Tough Times – Tougher People

If you’re the dealer, I’m out of the game. If you are the healer I’m broken and lame. If Thine is the glory mine is the shame. If you want it darker, than we kill the flame. – Leonard Cohen. 

Every morning is like the movie Groundhog Day. – I check my phone or find my desk calendar to see what day it is. – Social media keeps us all in touch, and I really look forward to reading Facebook. – After reading about horses, sales, plans, and racing. I’ll peruse my usual spots for racing news. Some of the best places are  “groups” where people who share the love of our sport to gather and talk about horses. It’s our place to speak of our love of racing.

Stephen Romano has a Facebook site “Horse Racing Forum of America” dedicated to the love of the game and the loyal fans.  – There are morning birthday wishes accompanied by an upbeat feel. Great way to start the day. – You’ll hear his thick New York accent speaking of great days at the races, favorite riders, and a multitude of friends, Nothing better to start the morning.

As of late, there have been some pretty dark words. Not that our leader has turned sour, but a passionate voice speaking about what’s going on. – That’s the hard stuff. You know he’d rather be talking about Belmont or making plans for Saratoga. I love all of the pics he posts about his friends in racing. The riders, trainers, owners, and TV hosts. Stephen is a fan of the game in the truest sense. He’s the kind of guy you love to spend a day at the races with.

I’ve noticed he has spoken from the heart many times. – This tears me apart watching our fellow brothers and sisters hurt to the core. How he tried to implore others to follow the rules and shelter in place. An update on who has come in contact with the novel virus, and ones we have lost. I could see it in his eyes and hear the darkness of the moment.

He longs for a bad day at the races versus daily worries of life. Man, that would be a big win right now.

As we try to keep a sense of equanimity. I would suggest thinking about when the dust settles. – What tracks are you going to hit first? Are you going to make a trip to visit that special oval you always wanted to see? – The answer is yes! My list grows by the day, and I’m going to drive the tires off my car going to the track. Yes, it will come back, and we’ll fall in love all over again. In the meantime, here are a few things to do to keep you involved.

Use social media to stay in touch with other fans in “groups” who share the love of racing. – Call your buddy and hash over the day’s races. – Watch the big weekend races and relish the return to normalcy. Check-in each and every Thursday @ 8pm EDT for the Winning Ponies Internet Show, and if you miss it, go back and check it out on the podcast. John Englehardt brings you the action with some of the biggest names in racing. – Free selections are posted ( and we did pretty well last weekend!) – Go ahead and download your Winning Ponies E-Z Win Forms for the most comprehensive handicapping data. There’s never a bad time to build your bankroll.

Trust me, this too shall pass. – We’re all in this together and relish every time a track goes to post. – It’s time to feel good and enjoy the action. – From your friends at Winning Ponies, best of luck, and be safe.