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 […]
Confusion has a steep price to pay. I’ve been working in racing all of my life. No more saying it’s been mostly part of my working years; it’s been my entire life. – I’ve loved every day from the ice-cold parking lot days until I slowly climbed the ladder. The sport was my first love […]
On your way to your office, you see the beauty of watching horses train on the track as you hear the sounds of snorting colts being pulled up after a strong morning work. – You lean against the rail like you do every morning and you drink in the beauty of your surroundings. You could […]
I remember holding your hand and walking in the track. We were buddies separated by 23 years and I loved every minute even though I didn’t know what was really going on. Just being with you was reward enough, and nothing in my life has been that good since. You were great at math and […]
The 15-day meet is a special boutique variety. In the span of opening day, you will see the biggest connections with the movers and shakers in racing. You’ll see $2,000 suits and men dressed in shorts enjoying the early spring weather. – You’ll be treated to a ten-race card and a first post at 1:00 […]
A few blogs ago I spoke of taking a sabbatical. A little break from the bump and grind of betting on a bad streak or without the passion needed to score. I didn’t need as long as I thought initially and felt ready to ask the coach to put me back in. My plans are […]
Go back to the days of staring out the window while your history teacher droned on about the historical happenings way back in the day. – When the bell finally sounded and you looked at an empty notebook, you know you’ll pay the price later when the test day arrives. – Same process as playing […]
Horses thunder home and the wire is coming closer with every single stride. The crescendo of emotions is building like holding water back from the Hoover Dam. The excitement is building and the horses are nearing the wire. It’s going to be a close one, and the winner is… Players waited with bated breath to […]
We all want positive results, but sometimes we can’t find a winner without a search warrant. But I digress. – We need to do some soul-searching and check our ego at the door. To achieve a new sense of who we are as gamblers is a trip down the rabbit hole at times. Without further […]