If it’s September, then it must be football season in Lone Grove, Oklahoma.  And down here in Oklahoma and Texas, football is religion!  We take our football very seriously, especially at the high school and college level.  Friday September 5 was the first game of the reason for Lone Grove High as they took on Bethel at home.

Around 6:30 PM, I headed out from the ranch for an evening of football. Being an amateur, I managed to park on the "visitor" side of the field, then hiked over to the entrance gate.  The rest of my family was already there – my sister Karen, my niece Marisa and her husband Jimmy…and the kids – Fern, Emily and Jared.  Fern is actually on the Lone Grove Drill Team and was performing on the field.  Admission?  $4.  Concessions?  A dollar for a Coke and two dollars for Nachos.  For the last month I was at Del Mar where it was $5 for a Coke and $10 for a sandwich.

Karen had staked out seats on the 50 yard line.  There are only 2,000 people in Lone Grove and about half of them turn out for the football games.  Karen and Marisa are the most connected people in Lone Grove – they know everybody!  My last game was 30 years ago at Villa Park High where I was in the broadcast booth and took stats.  Incredibly, nothing has really changed in 30 years.  It’s the same excitement, cheerleaders, Drill Team, football game, concession stand and marching band.  The best $4 you will ever spend.

Lone Grove was up 12-6 at the half, apparently a much different outcome then last year’s home opener.  During the second half, LG ran away and hid for a 38-12 win.  Who cares?  Glorious weather in the 70s, an entire town in the grandstand, and the opportunity to spend a night out with friends and family.  Lone Grove is my kind of town.

Events – Wine Tasting Event at VOX with my friends and clients, followed by a Technology Mixer at the Stirling Club.  Then we are off to West Hollywood in October and contemplating an event at the Barona in November.

Horse Racing – Siegel Sez and Princess Susan M are up north, Launch the Bull runs September 21 at Golden Gate, Set Play runs September 20 in Kentucky and doubles back in the Raven Run at Keeneland, and Backbackbackgone is entered October 18 at Santa Anita.  Sean Gerson, Steve Teske and I are attending the Breeders Cup October 24/25 at Santa Anita.

Heading back to Del Mar this week to watch Our Superstar and Set Play run.  Also, blessed to have a few clients and friends on the appointment list.  From there it’s on to City Club San Francisco to host 60 executives and entrepreneurs with my good friend Dean Lane.

This past weekend I was honored to saddle Steve Gula’s "Gula’s Gold" at Del Mar.  He ran second in that race – nice!

On August 11, I hosted a thundering herd of CIOs at Del Mar for a networking mixer.  Just a chance to meet some of the best technical minds in Southern California and enjoy the cool ocean breeze.  The worst day at Del Mar is better than the best day working!  My buddies Geoff Glass (Future CEO), Ken Venner (Broadcom) and John Bollen (MGM Mirage) were in the house.  Also, Christi Haley Stover (Edge Resource Partners), Allen Fazio (Disneyland), Karen O’Dell (Station Casinos), Howard Dinet (Long-Time Friend and Artist), Tak Fujii (Olsen Company), Sharon Solomon (Jacuzzi) and Jim Haskin (Websense).  The event was sponsored by NetScout Systems and AT&T.

This coming week Gerson Racing will run three horses at Del Mar.  On Sunday August 17 "Launch the Bull" makes his second start.  On Saturday August 23 we have "Our Superstar" and "Set Play".  Both are ready to roll!

For pictures from Del Mar, check out http://www.flickr.com/photos/godfatherlv.

Greetings from Del Mar, where the turf meets the surf!  We have a number of horses running down here, including The Final Roar who won two weeks ago.  This week is quiet, however Set Play, Our Superstar and Launch the Bull are all running the week of August 18.  We’re still waiting on our filly Touch Me Babe to make her first start as well.

Saturday I was blessed to host Michael and Catherine Luce and their son Bill.  Michael is President of Walters Golf and Catherine is on the Board of Opportunity Village.  They acquired "The Godfather’s Day at the Races" on silent auction at a charity event, so we got together at Del Mar for a day of horse racing action.  We started out at Peter Miller’s barn in the morning and watched horses work out from the grandstand.  After breakfast at "Daybreak Del Mar" we tried our luck with the poinies in the afternoon.  Sean Gerson graciously took us over to the starting gate for a race, then we went to the paddock to watch how horses get saddled just prior to a race.  Great folks, and a real blessing to meet them!

