why we love the game....

[westcoastinvader]

Originally Posted by Suffolk Shippers

My grandfather was an MP in WWII, which made him a crazy history buff as well. In studying early civilization wars, so many of them involved horses, from the turn of time through the Civil War and beyond. As he told me, over time he fell in love with the horse, whether it be a wild west stallion, pony, or a thoroughbred. I remember growing up looking at picture books of all kinds of horses. One memory I remember quite clear was Preakness weekend in 1988. My folks had left me and my sister with my grandparents, as they traveled to Maine for a weekend wedding. On that Saturday was the Preakness where Risen Star slipped by Winning Colors. I watched my first race with my grandfather, the penultimate horse lover, who never once placed a wager in his life. Gramps was "pulling" for the filly. The next day, as any Celtics or NBA classics fan will attest to, was the epic battle between Dominique Wilkins and Larry Bird in the Hawks-Celtics series.

It was a great weekend. My grandfather was then, and always will be my hero. A decorated veteran who risked his life in the war the defines the world we live in, and a life long fire fighter who made a living risking his life to aide total strangers. Oh, and he's the reason I love horses and horse racing.

As for why I choose racing as my gambling choice, I look at it this way. Anyone can pull the lever of a slot machine, or get lucky on a scratch ticket. It doesn't take any skill or understanding of value. I'm lost in any casino until I find a race book. I don't know any cards games, save for go fish! and all those drinking games I perfected in college. What I like about racing is it takes skill. It takes having a value system and sticking to it. It's about me trying to outsmart you and take your money, but not as enemies. It's me trying to find the angle that you missed and turning it into a winning one. But, at the end of the day, we are just doing what we enjoy, win or lose.

Nice thread idea, hooves. I'm glad some people who might not be too heavy into the gambling aspect can have a chance to share their stories. Fact of the matter is, there is absolutely nothing wrong with starting off small, enjoying horses from books, or enjoying a race horse based on that animal's backstory (ie Evening Attire, Funny Cide or Nicanor, for example). For every person who enjoys racing for the animals and wagers sporadically, if it all, there is a person like me who enjoyed the game from a far growing up, and grew into enjoying the wagering aspect on a regular basis. All too often those people who are not necessarily on the wagering aspect are some what drowned out on here, and that's not right.

Looking forward to reading what everyone else has to say.

Ultra cool post. Thanks!

[westcoastinvader]

I went to the track the first time as an infant, and was probably at the track at least 100 times before I started public school.


Sort of like a bad family values episode of "Mad Men," I guess.


I've always felt warm and at home around betting on horses, in person or not.

Barley and hops replaced the pacifier I probably had in the early part of my first 100 track visits. Barley and hops sometimes seem to increase the desire to continue track attendance and horse wagering.


Not to brag, but I win nice $$ on enough occasions that I get to celebrate enough that perhaps I suppress memories of my losses.

I can watch 50 races and not have a bet on any of 'em, and very much enjoy my experience.


(that last part may not happen often, but the intent of my message is sincere)

:-)

[Split Rock]

I went for the first time the day after prom 1986. My girlfriend's father was getting into horse racing and his uncle, Jake Mauer of Big Jake's Green Sheet at Canterbury Downs, had given him some books to read, which in turn he gave to me to read.

Over the next few summers when back home from college, my dad and I would attend the races 3-4 times per week. It was a 40 minute ride to the track and we would talk about the horses, who we liked, etc. Those bonding times with my dad became some of the greatest moments of my life.

We got to watch some very nice runners live in person at CBY during those years. Runners like Who Doctor Who, Hoist Her Flag, Turbo Launch, Clever Trevor, Lost Code, Minneapple, etc.

My dad stopped following seriously in the mid 90's but I've kept it in my life since that first day I went in 1986.

The intellectual decision making required to be prolific at the game is what draws most of us. It drew me in and has kept me playing and following closely for many years.

[_ed_]

The day when a whole new group of horses turn 3 (August 1 over here).

