Venue for 7/10 and Tale of Woe

[DonGuido]

Originally Posted by JolyB

Just read your tale of woe. Would it help if said that I'm sorry? "Left out a horse that I liked because I thought the horse that everyone said couldn't lose wasn't beatable and I wanted to keep the cost of the ticket down" All of us who have played exotic bets of both the horizontal and vertical kind have been there and have felt just what you are feeling right now.

Someone once tried to console me that "we learn from our mistakes" I replied that if that was the case I would be one of the smartest men alive because I have made so many mistakes.

Hang in there my friend. May the horse be with you.

I like that JB. Do you have a trademark on it?

[cal828]

I’m not really all that upset. Anyone that has played horses very much knows that losing a lot is just part of it. I’m really just laughing at myself for playing such a rediculously cheap ticket. I didn’t expect to get anywhere close to winning and that can be a self fulfilling prophecy. Actually, I seem to be doing better than usual with my handicapping and that can be a bit hard to get used to, but It probably won’t be a problem that hangs around very long.

[NJ Stinks]

That is hard to swallow, Cal.

I had something happen to me that made me think it's in the cards or it isn't.

Was playing a Magna 5 at a Philly OTB. I thought my ticket cost $24 but much to my surprise the Magna 5 was a $2 bet. So I dropped a couple horses from the ticket which left me with two singles. Hit it for $3,600 when I was positive one of those horses removed from the ticket was gonna be my Waterloo.

My wife was more convinced than I was.

[cal828]

Originally Posted by NJ Stinks

That is hard to swallow, Cal.

I had something happen to me that made me think it's in the cards or it isn't.

Was playing a Magna 5 at a Philly OTB. I thought my ticket cost $24 but much to my surprise the Magna 5 was a $2 bet. So I dropped a couple horses from the ticket which left me with two singles. Hit it for $3,600 when I was positive one of those horses removed from the ticket was gonna be my Waterloo.

My wife was more convinced than I was.

The funny thing was I expected to lose long before the last race with a 2/5 favorite, but it happens. My handicapping has improved, but my wagering still sucks. It’s the old bugaboo of “scared money never wins.” Just give me another 40 years of play and I will no doubt overcome. I have seen the enemy and he is me. At least my boredom was cured.

[RUFFIAN]

SOMETIMES LADY LUCK IS WITH ME AT THE TRACK

I used to Go to a PRIVATE turf club every Saturday
Played five different tracks on big screens

I Was very well known for
My LONGSHOT and GRAY Winners

One time after a race was finished
I was mumbling and grumbling

The guy behind me said
“why are you upset you have the Winner “

Inadvertently ……. When I got my ticket at the window
I was really asking for the race that was going to go off next
But instead the lady gave me the ticket for the race that was about to go off

It paid big and I had the ticket even if I didn’t pick the horse

Sometimes Lady Luck Works in mysterious ways

[JolyB]

Originally Posted by DonGuido

I like that JB. Do you have a trademark on it?

It's not original Don. I intended it as a tribute to the late, great Harvey Pack who passed away just a couple of days ago at age 94. He hosted the NYRA racing program for many many years and during the Saratoga season conducted handicapping seminars at Siro's every race day. Harvey never pretended to be a great handicapper himself but allowed his guests to debate their opinions of the day's card. He had a wonderful ability to tell stories and seemed to know everyone in racing. My favorite Harvey Pack line was when a heavy favorite ran up the track, he would say, "Hardly a man is now alive who paid the mortgage at 1 to 5".

He developed a routine at the end of every program of tossing his program into the air and saying "May the horse be with you" RIP Harvey Pack.