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.

What an awesome trip to Hollywood!  First we had a Godfather "Sit Down" at the House of Blues West Hollywood.  These are events for my friends and clients with the sole purpose of getting 50 great people introduced to each other.  New guests included: 

• Michael Berk – Creator of Baywatch
• Barney Sene – CTO, Ingram Micro
• Norma Castillo – In Management
• B. Taylor – Rap Artist
• Monique Dumais-Chrisope – SVP, Balboa Insurance Group
• Christi Haley Stover – Co-Founder, Edge Resource Partners
• George Moringer and Steve Barr – Smash Films
• Mark Heyman – Entrepreneur
• Chris Quinn – Director of Marketing, Santa Anita
• Barry Rosenbaum – CEO, Blue Note Capital
• Richard Jensrud – Advisor, Antioco Private Equity Partners
• Scott Saunders and David Wood – Spyglass Ventures
• John Over – Overland Creations
• Eric Shevin – Attorney

The next day I hosted a CIO Mixer at Hollywood Park.  The worst day at Hollywood is better than the best day working!  Check out the photo gallery for pictures, however there were CIO rock stars like Ken Venner (Broadcom), Geoffrey Glass (Valeant Pharmaceutical), Mike Brown (International Rectifier), Robert Kellee (Standard Pacific Homes), Sharon Solomon (Jacuzzi), Randy Farner and Rick Simmons. I can’t list them all, but you get the idea.  Sean Gerson’s horse "Run Forrest Run" ran second, beaten a nose on the wire, and we had a great lunch and open bar.  Most importantly, a chance for 25 CIOs to meet their peers.

The Godfather is on his way to Las Vegas to host Movie Night at Brendan Theaters for 300 of his closes friends.  We will be watching Chronicles of Narnia 2.  Also on the agenda – a dozen appointments with my wonderful clients!  God bless each and every one of you.  I truly appreciate your support.

On the horse racing scene, Princess Susan M runs Thursday at Bay Meadows, Launch A Bull runs Thursday at Hollywood Park, and Our Superstar runs Friday at Bay Meadows.  Our two year colt, BackBackBackGone, that won by the length of the stretch last week at Bay Meadows, will be running May 25 in the Willard Proctor Stakes at Hollywood Park.

Yes, it is the middle of tornado alley!  Let’s just get that out of the way – the weather is not much fun at times.  Thunderstorms, rain and hail.  Hot and humid in the summertime.  San Franicsco is foggy and cold, Las Vegas is blazing during the summer and LA has earthquakes.  Every location has its advantages and disadvantages.

Once you get past the weather though, Oklahoma and Texas become excellent places to live and raise a family.  First and foremost, the people are humble, genuine salt of the Earth types.  Friends and family come first, not the next deadline, quota or project. Life is slower.  Life is more simple.  Please step off the treadmill to the right.

I’m hosting Godfather "Sit Downs" in Dallas every six weeks, and they have taken off like one of my race horses.  Texans have totally embraced the model of "serving others" and "pay it forward."  The first two events drew 15 movers and shakers.  For the next event we had to take over the dining room at the House of Blues Foundation Room so we could get all 30 guests in.  Executive, entrepreneurs, celebrities.  All good people with good hearts, and to be honest, mostly Christian brothers and sisters.  Brothers and sisters have to take care of each other.

On my way to Hollywood for a few days to host a "Sit Down" and a CIO Mixer (Hollywood Park).  Then a week in Las Vegas to catch up with clients and friends.  Until we meet again, may the Lord bless you richly!

The Godfather’s Executive Brief (April 2008 Edition) went out.  It’s also availabe on the web site.  The week of April 14 I will be in Las Vegas to host a Cigar Smoker one night and attend Jersey Boys at the Palazzo the next night.  We’ll also check in with Pastor Jud from Central Christian, tour a non-profit, and visit with a few clients and friends.

On the Dallas front, Jason Loveless and I are hosting networking lunches twice during April.  Additionally, I’ll host a "Godfather Sit Down" at House of Blues Dallas.  An excellent opportunity to meet a few movers and shakers.  Upcoming in May will be a "Godfather Day at the Races" (Hollywood Park), a "Godfather Sit Down" (House of Blues West Hollywood), and "Godfather Night at the Movies" (Brendan Theaters).  Nothing like taking in a movie wit 300 of your closest friends.

Gerson Racing acquired four horses last month.  One is headed to the farm for a sandwich, and the other three are training forward for Hollywood Park.  In July, we’ll head over to my favorite race place – Del Mar.

In other news, Susan Wayman is continuing her construction project.  We are building a house in Oklahoma, and it is a whole lot harder than it looks.  The weather is rough, but the people and the lifestyle make it worth it.  Oklahoma and Texas are brimming with people of faith.  It feels great to be off the treadmill.

May the Lord bless you richly!