turns over the torch, let's keep in mind the spirit which LDYSSECRET so aptly stated at the "LIGHTING OF THE TORCH" ceremony. That we never forget the attacks that were made by the terrorists and that justice be brought to them. Hopefully peace will again be in our lives. With that thought in mind, I would like to reprint a poem I had published on the front page of the SIMULATED RACING FORM, just after the atttacks. SEPTEMBER 11th ----------------------- We have all, perhaps, sat motionless, Staring and feeling the heights of evil horror, While the sights we see on TV drive us to the depths of agonizing grief, As the mostly peaceful planeth had happiness stolen by a brutal thief. As I watched the dark cloud of smoke spiral upward into the Azure sky, A small amount of relief came over me, I know not why..... For the cloud began to change color; First Yellow, then White. As it left my sight, a thought entered my mind...[hopefully not offending] I mean this to be kind, and I hope I'm not alone, I feel the cloud became dust of innocent angels...going home. This worded picture was painted by : thepoet [aka Ron Dawson]