This old stair case leads to the umpires place at the Saratoga Race Track. It is small and the steps show signs of age and use. i find it stunning that the access to his office is so tucked away. or maybe it is built in this way so people, disagreeing with his decisions, have a hard time getting to him. i suppose the energy and aggression level is quite high during races. walking along the balcony to the end of the little hallway and then making a left into his tiny little office - which seems to hover over the race tracks - is exciting. over 100 years of winning and losing radiate through the hallway. entire lives are built around these races here and the umpires verdict was always the last and final word before cameras and millisecond measuring devices took over. with every step up to his office time seems to be turned backwards. it's an amazing place.