This past week there wasn't much to celebrate as neighborhoods in our universe, we grew around, in Pacific Palisades, Altadena, Studio City, and Pasadena burned.
Wind and Fire scorched the earth, taking a little piece out of everyone of us that has grown up in Southern California.
Malibu beach front is gone, my dear friends, Seth and Alex are gripping with the idea that their home in Altadena may not be still standing, we have all been impacted one way or the other.
Seth via text, "... no toothbrush, no meds.... but house ????"
Its unfathomable to see the images and even more unfathomable the disgusting behavior of some bad actors across social media, and I am going to stop right there with this as I will say things that might make some weak minded, yellow belly, habitually butt sore individuals. cringe.
YOU DON'T WISH ILL ON ANYONE..... That's not what we are, who we strive to be.
I can't fathom having to stufff essentials in my truck, get the boys and their food, and escape or else be burned alive. I just can't fathom having to deal with that.
We don't want to wish any nightmare scenarios on anyone.
Our hearts go out to all our friends in harms way, Seth and Alex and many others that fear seeing their house, their hard work gone.
Santa Anita was threatened by the fires, and I have been thru a few of those, like in 2003 after the Breeders Cup I rushed to Monrovia, picked up my daughters whom were 12 and 10 at the time and went down to my condo in Huntington Beach. We were socked in with smoke for three days where it was like a dense fog or when in 2018 San Luis Rey Downs was the site of a horrible fire that left an indelible images of horses running for their life, one I can't shake out of my eyes is the horse on fire running for their life. Our friends that were affected and the heroes that pulled all the horses and people towards safety will be forever remembered.
Breaking news: As I am writing this I heard back from Seth and Alex, and they were both ecstatic that their house was OK and undamaged. Yay!
We don't live far from San Luis Rey Downs and we have totes packed ready in case of emergency. Crazy times we live in.
We offer our condolences to those who have lost loved ones or all their belongings. and we thank the Los Angeles and so many other City Fire Departments that worked so hard to save people and property, but we know we all need to move forward.
Weather has been all over the country, the ice age has hit the East Coast and middle America, rainstorms in cajun country. Racetrack cancellations have been in effect all week.
Kentucky is knee deep in ice and snow and of course we feel for all in the eye of the storm and of course their pets, we never forget our pets.
Well, aren't we due for some fun, some entertainment. It has been a tough, emotional, week.
Amy Kearns has been stuck indoors with the snow and ice storm in Lexington but she has been clutch at Gulfstream Park along with 'Laz" whom is lending a hand since he is on hiatus at Oaklawn Park this week due to cancellations:
On Wednesday
Friday
I know it means less than a hill of beans with all that has happened this week, but if it can gives us something to cheer for in the midst of tragedy reminds me of my fathers favorite opera, by Giuseppe Verdi, "I Pagliacci"
I Pagliacci (the clown), the opera, a classic tale of a court jester, his job to entertain the royalties, had to do his job of making people laugh while he was dying inside because his child was dying. My father was emotionally attached to the story.
We thank all of you whom have inquired about us, we sincerely hope we are past this episode and we return to normality, everywhere and celebrate, good times in the up and coming weeks and months.
Racingwithbruno & Staff
LAKINGS.com/FIRERELIEF for more information if you like to chip in.