The best part of being a handicapper were the friendships made along the way. – Feel free to quote me if you wish. Not that “Papa” Hemingway would be jealous or Bukowski angry. – It was the friendships that made the cold nights watching cheap Thoroughbreds seem like the Kentucky Derby. I was too young […]

Another month passes, and racing action is beginning to heat up. There’s nothing like Thoroughbreds thundering home in the summer sun. – The Triple Crown is upon and my excitement is at a fever pitch. But when a Triple Crown hopeful is on the line, the joy of watching the historic event is that much […]

    I’ve worked at the races since I was 18-yrs-old. I’ve had every job on the track minus selling tickets. – During this time you meet some pretty interesting people. Adding to the list was track photographer Pat Lang. – I first met him when I made my way down to get my picture taken […]

      Two men walk into a race track. – Now before you think it sounds like the start of an old joke; it’s true. – The two older fans have been walking into the races together for quite some time. – For many, it’s not an unusual trek from the car to the gates. […]

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 […]