Monday I’ll be hosting 40 CIOs in the Bing Crosby Celebrity Suite.  Sponsored by NetScout and AT&T, it’s an opportunity for a few of my clients to meet their peers.  As the Godfather says, "always dig the well before you need a drink."

That’s it for Del Mar.  Best wishes and God bless!

Wednesday July 16 is Opening Day at Del Mar!  Sand, sea and 70 degree temperatures make this the Godfather’s favorite race track.   Beats the heck out of 110 in Las Vegas and "hot and humid" in Oklahoma.  Remember, the worst day at Del Mar…is better than the best day working.

Gerson Racing has several two and three year old race horses on edge for Del Mar, including stakes winner Set Play and future superstars Launch The Bull and Touch Me Babe.  The Godfather has secured the sacred parking pass and plans to be "in the house" throughout July and August.  Note to self – remember to bring trainer Peter Miller some cigars!

The Godfather will host two events during the Del Mar season.  In July we’ll be be at the San Diego Yacht Club for a "Sit Down".  Guest list is executives, entrepreneurs and celebrities.  My good friend Steven Cantrell (won the America’s Cup) is hosting, and Barona Valley Ranch Resort and CareerBuilder are sponsoring.  Translation – free food and open bar!  In August we’ll have the Bing Crosby Suite for a CIO Mixer.  Forty CIOs will be on hand to meet their peers and learn way more than they ever wanted to know about horse racing.  This event is sponsored by NetScout Systems and AT&T.

See you at Del Mar!

July 4 (Independence Day ) holds special meaning for me. My Dad fought at Normandy and participated in D-Day. He was one of the paratroopers dropped on the wrong side of the lines, and had to fight his way back to "the good guys". Despite our challenges, America is still the greatest country in the world. 

And there would be no United States of America without our armed forces. My prayers are with them this holiday weekend.  If you previously served in the military – thank you for your service.  This is truly the land of the free and home of the brave.

Every horse racing enthusiast dreams of hitting that magical Pick 6.  In some cases it can pay $1,000,000 and be a life changing event.  Unfortunately, horses don’t run consistently, so picking six winners in a row is a real challenge.

So one of my best friends is Sean Gerson (www.gersonracing.com).  When we sold our software company (SRD) to IBM, I called Christian trainer Mike Mitchell and told him I wanted to buy race horses.  My only request?  No crooks!  Mike was kind enough to introduce me to Sean, and we have been best friends and horse racing partners for the last four years.  Sean is, bar none, one of the best people I ever met.  Never gets angry, always honest and ethical, and we share a passion for horses.  A few years back, Sean recruits Peter Miller to train our horses, and we are literally off to the races.  Last year we had a horse in the Breeders Cup (World Championship of Horse Racing).  This year we have a Kentucky Derby candidate.  Does not get much better than that!

Here is the one and only drawback of hanging out with Sean Gerson.  He has a tendency to give out lousy horse picks, then at the end of the day exclaim, "hey, I hit the Pick 6!"  How is that possible?  You gave me five losers buddy!  How can you possibly have the Pick 6?  Sean has more stiffs than the Cryptkeeper.  Passes out horses that break from the starting gate, run over to the turf course and stop to graze.  How many times has he told me, "Miyadi (trainer) loves this horse", then the horse finishes up the track at 2-1? 

Well, kharma has a strange way of catching up to you.  This week Sean starts the Pick 6 with a 6-1 and 15-1 winners.  That knocks most of the people out of the pool.  By the way, that 15-1 winner was a first time starter from our trainer Peter Miller that neither of the brothers shared with me.  Long story short, Sean has the first five in a row in the Pick 6.  He has Peter Miller’s horse singled in the last race.  If Peter’s horse wins, Sean’s ticket is worth $400,000.  Peter’s horse breaks beautifully and challenges for the lead.  Turning for home Peter’s horse takes a 3 length lead!  Oh my gosh, Sean is going to hit a $400,000 ticket!  In horse racing, you never ever yell out "you got it buddy" when your horse is way out in the front.  It’s considered a major jinx.  So Sean is maybe 100 yards away from $400,000, and I swear to you I did not yell out "you got it buddy."  I was in too much shock that he was about to win $400,000.  Hmmm…maybe he’ll share it with me.

