What's GOOD about horse racing?

[EMD4ME]

Originally Posted by Lemon Drop Husker

This is great stuff.

It all means something different to everybody, but we all do love this game.

For me it is:

1. The pounding of the hooves. I mean, I live for that sound, I love that sound. It feels like home.
2. The atmosphere. Being at the track, outside, breathing it all in. Especially on great race days around the country. You get to meet great and interesting people anywhere you go.
3. The 'Capping. Digging your heels in. Doing the work. The process. It is an intellectual man's game. Absolutely no doubt about it.
4. The horses themselves. Beautiful animals. Built to run. I don't know a more beautiful animal on the planet (course I could be prejudiced).
5. Winning. There simply isn't a greater high than putting in the effort, and watching that effort roll home at 10/1 or more with solid to serious money on the line, and especially in a big race.

I can NEVER understand the thrill of mind numbingly punching the same button over and over in hopes of some bars, 777's, or fish to align.

I agree pal

[Lemon Drop Husker]

Originally Posted by EMD4ME

I can NEVER understand the thrill of mind numbingly punching the same button over and over in hopes of some bars, 777's, or fish to align.

I agree pal

Yeah, you know we are on the same page.

Mental acuity. This is greatness for us. It challenges our mind. We can see the in's and out's of almost any race ran in the entire land. The numbers, the talent, the imagination it takes.

We just need time to figure it all out.

[EMD4ME]

Originally Posted by Lemon Drop Husker

Yeah, you know we are on the same page.

Mental acuity. This is greatness for us. It challenges our mind. We can see the in's and out's of almost any race ran in the entire land. The numbers, the talent, the imagination it takes.

We just need time to figure it all out.

I'm studying for Monday now and feel like I'm running out of time !!!

[Benni]

This is such a great thread with fantastic responses.

EMD4ME - #2 I love animals, etc.,
#4 Bonding - yes with my daughter
#5 Memories, being with my daughter standing at the rail watching Tiznow fly by to “win it for America” all I can say is that has to be my best memory shared live with my daughter. That entire trip was intensely wonderful, for so many different reasons.

Lemon Drop Husker - #1 pounding hooves, brought me right back to when I was 16, just got my driver’s license, and would get up early to go see the workouts at Del Mar. Some mornings it was foggy, with the scent of salt in the air, and standing at the rail hearing those thundering hooves coming at me, anticipating seeing the horses break out from the fog. It was so beautiful.
#2 love the atmosphere, watching and listening to the people around me as they talk about who they like and why and then listening to them cheer their horses on.
#4 Absolutely, the horses. To watch their fluid grace, their power, their talent and heart, there is practically nothing better.

[thespaah]

Originally Posted by Grits

What an incredible thought, Ron Tiller!!! Thank you.

I continue to meet people, when I'm in New York, where I attended the races, that are great folks who still find horses to be incredible creatures, and this sport, still, greater than any other.

I'll tell you guys a story. I was in Charlestown, WV for Breeders' Cup. My friend with me--likes casinos. (Lord, help her.) After the races, she wanted me to go with her to the slots, as she'd been with me while betting the races for the two days. I've never seen so many people under one roof sitting in front of slot machines. Thousands of folks. Unbelievable, mindlessness.

I sat down at a machine, having no clue, how to play it. I learned "you just put money in and mash the button....over, and over, and over. For hours.

A young man beside me, (the target audience of fans you all say we need) excitedly announced, "I'm up $121.00".

I said to him, "how long have you been at your slot machine?"

"'Bout 5 hours", he announced happily. (I was speechless..then)

"Have you ever bet horse races? They run here, you know," I asked.

"No, I like slots. Do you bet on the horses? Do you win?"

"Yes, I do bet on horseracing. This weekend two horses that I bet to win paid over $25. I bet $50 on each horse getting back over $625 on each one. In about three minutes on just two races I paid for the weekend's food, hotel, etc with other money to take home. A good Breeders' Cup."

You've been sitting here for 5 hours and you're up $121. bucks? No, I don't like slots. There's a good reason I don't and you shouldn't either", I laughed while telling him.

"DAMN," he said, flabbergasted.... He went back to his machine. Clueless, he'll lose his $121 back, no doubt.

I lost $10 on the machine. And left. Merry Christmas, gentlemen.

Merry Christmas GRITS!!!!

