There’s a certain feel when the dice careen off chips and come spinning to a halt. As the reels spin with a whirl of colors and dreams to come. You peek at your hole cards and find that pair of bullets staring back at you as you reach deep for composure and cool. People can […]
The winter winds are blowing in Florence, Kentucky and the synthetic track is always fast. I work as a racing official and watch every single race. Sometimes I’ll look at the program making “mind bets” as who I thought looked the best. – After a few weeks, here is what I have found. It is […]
As we gather around the tree and sip eggnog and sing carols. We wish with that gleam in our eyes for wonderful gifts a plenty. Handicappers love a good day, and their skills are sharpened and ready to employ. As we give thanks and enjoy the holiday season. Here are a few things I would […]
HISA is buzzing around the racing world like a nest of hornets. After the 60 Minutes piece painting everything racing as the devil; most folks took the word of the news program as gospel. The last time I heard anything like this was Greyhound Racing in Florida. – After damning it to the lowest levels, […]
The weather will be good during the week with some showers on Friday. The track drains better than any I’ve seen, and by Saturday you should have the best oval to wager during the meet. Dry at first, water from the sky, and a drainage that will keep the track perfect for a fair non-biased […]
As our bankroll starts dwindling or maybe it’s the flip side and you’re on fire. Now is the time to bet like a pro. – We all feel like we have a handle on our betting style and plan. But if this was true, wouldn’t you have quit your day job by now? – Don’t […]
It started in the cold of winter in Kentucky. The funny thing is it’s not Alaska, but it can get damn cold. Being on the windward side of the building you felt every blustery blow of the winds coming out of the west. For the horses, you would look to which direction the flags were […]
Many mark the day with a family BBQ or fireworks and sparklers for the kids. For horse racing fans in the Ohio / Northern Kentucky area, there was only one place to be. River Downs. It sat near the shores of the muddy Ohio River as the breezes blew gently through the big […]
Starting off my day at work seemed about as normal as possible. Blue skies and sunshine gleamed over the hills of Kentucky and glanced off the brilliant Ohio River. I walk into the jock’s room and the daily banter of how riders did yesterday and how many mounts await held the conversation. It was until […]
For decades, Angel Cordero rode as tough as nails. You didn’t come up the rail on him, and Lord knows you didn’t ride too close to pin him in. It was part of the game and he did his fair share of days off and fines levied. Irad Ortiz is one of the strongest finishers […]