Does horse racing define you?

#1 06-23-2006, 11:21 AM

I don't bet much on the horses ... because I know that being a bettor is a full-time occupation ... if you don't have the time or desire to follow the races very closely day-after-day ... you shouldn't be betting ... because you'll never beat the 15%-25% take-out.

As the old song said ... I don't know why I love it ... but I do. I've been following thoroughbred racing closely for 49 years ... at least at the G1 level ... ever since Bold Ruler caught my fancy ... and the anticipation of seeing a great racehorse in action still grabs me.

Of course ... I haven't seen a really great horse since 1980 ... but I'm eternally the optimist.

2MinsToPost · #2 06-23-2006, 11:42 AM

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.

paisjpq · #3 06-23-2006, 11:44 AM

Quote:

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 · #4 06-23-2006, 11:50 AM

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 · #5 06-23-2006, 12:15 PM

Quote:

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...

#6 06-23-2006, 12:19 PM

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 · #7 06-23-2006, 12:27 PM

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.

Quote:

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 · #8 06-23-2006, 12:49 PM

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 · #9 06-23-2006, 01:00 PM

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