Does horse racing define you?

[paisjpq]

Originally Posted by 2MinsToPost

Why does Horse Racing get a bad name? In my opinion this is why,

I remember my first trip to the track with my Mother. She was betting The Derby. We walked into Beulah and I was a "tad" nervous, I was probably 7 or 8 years old. Why? Anyone who has been to a track or simulcast facility knows why, the majority of customers are guys who don't bathe, no personal hygene whatsoever. Smoke everywhere, smells terrible. People screaming at the tv, cussing etc.. One trip thru the parking lot and what do you see? Beat up 1980's General Motors and Fords with trash spread all over the inside. So, if this is your first time going to the track what kinda taste will that leave in your mouth, not to mention smell on your clothing?

I can't believe Gambling gets the black eye it does. It's your money, do what you want with it. It's none of my business. Gambling only helps define those who allow it to. Its a part of me, not whole. I believe it's a part of everyone on here, not whole.

walk through the parking lot at Keeneland sometime...

[2MinsToPost]

Obviously this is not a fair look overall, but just what I have seen at my home tracks, Beulah and Scioto. Its the same people 360 days a year. The only time you see the new faces is the obvious days, Derby, Breeders Cup etc.. When I am there and see a new face I am shocked. I am especially shocked if I see them again.

[paisjpq]

Originally Posted by 2MinsToPost

Obviously this is not a fair look overall, but just what I have seen at my home tracks, Beulah and Scioto. Its the same people 360 days a year. The only time you see the new faces is the obvious days, Derby, Breeders Cup etc.. When I am there and see a new face I am shocked. I am especially shocked if I see them again.

I guess I'm lucky in that my first trip to the track was Saratoga as a kid, more like a park then a track. but I've seen the guys you talk about too...

Going back to the original question:

It is clearly a hobby for me.

But the animals are fantastic athletes and I think that is what many people miss by not going to the track, and or watching them work. I love the way the animals run. All this breeding stuff is interesting, but a huge side issue for me.

The gambling and the numbers allow the sport to take on a whole new life for me. It is also a study in people and habits. I love the numbers and the misuse of them. I love to watch people who have a thousand tickets in front of them after punching the machine to death. I love to listen to all the diff. folks talking about their stragtegies. The track itself is a very interesting place.

[2MinsToPost]

I am thankful in that I have found a place at my 2 home tracks where they don't put up with some of the nonesense, not too mention it is no smoking. Most definetly, the horse is the star of the show. It still every now and then gives me goosebumps when I am close to a horse in the paddock.

Originally Posted by pgardn

Going back to the original question:

It is clearly a hobby for me.

But the animals are fantastic athletes and I think that is what many people miss by not going to the track, and or watching them work. I love the way the animals run. All this breeding stuff is interesting, but a huge side issue for me.

The gambling and the numbers allow the sport to take on a whole new life for me. It is also a study in people and habits. I love the numbers and the misuse of them. I love to watch people who have a thousand tickets in front of them after punching the machine to death. I love to listen to all the diff. folks talking about their stragtegies. The track itself is a very interesting place.

[Seattleallstar]

Horse racing defintely does not define me, when I first started getting into the sport I thought it was a quick way to make a ton of cash. But as in the case with people who gamble that is defintely not the case. Instead it has become a way to connect and bond with my dad, gives us more things to talk about. In the past few months or so my interest has waned a bit, and I dont spend as much time as I should learning more about the game.

[DerbyCat]

I have been going to the track for over a year now and I completely love it, my local track is small and it seems eveyone knows the "regulars" and I'm happy to say that I've become one of them (I'm not there every day but most of the people who work there know me). My friends and family know I'm obsessed with the races and I think they all believe that it's just a phase I'm going through - it isn't, I know I'll be into this for life... I just love the ponies

Horse Racing does not define who I am. It is one of many coponents that defines who I am. There are so many aspects of racing that it isnt funny. Just like anything in life, you cant let one thing ruin what is important to you in your life. Jimmy Johnson (football coach) actually divorced his wife because his life was football and he thought it wasnt fair to his wife or to himself. If you choose to make racing your life, make sure you let things and people who are important to you understand that they are going to come 2nd.