[joeydb]

Hooves, decided to repost from a similar thread I made a while back:
http://www.derbytrail.com/forums/showthread.php?t=26184

My first time at the race track was as a young boy around 1979 or so. My dad, who still likes racing but is not a frequent bettor, decided to take our family to Atlantic City race course. We had a blast. I made -- er, "recommended" -- a few bets and a few of them hit. We watched from the grandstand, and I remember that was the first time I had ever been that close to see a bunch of real horses running as we lived outside of Philly in south Jersey where everything is really dense and suburban. They were also having a "free T-Shirt" day -- something that seems like a good marketing move even today.

Fast forward almost a decade when I was in freshman year of college, and I found a newstand that sold advance editions of the Daily Racing Form, with "Past Performances for Saturday". Thursday night if possible, Friday night if need be, I'd take over the kitchen table with calculators, pads of paper, and highlighters, trying to discern who had a chance the next day at Garden State Park or Philadelphia Park. Buddies of mine from the neighborhood would call or stop in, some would help out -- and then on Saturday we'd attack the track. Always fun -- sometimes profitable.

One thing my college buddies still talk about is when about six of us went to Philly Park and we all each hit a $600 trifecta. I gotta tell you, even cheap college beer goes down like Dom Perignon after a day like that.

[South Beach Luv]

I married into it, my wife has been a racing fan forever and owns an OTT mare. Before I met her I would casually watch the Derby and maybe the other TC races but that was about it, now HRTV/TVG is on 80% of the time, especially on the weekends.
Smarty Jones is the first horse I got really excited about. I was working 2nd shift on the weekends back then and had to sneak away to an empty conference room to watch his TC races.
I'm still pretty green to the handicapping, this is the first year I actively followed the Derby Trail and all the prep races, etc..and not to blow smoke up Steve's ass but finding his show on Sirius had a lot to do with that. I like the challenge it presents, I like how unlike other sports there are races everyday, and I have 2 tracks within 30 mins of me for live racing.

[dean smith]

My dad somehow got into it (I don't know how, he passed before I realized I was also in love with it, so we never talked to much about it) and used to take my brother and I to Raceway Park in Toledo once in awhile. At the time, I was too young to know anything, but enjoyed rooting for the best, "coolest" sounding names. I remember him "calling" races as we drove on the highway back then ("It's Marty's Red Car three-wide on the outside!"). I also remember going to thoroughbred tracks on occasion during family vacations (much to mom's chagrin -- she never cared about it at all).

Still not understanding anything about handicapping, I'd drag my friends to Raceway later on in high school for the occasional fun night of betting blindly on odds and hoping it make a few bucks. I was/am a huge fan of sports, so I took note of the Derby every year, but then I'd forget about the sport until the next spring, for the most part (save for the Raceway trips now and then).

In '97 I moved to San Jose, California and took advantage of the fact that Bay Meadows was thirty minutes up the road. I found myself going every chance I got -- and then drive an hour up the other side of the Bay when they switched to Golden Gate. I had known how to read PPs since I was a kid, but didn't really understand them. At a bookstore, I picked up Beyer on Speed, absorbed what I could, then picked up Betting Thoroughbreds, then everything else I could get my hands on about the sport. By the War Emblem Triple Crown run I was hooked completely. Went to all three races at the local tracks to watch and wager and was crushed when he came up short.

[Port Conway Lane]

My grandfather took my dad to the races back in the days of the Maryland fair circuit.As he tells it his father told him he needn't tell his mother where they had been

I remember watching the Derbys of the early 70's with my dad and sister who was 6 years my junior but into racing more than myself.She cried when Alydar lost and claimed how unfair it was that her teams(Redskins and Orioles) always got the short end of it(We hated Roger Staubach and the Mets) and now Alydar let her down.

About that time I was more into substance experimentation than horseracing.I had dabbled in racing in eigth grade with friends who had taken me out to Bowie Race Course and soon after we were booking each others bets on a daily basis until we discovered one of the guys was getting the results from the radio.

Fast forward to Affirmed's 3yo season.Late in the fall a friend from work takes me to Charles Town.I bet an exacta in an early race and Voila it hits.I go to cash and the teller informs me I must choose another exacta.The race I played was called the Big exacta,like a daily double except you turn in your ticket if you win the first half to play the next race.My buddy tells me the favorite is a lock and I need to choose a second horse.The one I picked ran third and the payoff with the second place finisher paid $1,100.

