Do Horseplayers have Mid-Life Crisies - Horse Racing Forum - PaceAdvantage.Com

pktruckdriver · 07-13-2010, 07:16 AM

At 47 (this week) , I think that is about halve way if I get things in order health wise, and now for the first time ever I have a health plan that will help me and I visit a Doctor that will be my very own personal Doc, better known as my Primary Doc , I guess, but hey it is a step in the right direction, and on July 22nd I get my first ever complete Physical, I hope ( first visit could be all paperwork I'm told ), and on Sept 20th , I get the full Cancer Screening, this ones scares me a little, but not doing it is just as stupid.

But on to the subject at hand, as now Mid-Life Guys most having 20 some years to play the horses, most recreationally, do you ever have second thoughts or wish you could do this or that, pertaining to the Horses?

Most you are successful and can take the time to try this or that, have any of you done so, or just took the plunge and become more active in Horse Playing now. Maybe it is just me and my passion to win and be involved in the industry somehow, so I am asking am I the only one with this crazy Idea?

If you have , how? If not how come, I know the answer I think, reality, as no one really ever wins at the horses, except THEM, not us, and of course "The Whales", we all know they win. But maybe you became some how associated in the industry, and now have a job or career you much more enjoy, we all know that that is my wish, to become somehow more involved and possibly employed by the industry and pursuing my life long passion, gotta run before I am really done here , but will post this anyway...

Patrick

Pell Mell · 07-13-2010, 08:41 AM

Halfway? I will say your optimistic.

Robert Goren · 07-13-2010, 11:07 AM

People who become successful in one field of endeavor often change jobs. There are cases of highly successful poker players giving it up entirely and going back to school to become whatever. The grinders never understand it. I got out the liquor business at age 39 and kind of fell into the parking business. It was great move for me. Now since my health turned bad a few years ago, my life has changed again. I am limited in a lot of ways, but I am also freer in a lot ways. Gambling has never been more than sideline/hobby to me. As forms of gambling go, I think horse racing maybe one of the toughest ways to make a living. Not that there are any easy ways to make a living gambling.

Valuist · 07-14-2010, 12:11 AM

PT-

I'm 47 like you but I figure the second half kickoff was awhile ago. And betting horses won't help that, although it is supposed to help fight off Alzheimers.

JustRalph · 07-14-2010, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pell Mell

Halfway? I will say your optimistic.

Bettowin · 07-14-2010, 01:51 AM

I will be 47 in less than two weeks and if you started counting at 20 then halfway is a reality if you get it together

Been playing the horses since I was 19 and the only thing that changes is the size of the bankroll. I am going on 27 years with the same company and just sold a business we ran for 8 years on nights and weekends. No debt, nice house, money in the bank and I do think about how "fun" it would be to bet horses for a living.

Then I realize there is no way in hell I could come close to supporting myself playing horses and give that idea up

PS - On the mid-life crisis question. Horseplayers or not, I think most men don't think about playing the ponies full time but instead think about hot young blondes and fast cars. Maybe not in that order

Pell Mell · 07-14-2010, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bettowin

I will be 47 in less than two weeks and if you started counting at 20 then halfway is a reality if you get it together

Been playing the horses since I was 19 and the only thing that changes is the size of the bankroll. I am going on 27 years with the same company and just sold a business we ran for 8 years on nights and weekends. No debt, nice house, money in the bank and I do think about how "fun" it would be to bet horses for a living.

Then I realize there is no way in hell I could come close to supporting myself playing horses and give that idea up

PS - On the mid-life crisis question. Horseplayers or not, I think most men don't think about playing the ponies full time but instead think about hot young blondes and fast cars. Maybe not in that order

Fast cars, fast women and slow horses will do anyone in!

BlueShoe · 07-15-2010, 01:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Valuist

I'm 47 like you but I figure the second half kickoff was awhile ago.

The second half just started? To continue on the football analogy, as we all drive down the field until we put points on that Big Scoreboard in the Sky, would say that you are getting close to being within field goal range. Now take me. I am deep within the red zone and the opposition just went into its goal line defense.

castaway01 · 07-23-2010, 03:47 PM

I remember a few years back when I was at Philly Park three days a week, the guys there were talking about their life experiences. One guy comes up and says, "I'm 85, and..." He's quickly trumped by another older gentleman, who enters the conversation and says, "Well I'm 88, and..." Then another guy walks up, and I figured he was about 75 or so, and he jumps in, "Well I'm 93, and..." So, apparently for horseplayers, 45 is about mid-life.

Robert Goren · 07-23-2010, 05:52 PM

As far as living horse players go, 47 is young, really young. If I didn't know better I would swear that they wouldn't let you on track til you were 40.

Tom · 07-23-2010, 08:00 PM

At 59, I find life to be much easier that it used to be.
I used to spend $50 a night at the bars, trying to catch a buzz.
Nowadays, all I have to do is stand up fast.

GaryG · 07-23-2010, 08:07 PM

My 2nd half kickoff was sometime back. I have cut back in the last year and currently am just playing Mth plus anything else that catches my eye. I know this: If I was a young man I would see the handwriting on the wall and not spend any time learning how to pick horses.

proximity · 07-25-2010, 08:34 PM

i'd say that most horseplayers have not just mid, but early and late life crises as well. hell, i was having one as i was reading your post.

beyond betting if you want to be involved in the industry you could attend the university of arizona's racetrack industry program and get a degree, buy a horse or two, or simply seek employment at the track or backstretch.

for the most part, i really enjoy handicapping, racing, and whole experience of going to the track. but i try to have some balance in my life as well. of course i don't always succeed.

good luck!!

Robert Goren · 07-25-2010, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom

At 59, I find life to be much easier that it used to be.
I used to spend $50 a night at the bars, trying to catch a buzz.
Nowadays, all I have to do is stand up fast.

Gee, me too, but I have been scared to tell anyone.

BlueShoe · 07-26-2010, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Valuist

And betting horses won't help that, although it is supposed to help fight off Alzheimers.

Am absolutely convinced that this is true, and that playing the horses adds years to a mans life. At the track and otb sites I see old guys pushing 90 that are still sharp mentally. Just look at the mental activity that a serious day with the horses requires. Hours of handicapping, constant decision making during the day, betting calculations, and so on. Your mind is like a computer that is making thousands of calculations and decisions and that is never dormant while you are in action. Imo the mental activity required for a day with the horses makes working a crossword puzzle or playing chess look simple.