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).