Phyllis Rogers, librarian, Keeneland Library, Lexington: It's a signal to everybody that the horses are going onto the track. Why not just say, "Hey, everybody, the horses are going onto the track"? It probably predates the PA system. Yes, I see. They play "First Call" at most tracks, but at Keeneland the bugler prefers "Boots and Saddles." Rebel. Tom Gilcoyne, historian, National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame: I'm an old-timer, and I recall that F.A. Heckler was the first track bugler, at Monmouth Park in Jersey in 1885. You really are an old-timer. I wasn't there, sonny. Oh. According to The American Turf, "Mr. Heckler continued to act in the same capacity at all the race courses in the East." What a guy. Nina Gilbert, director of choral activities, Lafayette College, official A.G. music historian: The most common tune in racing is "Assembly of the Buglers," a.k.a. "First Call." It's a military tune, the first bugle call of the day. It was used to call the camp buglers. But if they were bugling for the buglers, who was doing the bugling? Can't say. Nerts. Funny thing about horns -- they seem to always have existed. Like Dick Clark! Well, not quite. Most instruments have mythological or biblical origins, like Jubal plucking the tendons on a turtle shell to make the first lyre. Free Bird! Or when Pan chased a nymph and the gods turned her into reeds. Lost me there, Nina. Pan gasped in angst; it was the first flute sound. Aqua Lung! And we know that Joshua blew his trumpet, and the walls came tumbling down. Woe to thee, Jericho. But all the trumpet stories refer to earlier trumpets. That is funny.

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