From my early days going to the races with my dad. I always wanted to work in racing. Quoting Papa Wallenda pretty much sums up my travels in Thoroughbred racing. My first job at the track was really exciting, or that’s what I thought. I had a slick green windbreaker and khaki shorts with my […]
It’s your old friend the HH, and I’m enjoying the summer. How about you? – I know it’s upside down and doesn’t make much sense. But, there’s plenty to enjoy. About now we’d start heading toward Labor Day as the end of summer. Now, it will be Derby Day weekend. Crazy, huh? – But, if […]
51,317 – 7,084 – 39% I guess you’re wondering how many times you’ve done anything in your life 51,317 times? Blink? Heartbeats? Smile? – Or, watched Perry Ouzts climb onto the back of a 1,200 lb Thoroughbred. – How about 7,084? The number of times he […]
If I listen close, I can still hear the band. – They are far down Oak street, but music echoes in the distance. – My town was like the one most called home. – Firetrucks and police cars blaring horns and sirens. Girl and boy scout troops, decorated veterans walking proudly waving to the […]
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 taking a little vacation. – No, I didn’t hit the beach or go to the mountains. I took a break since the Breeders’ Cup. – Now, that didn’t mean I stopped reading or handicapping the races. It was a little hiatus from the windows. – Right after the BC, I took a little […]
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 […]
My Dad was a hard worker all his life. – When I was a kid I used to be amazed at how strong he was and the amount of work he could handle. – ” Iron doesn’t rust.” – That was one of his many lines about how he was in such good shape. – […]
The stockings come down from the chimney with care, and the holiday traffic is out of your hair. – Well, you get the idea. The holidays are over and it’s time to start counting the days for marquee races and the road to the Derby. Spring is only 73 days off, and the Derby is […]
I was sitting in my office looking out the window. – We are six floors up and the flurries were whizzing past like a snow globe. It was a winter-wonderland rolling through my mind. – It took me back to days gone by and memories they held. – Just staring out the windows overlooking the […]