At that moment I realized a horseplayer was born.The substance experimentation dwindled as a newfound high was discovered.The next day I was at Laurel and I haven't stopped playing since.

[jrajf]

As teenagers we used to hop the fence at Suffolk (sometimes stoned sometimes not) and bet the few dollars we had in our pockets. The first time I bet, my buddy and I hit a 600.00 exacta on a two dollar bet. I was rich!! I went home and gave my mother a 50.00 bill and she whacked me in the head because she thought I was dealing drugs. Needless to say we hopped the fence a bunch more times and spent many a fall weekend in the grandstand with 20 bucks or whatever. Eventually fell in love with the problem solving aspect of it..then came Rockingham on Labor day with a morning card ..glorious and also back then Wonderland Park at night was as idyllic and nice a place to be on a warm summer night as I could find. Only 60 day meets ..it was nice enough to bring a date and impress her by going to the 6.00 combo window.

and today it keeps getting better..on my couch with a laptop and TVH/HRTV..multiple Saratoga trips each summer...with buddies..then with faamily then with golf buddies..horse racing remains the center..

just wish the game had more of a future..

[EpBurns]

I went to Bowie Race course when I was 9 years old to see a horse that my uncles friend trained he was running in a stakes race the trainer actually had a starter on belmont day this year his name is Leon Bluewiezs (sp?) well my uncle bet an exacta for me with Isella and another horse and Isella won the race and the exacta paid 172.00 and my uncle gave me all the money and I havent stopped betting the races or playing the horses since and now Im 45 so I have played the races for 34 years, now my uncle has his own just born Filly who he hopes can break her maiden in 2 years her father is Alfeet Alex now the mother is back in foaled to Discreet Cat so hopefully in the next few years my uncle will have bunch of winners for me........the mother is Ms. Diz she has thrown one winner fathered by birdstone and had trouble conceiving a few times with Johannsburg and Lion heart.

[Dunbar]

I grew up in Miami before there were any professional sports teams there. With 3 major tracks and no Dolphins/Marlins/Heat, horseracing got lots of TV-Sports coverage. I liked watching the Saturday TV races, too. Nashua was my first favorite. The match race with Swaps was a big deal.

Like Danzig, I ate up the Black Stallion books. I had the "Kentucky Derby Game", too. That's the one with the spinner and the 5 horses, each a different color. Whirlaway (purple) became my favorite in that game. (I'll bet several here could name the other 4 horses and their colors!)

We had family friends who owned some pretty good horses. One friend raced the stakes winner Stratmat. Another friend won the Belmont with Sherluck, denying Carry Back a triple crown.

By the time I was in high school, I was doing some very amateurish capping. I even wrote a letter to the Miami Herald applying for a job as their capper. (didn't even get a response!)

My fan interest dropped some in college, but the Affirmed/Alydar rivalry and then the Breeder's Cup jumped it back up again.

With the ever-shorter racing careers I keep thinking my fan-interest will fade away, but so far it hasn't.

Hooves asked "what made you play the horses as your gambling of choice". I understand and agree with the thought that horseracing is the most intellectually challenging form of gambling. That's not enough to make it my game of choice, though.

My game of choice involves a number of factors. The game's 'expected value' (EV), is a big factor. When I make a blackjack bet or play video poker, I KNOW I have some measurable positive EV. In most cases, the expected value of a horse bet is pretty subjective. There are just a few times a year when I am 99% sure I have an edge with a horse bet. So I spend more time with other forms of gambling.

--Dunbar

[Gate Dancer]

Growing up in Omaha, it was inevitable that an appearance at Ak-Sar-Ben would be in the cards. I believe it was my sophomore year in college (at UNO) when I made my first $2 show bet and got back $6. I thought there might be something to this. After that began the period of reading anything and everything on the sport. I had always watched the Triple Crown but had not really involved myself until the actual first visit to the track. I finally sent away for a 'system' book by Prof. Gordon Jones and was convinced by blindly following his figures and instructions I would be on the path to financial security. The first opportunity to use it was at Agricultural Park in Columbus, NE. After a couple of ups and downs the 'feature' race of the day came up and the 'system' had a 13-1 shot named Flying Shoulda. It cruised and I got back over $100 for my $5 dollar win and place bets. I was totally sold at this point and that was the springboard to a continual passion ever since.

