I was down with the masses all day (well, I am one of the masses, so that figures) and had a lot of fun. Though, holy cow, someone should tell single women to take up horse racing to meet men-- the pick-up attempts started within 30 seconds of my getting to the train platform. Although most of the men are pretty skeevy-looking... so scratch that idea. My riding buddy and I were exhausted after fending off pick-up lines from drunk men all day long.
Lots and lots of people in their 20s and 30s there for the day.
Signed the Barbaro get well card.
Lessons learned by a novice handicapper-- 1) I can't bet the big races to save my life, because I get emotionally involved. Stay away from big races.
2) Don't look down on races where two heavily bet favorites are clearly the only ones with a shot to win-- it may not pay much, but it's as close to a sure thing as you'll ever get, and an exacta that pays 5-1 is still several times over a 100 percent return on your investment. I picked 4 exactas and 1 trifecta that day, but didn't bet on two of the exactas because it didn't seem worth it, and then felt like I should have bet them.
3)Don't ever again schedule a move on the same weekend as the Belmont. I didn't get to sit down with the form until midnight on Friday, went to bed at 3AM and got up just a few hours later to continue packing. Bleah.
4)Don't leave "Showgirls" on TV in the background while you're handicapping. Even when it's on VH1 and is edited down to about a 45-minute movie, it's still such a train wreck it's hard to look away.
5) Someone should tell VH1 that "Showgirls" is not a "Movie that Rocks."
I took a gazillion photos on my little digital camera-- I'll post some of the better ones once I have time-- we moved yesterday and I've got to find my make-up before an audition today! I have some nice ones of EC in the walking ring for Kev, and Buffy, I have some of B&J if you still want to see them...
And I was happy Jazil won (even though I didn't bet him) because I like it when the little guys win. See? Emotionally involved.