Does horse racing define you?

[TheSpyder]

First I think some of you are in denial, but that's for you to decide.

Second according to the dictionary define means:

To give form or meaning to: “For him, a life is defined by action”

Now, that does not mean that your don't "care about" anything else. In fact, it does mean just the opposite. example: Barbaro

Maybe some of you have not logged approaching four decades of horse racing and maybe you don't care to, but, just like the ponies we play, I guess we are all different.

I just think I have found so many life lessons over the years and in each race that, yes, it does define me and I think I'm a better person for it.

Spyder from SC

[Gander]

Scuds-

My father gave me a carton of cigarettes and said..."Smoke up Johnny".

I love horse racing, staying in good shape, baseball, reading, drinking coffee and eating. Not so much into golf like I used to. It is too much of a process playing on weekends (basically only time I can play) and its getting real expensive. It doesnt give me the same level of pleasure as it use to when I was actually good at it.

[Gander]

First I think some of you are in denial, but that's for you to decide.


I know some of you are in denial!

Originally Posted by Gander

First I think some of you are in denial, but that's for you to decide.


I know some of you are in denial!

Tim lemme ask you something, would you say that the Red Sox or Yankees define you or I? I mean after all, when we scream and yell at the tv for the manager to get the damn pitcher out of there, or jump up and start making circular motions with our arms like a 3rd base coach after a guy hits a line drive with a guy on 2nd base, I'd say to the average guy we look like loonies. I've been with girls who don't understand or like sports who have seen me do this and they just can't believe that I do those things. Yet I would be hard pressed to say the Yankees define me. Its probably always been my greatest passion in life, I have been a Yankee fan to the 10th degree since I was just a small kid. Yet, its not a definition. I think that some have the ability to have great passion for their interests yet remain multifaceted. YOU know my political views and when I watch Hannity and his liberal jerkoff partner I sit and yell and at the tv screen louder than I yell during a race. Life, to me, gets awfully boring when you only have one interest or setting.

[hoovesupsideyourhead]

yes ,yes and yes,,love this sport and the" puzzle".if i would have taken a diffrent path in life i would have been a trainer,,but that bieng said..its the only thing thats just mine...kids wife all that is great ..but ive got my own thing that makes me happy..as i now reside in the bible belt its even more the life of a secret agent..surely the local pta would frown upon a horsplayer for a position..or coach..its funny when people ask me what i do for a living...i have to tell them im a consultant...lmfao...i live in a place where doct and lawyers are the norm ..so i find it funny.....

[GPK]

Originally Posted by hoovesupsideyourhead

yes ,yes and yes,,love this sport and the" puzzle".if i would have taken a diffrent path in life i would have been a trainer,,but that bieng said..its the only thing thats just mine...kids wife all that is great ..but ive got my own thing that makes me happy..as i now reside in the bible belt its even more the life of a secret agent..surely the local pta would frown upon a horsplayer for a position..or coach..its funny when people ask me what i do for a living...i have to tell them im a consultant...lmfao...i live in a place where doct and lawyers are the norm ..so i find it funny.....

F 'em Hooves. I have talked with ya alot by phone, and even though we have never met in person, I can tell your a class guy that loves his wife and kids. I envy you bro..

[hoovesupsideyourhead]

love dem ponys..like gpk..

[Gander]

I mean when a person thinks of you, do they immediately think of horse racing too? Some of my jerk off normal friends do. They, along with many others out there associate horse racing with gambling first and foremost. Cant really blame them as gambling does drive this sport unlike baseball or football, which is driven by fans simply buying tickets and jerseys.

It bothers me, yes. I had this guy come up to me who I hadnt seen since high school the day Giacomo won the Derby last year. It was at simulcast and the first thing he said to me was "Hey Tim, how are you man. You still betting horses", all with a cheesy drunken condescending tone. I was having a very bad day and I looked at him (his wife standing with him) and said, "Good Sean, how are you? You still selling drugs"? He got very mad and he and his 140 6-1 scrawny frame got in my face and the last thing I did was backdown. I was ready to deck the guy and I am not a violent person. He later apologized to me.

I think horse racing gets a very bad rap because of the gambling associated with it.