Every person who has ever walked through the turnstile gates has a story. Some are sweet and detail days of riches, and others speak of the bad beat of a lifetime. Either way, the stories continue forever. Here is one that I had the pleasure of hearing, and believe it or not they are the stuff that make […]
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 […]
We have all gone out for a few races with a short bankroll in pocket. Not everyday is Breeders’ Cup, and you can still have some fun until that dough gets rolling. I had a message on my phone and didn’t think to take it until late last night. When I finally did, it was a […]
It is rare to meet someone who really makes a living at the races. We have read books and watched TV series about the colorful characters. But how many do you really know? They are a rare gem to find. And when you stumble across one they leave you believing in the magic. First, you […]
We all know what to expect when we bet with our local OTB, ADW, or the race track of our choosing. This is pointed at the wagering menu for the most part. But things don’t have to be so stale. I salute the tracks and out-of-the-box thinkers. It is up to the people that put on the […]
We have all made that search in the couch cushions when we were looking for pizza money or change for the parking meter. But for Johnny this was his quest for a building a small bankroll and heading to the races. He had earned the name of Johnny Dollar long ago, as he was always asking […]
I saw a great movie about mobsters, and the kind of characters that make sitting in the theatre a pleasure. Without further delay, the movie title is “Things to do in Denver When Your Dead.” There is a friend of mine who has been a bookmaker for years. Every time we speak I learn something […]
Everyone that enjoys watching the ponies has a favorite rider. Or it may be the one who just walked into the winner’s circle with your big score. For me, it is hands down just one rider, and Christmas may have came early for this punter. When I was reading a DRF article about Gary Stevens sequestering himself in Washington […]
Sunday afternoon found me in an old familiar place. I was at Turfway Park helping out with a handicapping contest. For many moons I ran the show, but on this day I was helping a friend continue the tradition. You could say it felt like old times… My job was getting people registered, answering questions […]
There is a chip that was embedded into every horse player’s noggin when they were a child. We were told they were giving us a booster, but it turned out to be an aggressive tendency to enjoy the races, and seek the gold wherever it came from. Steve is a longtime user of the Winning […]