jockeys

And Away They Go

Is what the announcer says at the beginning of each horse race at the Del Mar Racetrack.  I first went to the races when I was in my early twenties.  It was an adult activity to do after high school and college.  Horse racing is another world that comes to visit every summer for six weeks.  There is nothing like going to the track on opening day.  It’s usually sunny and warm with a lot of great looking ladies in dresses and hats.  Oh yeah, and then there is the racing.  The first thing you need to do is get yourself a racing form and a pen.  Next, head out to the infield, that’s the center of the track, and set up your lounge chair and cooler.  Once you’re situated, it’s time to pick your winners. 

This is where it gets really confusing.  Which horse do I pick?  To win, place or show?  What about her record?  the jockey’s record?  the trainer’s record?  Did she take lasick?  Has she run on turf before?  It always seems to be one extreme or the other, a little too timid on the betting or a little too aggressive.  I’m a little confused so I’ll start on the timid side.  “Two dollars on number three to win.”  In the infield you can get right up to the finish line and watch the horses thunder across the tape.  Woo hoo, my horse won.  I head over to collect my winnings and get a lousy $2.25 because the odds were 6/5 or some number you just can’t seem to divide after a couple of beers.  Let’s get a little aggressive.  “Ten dollars on number seven to win!”  Yeah, at 60/1 odds, I’m gonna make some cash to pay for this afternoon.  Look, seven is in the lead….now second…now third…she’s way back.

This Saturday I get to have another first 20 years later.  I’m attending a Kentucky Derby party for the first time.  I need to wear southern daytime formal, so I’ve gone out and purchased myself a seersucker suit and a hat.  I will probably have a mint julep even though it sounds gross.  I even hear they’re going to have a betting parlor.  Maybe with all those years of losing at Del Mar my luck will finally change.

Hopefully, I’ll see you at Del Mar on opening day and get my money’s worth out of this seersucker.  Have a great weekend.

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