Without fail you can remember every bad beat with laser-like precision. Winners are sweet, but the losses are like a bad taste in your mouth you can’t get rid of. – We’ve all had them and hopefully, we’ll have plenty of stories telling tales of the big win. You’ll never forget your first: […]
Nothing beats it. Remember when going to the races was an event? – You dressed up and went out for the evening. – Meeting friends to enjoy the action. Or, maybe it was driving out for the last few races. You still had on your work clothes and made the jaunt to catch some mid-week […]
I’ve been doing some reflection. There’s so much to be grateful, and so many people that helped me, taught me, and showed me there was only one job for me. – Everyday my car pulled into my parking spot I’ve never regretted a minute. We all start off somewhere. I began at 19-years-old in the […]
Memorial Day at the track was always a time where we honored those who served and gave the ultimate sacrifice. – There would be free admission, free seating, and a free lunch. Among the sea of hats covered with WWII units, and places of service. They were older gents who would […]
If you don’t believe in the “spooky” stories of gamblers let me be the first. – Gamblers are the most superstitious animals in the world. The lucky hat, favorite seat, or the pen that was given to you by your friend from Vegas. – Horseplayers have always caught my curiosity over the years. Unlike poker players […]
How many times have we heard the magic sounds of the wanna’ be player talk about the race? – Long ago, I was told by a seasoned horse player that opinions at the track are backed up with money. There is always a few that seem to know everything about every runner and why we should have […]
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. – […]
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 winds of fall blow gently through the trees as the sweltering heat of summer fades into the sunset. The Happy Horseplayer readies for the fall racing season with dreams of cool days and autumn foliage in Kentucky. Maybe its the thought of going to Keeneland or the Breeders’ Cup around the corner. But the […]
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 […]