[thespaah]

Originally Posted by AskinHaskin

Significant simulcasting was happening in the late 1980's, and the occasional race was simulcast as far back as in 1981.

Some even reference NYCOTB's beginning back in 1971 along the same lines.

Simulcasting in NJ got going in earnest in the late 80's.
But, the bulk of off track betting was done in the afternoon and on dark days.

[thespaah]

Originally Posted by EMD4ME

I wish I could have the time to visit those fair tracks line Prineville and Grants Pass. Always see them in the charts but never know what to visualize. I've Youtubed some of them and found 1 or 2 but not as many as I would like.

Shucks, I'm still ticked off I wasn't alive for Bowie Or Shenandoah downs.

Great post TC!

I was into racing when Bowie and Narangansett Park were still open. But those places were perceived as being far off. So I never went to them.
I did have an opportunity to to go to Garden State Park before the fire.
Middle of the week. 15,000 people in attendance.
I was also able to go AC Racecourse when it still had an extended meeting. .

[thespaah]

The pounding of the hooves. Especially on the turf.
The call to post.
The bell on the gate.
The fans yelling as "they head to the top of the stretch".

[Lemon Drop Husker]

Originally Posted by thespaah

The pounding of the hooves. Especially on the turf.
The call to post.
The bell on the gate.
The fans yelling as "they head to the top of the stretch".

[EMD4ME]

Originally Posted by Benni

This is such a great thread with fantastic responses.

EMD4ME - #2 I love animals, etc.,
#4 Bonding - yes with my daughter
#5 Memories, being with my daughter standing at the rail watching Tiznow fly by to “win it for America” all I can say is that has to be my best memory shared live with my daughter. That entire trip was intensely wonderful, for so many different reasons.

Lemon Drop Husker - #1 pounding hooves, brought me right back to when I was 16, just got my driver’s license, and would get up early to go see the workouts at Del Mar. Some mornings it was foggy, with the scent of salt in the air, and standing at the rail hearing those thundering hooves coming at me, anticipating seeing the horses break out from the fog. It was so beautiful.
#2 love the atmosphere, watching and listening to the people around me as they talk about who they like and why and then listening to them cheer their horses on.
#4 Absolutely, the horses. To watch their fluid grace, their power, their talent and heart, there is practically nothing better.

You're voice in your head, the hooves rattling, grandstand shaking, loudest roar you've ever heard and its topped off with Tom Durkins ROAR of : TIZNOW wins it for your dauuuuuta!

[Lemon Drop Husker]

Originally Posted by EMD4ME

You're voice in your head, the hooves rattling, grandstand shaking, loudest roar you've ever heard and its topped off with Tom Durkins ROAR of : TIZNOW wins it for your dauuuuuta!

Tiznow grinding that out over Giant's Causeway. One of the greatest and most underappreciated races in the sport.

Just greatness. Both are now massive Studs to boot.

[cj]

That feeling you have when watching a horse you bet running and you can just tell he is going to win...and then actually does win.

[dilanesp]

1. California Chrome's connections. We got to see a career that was a throwback to the great horses of old times.

2. Mike Smith. His performances in big money races are awesome.

3. Del Mar. A lot of racetracks are poorly run and empty. Del Mar is well run and filled with people having a great time.

4. Technology. We can now bet anywhere, get PP's anywhere, watch replays of races from multiple angles, get trakus data and accurate timing, watch big stakes races from around the country on youtube as soon as they are run, etc. Horseplayers and fans never had so much information.

5. Fundamentally, the sport, at its best moments, still delivers, as it did in the BC Distaff and Classic this year.

[MonmouthParkJoe]

Some on here have mentioning bonding and I will second that.

I have been taking my two girls to the track since they were a couple weeks old. One memory I will never forget is watching the preakness from Monmouth the year Rachel won it. I had a large bet on her, and my oldest was in love with her. She was probably three or four at the time and we both screamed our heads off, followed by a high five. Made it even better seeing her run at the haskell together a couple months later.

[EMD4ME]

Originally Posted by MonmouthParkJoe

Some on here have mentioning bonding and I will second that.

I have been taking my two girls to the track since they were a couple weeks old. One memory I will never forget is watching the preakness from Monmouth the year Rachel won it. I had a large bet on her, and my oldest was in love with her. She was probably three or four at the time and we both screamed our heads off, followed by a high five. Made it even better seeing her run at the haskell together a couple months later.

That is AWESOME