I made several posts over the last few days about my freshly rekindled interest in horse racing. Until last week, it had been 15 years since I’d been to a track during the live racing season; the last time, our good friends Dale and Kathy spent a couple of days with us; they were on a Search for America Tour of their own. We all went to Pimlico; MLB cashed about $400.00 worth of tickets that day. As I recall, Dale, Kathy and I enjoyed the great crabcake sandwiches, a few libations, and each other’s company; we also gave thanks for our day jobs, our handicapping being our greatest handicap, falling far short of being remotely capable of supporting us in the lifestyle to which we’d have loved to become accustomed. But, as the old saw goes, a good time was had by all.
Dale and Kathy went back to Augusta; MLB and I settled into the rut of day-to-day life, and time just rolled on. We still liked the ponies, and watching the Triple Crown coverage on teevee scratched the racing itch.
My early interest in computers was partially fueled by my interest in compiling and analyzing racing data1. When we lived in the same small town in Northwest Kansas in the early 80′s, Dale and I were both sure that given the proper tools, proper analysis of the data, and astute money management, we could live relatively unencumbered lives, on our own terms, and still provide for our families.
28 years bring many changes; the TRS-80 of byegone times has given way to computing and storage power unheard of in the 80′s; the internet has brought the Daily Racing Form from dead tree media, into a fully customizable racing tool.
Sadly, Dale passed away about 6 years ago. I think of him often, and wish he were still here to enjoy the techno-marvels of race handicapping. It may still boil down to Bet on the gray horse, but we’d have had a blast.
So, on a lazy, cold Sunday afternoon, I’ve been trolling the internet for racing tips, tricks, and tools. I think I’ll sign up with Daily Racing Form on some type of low-cost plan, follow one track or so, and play on paper, like we used to do, update results, and get some good data.
Then, in a total non-shocker, I found online horse wagering sites. Once the system looks good, I’ll back it with a few bucks at one of these online places, and see how it goes. Even if the system winds up being Bet the gray horse, with every ticket cash, whether on paper or for real, I’ll raise a glass and toast my friend Dale.
-k-
1
I used to peruse those racing forms that Dad (or you, perhaps) had made up. I don’t recall the details that good, I seem to remember green paper and Dad having a sense of wistfulness whenever he talked about it.
And, for your information, Dave and I always believed that the two of you could have managed it quite well. That unattained dream actually influences many of Dave and my decisions about poker. We, though me more than Dave, would rather regret trying it than not. We’ve seen the void that it leaves when you don’t.
James:
Those green paper forms were our backup plan; your Dad and I figured that if we couldn’t make it at the betting windows, we could print up some forms, have computer generated picks and some advertising on them, and also provide a handy score sheet for the race fans to track their progress on race day. We thought we could get 2 or 3 bucks each for them; your Dad did a wonderful design job, making space to do all the aforementioned things on a tri-fold, slim form, that would fit easily in a pocket.
Nancy designed us a logo, and we had some prototypes printed up. They were on green paper, doubtless the ones you remember.
I guess the worst that could have happened, had we really pursued it, is that we’d have wound up back at our menial jobs that we had anyhow.
-k-