The sun beats down on your sweat stained cap. – Not a seat to be found as the place was packed. You had to get there an hour early to nail down a chair. – We used to park in the horsemen’s lot a 1/4 mile away and jog to the gates. – Gamblers are funny. They don’t mind […]

I awoke from a dream the other night. You know, as men get older we spend more time letting the dog and ourselves out for overnight relief. But I digress from the image you have about my old dog and his middle age owner. Racing has been my passion, an outlet, a time of reflection, […]

The best part was when they handed you the dirty dollar bills. If you were lucky, there were a few coins you’d grab up and shove into your pocket. – There was no sweeter feeling in the world. You were the big winner.  The gambling bug had bitten, and my love affair began. I recall with vivid detail […]

Where did you get your start ? – You know, where did you cut your teeth as a horse player ? – For many there wasn’t a visit to the Spa, or where the surf meets the turf. It was the small tracks. The little ovals that had a charm or lack there of all […]

Wouldn’t it be the best life to just travel around and see the ovals? – The ones that were marquee places and the quaint little joints that harkened back to another time. I’ve been pretty lucky getting around a bit, but I surely won’t be Johnny Cash singing “ I’ve been Everywhere, Man.” – But […]

Remember when the envelope with your name on it came to the house? You were 5-years-old, and you got mail! You tore it open with Mom’s help and discovered you were invited to Cindy Lou’s birthday party. Oh the fun, the kids, the presents, the cake and ice cream. It was your date circled on […]

It happens every year, and hopefully we get to see it. For some it is a curse that pulls back the curtain of time and reveals our every flaw. For others it is the greatest of gifts, and should never be thought of as a weight or a warning. I would like to sit with […]

I went to a local casino for dinner and watched my gal at the blackjack table. I enjoy watching for the most part, and on occasion I’ll pull out a $20, and play some video poker. I  know about odds, double-downs, and what the percentage of a “bust-card” is for the dealer. But it’s not […]

If you sample about 20 gamblers at the track, you will get more stories than your ears can hold. They will begin with the bad ones that still hurt, and of course the big winning days that keep them coming. Here are a few stories that stick out as some of the toughest.   1. […]

It is a cold winter day in Kentucky, and I am looking ahead to the weekend action. As the big races begin to come into focus, I find myself taking that little mental break to reflect back on fond memories. You can liken it to a kid looking out the window in 6th grade math class wondering about […]