Have to Laugh
I laughed a bunch at this post knowing that it's the kind of people we are. "Going in for an operation, but I really like some horses in the double". Most people would consider that appalling and a perverse set of priorities, but people like us would consider it reasonable.
I remember one time years ago my father had a heart attack and stroke. He was in a coma and they wanted to pull the plug. I said no, wait a bit. The next morning I came to see him and he was sitting in a chair at the window looking out at a field and he asked me "Do you know they have turf racing here ?". I said "No" and he said he asked the nurse but couldn't get a program or find out where the windows were.
I always reject the stereotype that horseplayers are degenerate gamblers. Myself and all my family only have ever played horses. My wife plays Power Ball, but I don't. I don't go to casinos or gamble on sports. I play horses. I love it and have always done it and hopefully will always do it. In fact, I have only met a few degenerate gamblers at the track, especially lately. There's too many casinos around. I find horseplayers.
I grant you, it's tough. Small fields and takeout cripple us. But there is no better game to play. And we do love the game we play.
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