Yuri wearing one of her fascinators

Do horses like to race? Peta says no. But when Yuri invited me to attend the 145th Belmont Stakes on June 8^th, it was less about the horses and more about the hats.

Oh! Audrey created by Yuri

Yuri made three fascinators for the event, one of which was for me, and it had a name: Oh! Audrey.

General Attendance Crowd early in the day

The Belmont Stakes is the final leg of the Triple Crown, which includes the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes. This year a different horse won each race in the Triple Crown. But it’s not just about winning. It’s also an opportunity to dress up, gamble and have a picnic.

When folding chairs were disallowed, this family brought blow-up chairs

At 10.30am, we were among the first to arrive. Long lines led out of Belmont Park LIRR station, with two security checks along the way. According to regular attendees, the rules have become stricter in recent years. Alcohol and folding chairs are no longer allowed in, although some people have found ways around these rules.

Picnicking with our permitted items, photo by Yuri

At the second checkpoint, I was asked to remove everything from my tote bag and place it in a clear plastic bag. The security guard stared at my many items and then waved me through, saying, “Have a good day.”

Horses and jockeys preparing for their raceWhen the first horses trotted out for viewing, I was happy to see how healthy they looked, their coats gleaming over their well-muscled flanks.

Yuri, Monami and I in the front row wearing Yuri's fascinators

We took a spot at the front of the racetrack. Other people set up their parties in the back near the paddock or in the terrace seating. Early on, the atmosphere was relaxed and there was plenty of space. As the hour got closer to the 6.36pm Belmont Stakes, the roar of chatter grew and people started cramming into our front row space.

Attendees at the Betting and Cashing Windows

In the spirit of the event, I decided to place a bet: $5 on the number 3 horse, Raven Rise, in the third race to win. Then I decided to bet again: on 1a, Fast Bullet, in the 7^th race. As a bonus, betting for 1a included 1, Justin Phillip.

Fast Bullet!

As the 7^th race started, Fast Bullet zoomed out in front, and kept the lead, with Justin Phillip close behind. And I didn’t see any riding crop come out; the horse was just racing.

Monami learning how to bet

I won $9 for the $5 I had bet on Fast Bullet.

“Big stakes you’ve got going there,” said the cashier.

Yuri with some dapper gents

Fashionable ladies at the event

Total betting for the Belmont Stakes, which was won by Palace Malice, reached $88,652,023, and 47,562 people attended. Some paraded in hats and braces, while others relaxed in shorts and flip-flops. There was something for everyone, and until someone proves otherwise, I will choose to believe the horses were happy too.

Participants preparing for the Workshop

Nick—a musician and first-time workshop participant—sat in the hot seat before the June 1st Vortex of Attraction Workshop started. His enthusiasm oozed off the stage of the Stamford Marriot Conference Room. He hadn’t even bothered to find a seat in the audience.

“You’re going to be in the hot seat,” a passing woman said to Nick.

“I know it,” he said. “She knows it. You know it.” And I was pretty sure he would get a chance to ask his question.

Esther came on stage to a standing ovation, and quickly started channeling Abraham, a group of spiritual beings said to express Infinite Intelligence.

“Do you know what you are wanting?” she asked.

For the first time since I can remember, I didn’t really know what I was wanting.

“Do you like the expansion of your desire?”

I couldn’t really say yes to that either, because wanting what one doesn't yet have can be frustrating.

The girl in the hot seat spoke about wonderful things happening in her life

A participant expressed yearning for a person she was not currently with. This girl said that everything else in her life was going wonderfully, except for this one point.

“What if there were a willing version of him?” asked Abraham.

“But I want him,” she said.

For the first time, I heard the words about the willing version of the one you love as a positive thing.

“I don’t feel worthy,” the girl said.

“You are beautiful, “ shouted Nick, to applause.

“Don’t waste your words,” said Abraham, to laughter.

Abraham spoke about momentum.

“You only have to give attention to something for 17 seconds for it to gain momentum,” they said. “If you continue that for 68 seconds, which is 4 times 17, there will be enough momentum that it will play out.”

“Go to bed and think about how tomorrow will be a nice day. Wake up and feel good, “they said. “ Ask what disc have I chosen? What momentum is to be gained? Pick a disc. If you drop, take a nap or do anything to get to a higher place.”

I understood that discs represent different emotional levels, with the higher ones being the happiest.

Nick getting the feel of the hot seat

After 12 hot seaters, Nick was the thirteenth and final person to be chosen.

“Do I have to focus obsessively on practicing guitar to be good at it?” he asked. “Steve Vai said he played 12 hours a day.”

“Everything you do that is fun will improve your guitar playing,” said Abraham. “What he’s saying is the momentum of my desire is so great that I spent many hours in this process. Those who have mastery have inspired action. It’s not the hours but the disc you’re standing on when you put the hours in.”

Interestingly, the feeling of standing on a higher disc stayed with me after the workshop.

As Abraham said, “I believe in being a creator of reality and not an observer. I can be thrilled with the possibility even before any doors are opened.”