The first half of my road trip is complete.  It included a near-death experience, an amazing event in West Hollywood and two action packed days of horse racing at Santa Anita.

During the Las Vegas leg of the trip I became quite ill.  Fortunately, I had the presence of mind to contact my friend Dr. Simong Youmans (www.elitemedspa.net/).  She has a wellness and urgent care clinic and asked me to drive straight over.  Although I was flat on my back for several days, eventually the antibiotics kicked in.  A week or so later and I’m still not 100%, however I’m very happy to be among the living, and VERY grateful to Dr. Youmans for her help.

Once I was back on my feet, I headed to West Hollywood for a Godfather "Sit Down" at the House of Blues West Hollywood. As we say on the ranch in Oklahoma – it was a REAL barn burner!  We had 75 spectacular attendees.  There were old friends like:

Sponsor Joe Preis (GCR)
Actor and Author Michele Green
Actor and Singer Rex Smith
Actress Brittney Powell
Patricia Kara of Deal, No Deal
Kelly “The Apprentice” Perdew
Screenwriter/Producer Heather Hale
Miley Cyrus Songwriter Ken Hauptman
Angel Investor David Berkus
Entrepreneur Larry Jordan
Tim Stanley, former SVP at Harrah’s Entertainment – now an Entrepreneur
Brian Yost, President of Live Nation On-Site
Tommy Morgan, Producer
Producer and Talent Coach Sharon Nash

There were new friends like:

Actor Patrick Cassidy (a real thrill for me personally since I’m a big “Ruby & the Rockets” fan)
Lauren Shiohama from “Deal, No Deal”
Barney Cohen, Creator of Sabrina the Teenage Witch
David Fishof, Founder of Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp
Composer Robert Sarzo, and his brother Rudy Sarzo (Ozzy Osbourne, Quiet Riot)
Fred Coury, Composer and Drummer for Cinderella
Herb Dean of the UFC
Scott Strickland, CIO at Black & Decker
Costume Designer Zohra Shahalimi
Gary Kawesch, the only Eye Surgeon with and NFL Superbowl Ring
Agent Bonnie Gallanter
Brent Bushnell, Entrepreneur

Thanks to everyone that parcitipated, and to my good friend Joe Preis for sponsoring.  Next event is a "client only" event in Las Vegas for G2E November 18.  The next LA/OC event is February/March.

The final portion of my trip was devoted to Breeders Cup at Santa Anita.  This is the World Championships of Horse Racing.  As many of you know, I own several race horses with my friend Sean Gerson.  Now I love this guy, but he just about finished me off with the Breeders Cup party at LA Live and a Lakers Game.  I need to sleep for a week!  Seriously, Sean did a great job of lining everything out and getting us amazing seats for the races.  There were two highlights.  First, by the grace of God, not a single horse was hurt during the two days of racing.  Second, the undefeated mare Zenyatta beat the boys in the $5,000,000 Classic race.  She is incredible.  She is incomparable.  She is invicible.  She is Zenyatta!