The names alone easily justify the cost of gambling hard-earned money on them. The ponies, at the Belmont, what more could a junkie ask for? Sacred Light, Oh So Awesome, Bluegrass Cat, Sun River, they're all money baby. In particular I was a Sun River win away from hitting the Pick Four, which would have paid a nice chunk of change.
For those of you who don't know what the Pick Four is, you basically have to pick the winner in four consecutive races. JB Mathers and I hit the first three. Wagering on the ponies is a lot like golf in that you don't have to experience a ton of success to be eager to play more. It's simply too enticing to stay away.
It's everything about the day; the atmosphere, the anticipation, the pre-race war rooms consisting of four dudes with way too much beer factoring into their decision.
But here's what I didn't know before Saturday. I was under the impression that the Belmont Stakes was it, a one-shot deal. Hardly. You've got races going off at Hollywood park, Churchill Downs, and at the Belmont. Your money is good anywhere, which gives you plenty of time to build up your bankroll before the main event.
But be careful, it's scary how easy it is to burn paper. I mean, you walk to the window, tell the lady -- who is muttering “sucker” under her breath -- that you want a particular bet, and bam! your wager is down. You can lose next month's mortgage and be in the market for a divorce lawyer before lunch.
But that's what makes it so intriguing -- nothing ventured, nothing gained. Responsible people aren't permitted.
Now everyone knows that gambling is a slippery slope that can turn ugly in a flash, but if moderation isn't just a theoretical term in your world, it can be the best value for your buck.
Think about it, if you spend 20 bucks to go watch a movie that probably wasn't that good, lets say anything with Keanu Reeves in it, you probably don't feel too cheated. If you take that 20 to the track, you stand to be entertained, and leave with more loot that you showed up with. Brilliant.
Think about all the money we waste. What about that smoke detector you spent good money.
on and then the first time it went off you couldn't wait to rip it out of the ceiling, take the battery out, anything to shut the thing up. Or what about shoes ladies? Drinks at a bar?
Bet the ponies.
I did manage to bang a daily double, which before Saturday I thought was a way to make some quick money on Jeopardy. That got me some of my bills back, but not enough to break me even on the day. But me and the horse gods are even, I had more fun losing than I would winning a lot of things.
I mentioned the anticipation factor. Essentially, you sit around all day waiting for the 10 seconds they're coming down the stretch, but the hours leading up to the race, when you're sitting there thinking about all the toys you're going to buy with your winnings, is what makes it worth your while.
And the atmosphere is electric. Everyone in the room has money on different horses, but in a weird way, you're all on the same team. It's a fundamental rule of gambling; never wish any bad luck upon a fellow junkie, because you'll be in the trenches sooner or later and it gets mighty cold in there alone.
Before a race, you can look around and see racing programs scattered on every table. These guys are logging some serious study time. They strategize, figure out which pony is best suited for the particular track and its conditions. They consider value, they consider longshots, favorites, sleepers. It looks like a group of people preparing for the Bar exam. It's all good.
And when your horse actually survives the first three quarters of the race, and has a shot on the home stretch, you're so invigorated you feel like your screaming and yelling is actually affecting the outcome. Like somehow your encouragement can be felt in New York. It's beautiful.
That's when all the losses, the preparation, the home equity lines of credit pay off -- but just by a nose.
source : times-standard.com
