jballscalls
07-24-2009, 02:02 PM
I'm really excited to go to Emerald Downs tonight as they have been nice enough to name tonight's 6th race in my fathers honor, The Mark Beem Memorial Purse. 8 years ago today he passed away from Melanoma cancer and while time does heal all wounds, those wounds still leave a scar.
Today I think about my dad, and how he introduced me to this great sport. How took me out every sunday to Longacres. My mom would give me $20 bucks each week so i could bet $2 a race. My dad would take the $20 and would keep track of my bets because certainly at age 7, 8, or even 12 couldnt go bet. I found out once when i hit a big longshot, i asked for my money and he said "i'll get it you on wednesday" that he had just always booked my action and pocketed the $20. :) He took me to the backstretch and let me sit on a horse with a whip and helmet on because being a jockey was always my dream. After the races, i'd ride my bike around the neighborhood whipping it like a horse and recalling the races Gary Henson had called earlier that day. My dad would just shake his head at his horse racing crazy kid.
I know so many of us here on this board and in racing in general were introduced to the sport because of our fathers, or our mothers or other relatives. It's days like today that i'm reminded how special this game is to me, to all of us, and how so many of my best memories are at the track, with friends, family, and my dad.
Sometimes i'd give everything up, just to spend one more day, sitting on dad's shoulders, peering over the rail at Longacres, and watching the great game.
Today I think about my dad, and how he introduced me to this great sport. How took me out every sunday to Longacres. My mom would give me $20 bucks each week so i could bet $2 a race. My dad would take the $20 and would keep track of my bets because certainly at age 7, 8, or even 12 couldnt go bet. I found out once when i hit a big longshot, i asked for my money and he said "i'll get it you on wednesday" that he had just always booked my action and pocketed the $20. :) He took me to the backstretch and let me sit on a horse with a whip and helmet on because being a jockey was always my dream. After the races, i'd ride my bike around the neighborhood whipping it like a horse and recalling the races Gary Henson had called earlier that day. My dad would just shake his head at his horse racing crazy kid.
I know so many of us here on this board and in racing in general were introduced to the sport because of our fathers, or our mothers or other relatives. It's days like today that i'm reminded how special this game is to me, to all of us, and how so many of my best memories are at the track, with friends, family, and my dad.
Sometimes i'd give everything up, just to spend one more day, sitting on dad's shoulders, peering over the rail at Longacres, and watching the great game.