With just a few jumps to the wire, and firmly in command, Sean’s horse tires and ends up out of the money. Sean ended up with the consolation (5 out of 6) of $41,000, which is still pretty darn good.  And he is still the best handcapper I ever met.  I did take the opportunity to send him an email stating, "this just in from God – that is what you get for stiffing Brother Wayman with all those losers!"  Just kidding buddy!

Greetings from Lone Grove, Oklahoma!  Just another sultry day in paradise.  Heading to Las Vegas for a week to see some folks and host a Cigar Smoker at the Stirling Club.  Here is an update on upcoming Godfather events:

·         CIO Mixer at Hollywood Park was rocking!  We had 25 CIOs.  It was so much fun that we are doing it all again at Del Mar August 11 in the Bing Crosby Celebrity Suite.  For my CIO/CTO friends and clients, email me for the official invitation.

·         “Sit Down” at House of Blues West Hollywood was a sell out. Awesome turnout of 70 executives, entrepreneurs and celebrities.  Next event is at the San Diego Yacht Club in July.  Executives, entrepreneurs and celebrities.

·         Dallas “Sit Downs” are selling out as well.  My ranch is only 90 minutes north of Dallas, which has some of the best people in the world.  We are really enjoying the Midwest culture and lifestyle.  A church on every corner!

·         Big Brown not winning the Triple Crown was a shocker.  The up side is that our two year old colt, Backbackbackgone, now has a shot at history next year in the Kentucky Derby.  Thirty two years since a horse has won the Triple Crown.  BBBG has two of the ten fastest times in the world this year.  He was a little sore after winning the Willard Proctor Stakes at Hollywood Park, so we are giving him two months off.  I think he could end up being very special.

·         We finally purchased a house in Lone Grove.  We were going to build, however there is a huge boom in Oklahoma right now, so we’ll sit it out until prices come down.  Picked up several parcels of land, including a nice piece of land with a bass lake.  Fishing every day!

·         Looking for several talented financial executives.  A CFO with extensive SEC experience at highly recognizable companies (high tech preferred – comp is $300K+), CFO at $200K for an international assignement and a VP, Investor Relations for a Las Vegas based organization.  If you know anyone that would be a strong fit, send ’em! 

That’s it from Lone Grove, Oklahoma.  If I can help in any way, please feel free to call!

Giddyup! Our colt “Whatever Whenever” runs tonight at Hollywood Park.  You just have to love a horse named Whatever Whenever.  Tomorrow we send out my wife’s namesake, “Princess Susan M”.  She was pretty fast last year, but has not run much in 2008.  We have a new rule – no naming horses after loved ones!

I will be in Las Vegas for a couple of weeks to catch up with friends and clients, host a small cigar smoker and host a Christian Businessman’s Breakfast.  And speaking of events, the Godfather "Sit Down" at the House of Blues Dallas this week drew a pretty impressive crowd of 22.  We have CEOs, venture capitalists, private equity firms and entrepreneurs.  Thank you to House of Blues for the hospitality and CareerBuilder for sponsoring.

Upcoming events:

     House of Blues Dallas (July)

     San Diego Yacht Club (July)

     Del Mar (August)

Greetings from Lone Grove, Oklahoma!  As many of you know, Susan and I are splitting our time between Las Vegas and Oklahoma.  I have family here, and we just love all the nature and wildlife.

This month we had a few interesting encounters on our property.  First, we were out at one of the ponds and a wild turkey walked by.  Friends, these are not your average turkey.  They stand about four feet high and probably weigh 50 pounds.  Typically you see 40 or 50 of them walking single file through the fields.  The next evening we encountered a skunk the size of a St. Bernard.  Last week was Susan’s week for wildlife encounters.   She met her first Water Moccasin at the pond.  They took one look at each other and headed in opposite directions.  Then there was the morning we saw a large coyote cutting across the property.  We also have bobcats, mountain lions, snakes deer, wild boar, snakes, turtles, birds…and more snakes.  Did I mention all the snakes?

In closing, I’m happy to announce that we FINALLY purchased a house here in Oklahoma.  We were going to build one, but fell off our bar stools when we were quoted $115 a square foot for a low end residence.  Huh?  We decided to look at existing houses and came up with one we really liked.  It’s on 5 acres in the middle of nowhere.  Check it out HERE.