To me there are 3 apsects to horse racing. 1) My small ownership. This allows me to experience the wonder of seeing your horse start their 1st race. Seeing them cross the finish line 1st and getting your photo taken. Being a small owner is something truly special to me and it is something that I enjoy. 2) Gambling and Handicapping. I view this as a form of entertainment. My wife uses scrapbooking as a way for her to leave her life of a wife, mom and worker. It is her hobby that is hers. She doesnt wany anyone in the family to be part of it. It is hers and she wants it that way. To me gambling and going to the track is the same. It is my hobby. My way of relaxing. It allows me to escape the pressures of being a father, hubby and business owner. To me it is like going to the movies, going for a drive or going to the opera. 3) The Fan Side. This is the most important to me. I am a fan of racing 1st before owner and gambler. I love watching the horses. I like how they look, how they run. My heart breaks when I see a horse injured and my heart skips a beat when I see a truly wonder performace. I just love watching horses compete. Now, I could give up the ownership and gambling. I would just replace those with something else that I enjoy. But I could never give up being a fan of the sport.

[SentToStud]

I think I spend 30 hours a week on horseraing. But to me, that's not all that much. Fortunately, I only sleep 4 hours a night, so I have a bit more time than most people to devote to my "interests." I really have only three interests... financial markets horse racing and whatever the hell my wife wants tme o do whenever the hell she wants me to do it. I work for myself as an employyee benefits consultant and also dabble in real estate, buying trashed out houses and townhouses, rehabbing them and reselling. My typical day:
4am: Wake up. Coffee brewed
4-6am: Markets, especially Far East
6-7am Gym
7-9am: Racing Form, Replays and get wife off to work, walk dog.
9-11am: Business Calls, visit clients, prospect, research real estate.
11-3 pm: Work on rehab project. As concession to my horse and financial markets interests, i always have internet service installed on at the home I'm working on.
3-6pm: Back home... markets, horses, benefits work.
6-10pm: Family time, walk dog
10-12: Tomorrows DRF and markets. Walk dog as needed.

I can take a day or a week off from racing and I never jones over it. If given a choice, I'd rather go see a good movie or play than go to the track. However, SentToStud does not do opera.

Family and Faith are first
Markets and horses are seond
I am third

Originally Posted by SentToStud

I think I spend 30 hours a week on horseraing. But to me, that's not all that much. Fortunately, I only sleep 4 hours a night, so I have a bit more time than most people to devote to my "interests." I really have only three interests... financial markets horse racing and whatever the hell my wife wants tme o do whenever the hell she wants me to do it. I work for myself as an employyee benefits consultant and also dabble in real estate, buying trashed out houses and townhouses, rehabbing them and reselling. My typical day:
4am: Wake up. Coffee brewed
4-6am: Markets, especially Far East
6-7am Gym
7-9am: Racing Form, Replays and get wife off to work, walk dog.
9-11am: Business Calls, visit clients, prospect, research real estate.
11-3 pm: Work on rehab project. As concession to my horse and financial markets interests, i always have internet service installed on at the home I'm working on.
3-6pm: Back home... markets, horses, benefits work.
6-10pm: Family time, walk dog
10-12: Tomorrows DRF and markets. Walk dog as needed.

I can take a day or a week off from racing and I never jones over it. If given a choice, I'd rather go see a good movie or play than go to the track. However, SentToStud does not do opera.

Family and Faith are first
Markets and horses are seond
I am third

Remarkably similiar values to mine. My day is similiar but where you have rehab you can add doing errands, yard work, etc, for some relatives and old folks. Ditto on the days off, not only can I handle them, I require them. I don't do opera either, but I love a good movie and dinner. Or in the summer a day at the lake followed by dinner, beer and a ballgame at night. Thats gonna beat any day at the track by a mile. As far as others who judge people in horses and what they think? The only guy I answer to is a Jewish carpenter. Everyone else can go and **** themselves if they wanna judge me.