I watched the rise and fall of Ak-Sar-Ben and Jack Van Berg treated us to seeing Gate Dancer in person. To watch that horse make his move on the far turn with his specially made 'hood' (earmuffs) was stunning. I studied and played the Nebraska circuit before moving to Chicago in 1989. Arlington Park is still one of the most beautiful tracks I've been to. After a 12 year stretch in SW Nebraska (thank God for Phonebet) I have relocated here in Montana and have a very nice simulcast location a few minutes from home.

I think my passion for horse-racing is derived from figuring out the challenge that each individual race provides. I like the mathmatical part of pace, figures and final times. I get personal satisfaction from picking a winner that you just can't get from a slot machine. I realize the effort involved in learning and becoming adept at horse-racing is just too much work for the vast majority of people, but I refuse to become a 'mind numbed robot' at a slot machine. I am concerned about the future of the game and certainly believe changes must be made. It will always be hard to get new people involved due to the plethora of alternative gambling options. As for me, I'll always be looking to improve my handicapping skills and this forum is one of those ways.

[ghartman02]

My Dad owned a few horses and I grew up around the sport in all apects. It was Latonia (Turfway) in the winter, River Downs in the summer. Sometimes it was trips to Beulah as well. Then in 1969 I went to The Kentucky Derby for the first time. I was a reluctant 10 year old and was miserable: until I saw the Twin Spires. It was a lost cause, I was hooked forever. Though my parents were somewhat strict, in the early 70's I ws taken out of school to attend The BlueGrass (which used to be run Thursdays). Again it was love at first sight at Keeneland. In 1973 I didn't get to go to the Derby with my parents. I conned my cousin into driving down, made my way to the fence and saw Secretariat. Since then I've been privleged to attend most race tracks. I still am thrilled everytime I drive to Keeneland. I still get a chill when I see the Twin Spires. I loved Hialeah and hope there is a revival. The beauty, excitement of the race, and solving the puzzle. AND... I can go to a Bengal or Reds Game, it's cool, but I'll spend anywhere from $30 to $80. At a race track, I can spend the same and come home with nothing, or I can make money. In the meantime I see beautiful horses, enjoy the sunshine, walk around places like Churchill or Saratoga and realize that someone like me did the same 100 years ago. A Bud Light is the best tasting beer on a warm spring day at Keeneland, A mint julep in on Derby Day, a glass of champagne at a morning workout at Saratoga. There's nothing better.

[Thunder Gulch]

Hate to interject in all of the folks with the romantic tales about growing up loving the game and the animals, but I'm a borderline degenerate gambler by nature. That's what piqued my initial interest anyway.

Then in 1991, I went to my first KY Derby the day after my last final exam in college. We went for the party and the gambling, but I definately changed my perspective that day. Been to 19 straight since and next year will be 20.

Now, I do follow the game weekly, if not daily, and I've read 50 or so books on the history of the sport.

[Oaklawnfan]

First of all let me reiterate. This is a great thread.
I always remember enjoying watching races. Jim Mackay's coverage for so many years on ABC was a never miss for me. Growing up in the Mid West, we were a long way from the track. Ak Sar Ben was the closest but didn't get there until my college days. I saw my first live race at the age of ten. My Grandparents had taken me on vacation with them to the West Coast. I'll always remember those smells, sounds and sights spending a day with my Grandpa at Santa Anita. The next live racing I enjoyed was at Centennial Park in Denver again on vacation with my Grandparents. Several years later I had learned how to read the past performances in the Daily Racing Form and was teaching my three daughters how to also. I took my girls to the opening weekend of The Woodlands in Kansas City, KS. We got an autographed poster from Mr. Shoemaker. I was in heaven.
Today my wife and I are regulars at Oaklawn each season. Weekend road trips to Remington in the Fall and simulcasting throughout the year at the Native American casinos just over the Oklahoma state line. When we visit Las Vegas I prefer the Race Book.
We now are in a partnership which has taken the thrill of this game to a whole new level. I can't believe how much more I have learned by participating on the ownership side. For me and my money there's no better entertainment.

