If you could have what you wanted as a racing fan for the holiday season, what would it be?  A big winner?  Nice exacta?  The pick six? Your call….. What would you want?

For me it would be a few things.  Many would not be the usual things on a player’s list.

Number one – This one on my list is easy. I would love to travel back in time to the days when I was a young man. When my dad and my grandpa would be making plans to travel out to watch the last three or four races. I would get my homework done just so I could be asked. My dad would have me in the backseat, and we would pick up papaw. He loved to smoke Dutch Masters cigars. He smelled like those honeys all of his life. My pop would usually float him a $20 or so and get him in the game. I was just glad to be there. I didn’t want to hang out with the boys my age watching Happy Days. I wanted to be with my dad and papaw. No matter what, I loved the ride out. Sometimes I would get to make a bet. Those days were golden. I sure would love to make that drive with them again. Just to hear papaw talking, and loving the races. He even met my grandmother at the races. I have the program from their wedding day. Not a wedding program, but a Kentucky Derby program from 1933. They stopped at the justice of the peace, and got hitched on the way. I would love just one more ride out with the two men I loved the most.

Number two – I would like to duplicate a week in December 1993. It was a huge week for me… I just graduated college, I gave my wife a ring to be married, and my horse won his first race. College was easy for me, and my wife and I were living together, so getting married was the next logical step. My horse winning… Well, that was another thing.  He was not able to win bottom $4,000 claimers. He kept running second. I asked my trainer, and begged him until he gave in. I told him that he ran the same race every time. It won’t matter against what level. So, we entered claiming $8,000. He thought we had no chance, and I bet every dime I could get my hands on. He won in a three horse photo coming out of the clouds like Silky Sullivan…. My entire family was there, and we had about 100 people in the photo….. On my way to the winner’s circle, I thought about my papaw. He had passed away a few years prior, and this would have been the time of his life. It was great for everybody. I wish I could have that week back one more time.

Well,  there it is… These are some of the things I would like to have back. But, I am very lucky. I have a wonderful son, and I still go to the races with my dad. I have some good friends, and I enjoy the work that I do… So, in a way I am living a dream. It would not make the front page, but it has been fun for me. The fun I have had, and the adventures it has shown me will long live in my heart.