Racetracks do not have the feel of your grandpa’s place anymore. – Where there was once a smoke-filled grandstand has been replaced by a more friendly environment. If you doubt my words, just pack the kiddies in the car and make the trek. You may be surprised. Kids at the track back in the day was a […]

Sometimes we think of the big winner, the huge payoff or the score that continues to elude. But for this Happy Handicapper, there have been some really big goals on the table to chase down and cash in. – It was on Sunday, November, 26th that I started back at Turfway Park. I was going to […]

      There are a small group of players I see every year. It is about the same time and they always arrive with gusto. Dressed in summer finery, and caps or t-shirts bearing the track name. – They travel around the country every year and hit race tracks on a yearly bucket list. – […]

For years I made treks to Beulah, Louisville-Trackside, Churchill, Keeneland, Arlington, Turfway, and many others. The trip with friends and conversation was worth a million bucks. – As we would walk into large buildings prepared to put on the best contest possible. The top three would be going to Vegas, and the rest would be going […]

                  I stand up every race and look out the windows for a few minutes. I’m looking for the longtime faces that have been coming to the races as we both have gained a little age to our looks. – The fans are the best part of […]

Another month in the books and “The Happy Horseplayer” enjoyed every minute. – The eternal optimist looks forward to more fun in the sun as racing is just starting to heat up. The past month left me with fond memories, nice scores, and a few bad beats. But all in all, I wouldn’t trade it […]

Is there anything better than jumping in the “Bet Mobile” and heading to your favorite oval ? – After meeting Bob Summers, I can say that may be one of the top three reasons for getting out of bed in the morning. We all have that big building we loved to visit with program in […]

Summer is always a busy time. Great weather, fire up the grill and watch the sunset. Racing has always been a big part of my life. From my years in the parking lot as a kid to the many incredible jobs as an adult. There is something about the beauty and heat of the summer sun. […]

I know this sounds like complete bunk, but if you give it a good think you’ll find some truth. For me, when I have a six horse field in a nice allowance race it probably looks like shooting fish in a barrel. But seldom is the case. When I am faced with a daunting card […]

    We’ve heard this mantra for most of our working life but what does it really mean ? – For most it is putting up with the daily grind and bearing it with a grin. As I said that is most of who go to work. – When you love what you’re doing and […]