[Ogygian]

I was 11 years old when my dad took me to Erie Downs, at least twice per week we head out there with my $8-$10 a bet nothing but $2 show every race. By the end of the meet I would still have my $8-$10 and a large jar full of change. On the big days we would head to the OTB in Ripley, New York. Looking back on that dump, I'm surprised I didn't get kidnapped, what a hole in the ground.
Then I was hooked on Thoroughbred Digest with Chris Lincoln...getting to know all the best horses at the time...Lady's Secret, Ogygian,Groovy, Turkoman, Manilla, Theatrical,..etc...
Then in 87 we made our first trip to Saratoga...bet $2 to show on Polish Navy that year and he came through for me. I just saw him a few weeks ago at Old Friends along with Ogygian. What great memories and they both only have one eye....
Then in 88 it was all Easy Goer, what a thrill to see him run in the Traver's!!
Fast forward to today, not much into the gambling side...walk into Presque Isle with a $100 on the big days and $40 bucks on others. More into the memorabilia side, saddle cloths, bobbles, photos, signed photos, tickets...etc.
I enjoy my job now, but I believe I missed my calling doing something in the horse racing industry.

[Indian Charlie]

I can't believe there are two people from Erie that know how to use the Internet, and they are both on here!

Ogygian, what do you think of PID?

[booner]

This is a great thread. I have enjoyed reading all the stories.

I had never been interested in horse racing, period. Then several friends invited me to go to Ellis Park one day in 2003. I remember hitting the tri in the 2nd race and it paid around $200 (Sad thing is, can't remember any horses involved!). It was a lucky hit, and on the way home I wanted to figure out how to read the program. The PP's really intrigiued me. But what I loved most about the trip was watching the horses run. The beauty really entrapped me, so much so I started watching TVG constantly.

I finally started to buy some books and learning more about the game. I felt that after 34 years of aimless wandering, I had finally found my personal passion. The PP's, betting and watching the horses compete made me feel so good. It's hard to explain the feelings I had back then. I just know that I had found something I wanted to follow fervently.

I don't get a chance to follow horse racing on the scale that several do on here, but try to take a day to play all day when I get a chance. Nothing beats going to the track and watching live. I love the atmosphere, whether it is glamorous or not. Being 30 minutes from Kentucky Downs, I don't miss a live day of racing there. I also go to Chuchill Downs, Keeneland and Ellis Park at least a couple of days each live meet. Even went so far as to attend 2 Breeder's Cups, and loved every moment of them (even the monsoons in Jersey!).

I am rambling, but I also have to add this story. At our company picnic this past Saturday, the Dreamriders in Russellville came out and had pony rides for the kids. I was volunteered to help out with them, and loved every minute of it. I now am going to volunteer more of my time to help them in any way I can. Point is, without that trip to Ellis Park in 2003, I would not have been interested and would not have helped them. So, my passion for horse racing has now led me to helping those who are less fortunate than my family and myself.

[my miss storm cat]

Originally Posted by joeydb

Hooves, decided to repost from a similar thread I made a while back:
http://www.derbytrail.com/forums/showthread.php?t=26184

I did one too. Remembered it cause of the MC Hammer post by Coach.

http://www.derbytrail.com/forums/sho...ghlight=Smarty

http://www.derbytrail.com/forums/sho...light=Favorite

Anyway, Smarty got me hooked. First race i ever went to was the 2004 Hollywood Derby.

On the Acorn, Good Reward, Big Squeeze, Terroplane, Whilly, Imperialism, Fight Club, Fast and Furious, Timo, Laura's Lucky Boy, Blackdoun, Joursanvault and Hendrix. I'll never forget that race.

[Dunbar]

Originally Posted by Ogygian

Then I was hooked on Thoroughbred Digest with Chris Lincoln...getting to know all the best horses at the time...Lady's Secret, Ogygian,Groovy, Turkoman, Manilla, Theatrical,..etc...

Hah, I forgot about that. For a couple of years, Thoroughbred Digest was the ONLY program I watched on TV religiously. Chris Lincoln did an excellent job on that show.

--Dunbar