We’ve seen the ponies again! MLB and I went over to visit friends in Martinsburg WV yesterday. Since Martinsburg is but a stone’s throw from Charles Town, we went to the Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races last night.
Now, Charles Town is no Churchill Downs. By that, I mean that the Downs attracts higher grade horseflesh. Charles Town has live racing throughout practically the entire year, which means lots of locally-bred talent, cheaper claimers, and maiden races galore. Not exactly a handicapper’s1 paradise. Much like Fonner Park in Grand Island, NE, where MLB and I spent many Saturday afternoons with best buds Dale and Kathy, where we2 fancied that we could become sufficiently proficient handicappers that $DAYJOB would fade into oblivion. Whatever the venue, the thrill of spending pissing away investing real money on a horse you’ve picked, after judicious analysis of the Racing Form, is something that always excites me.
So, last night, after blowing some races by just a tad (an exacta bet, wherein my horses ran 2-3, comes to mind), I was down a few bucks. I sat out a few races; the mid-part of the card was simply difficult to pick, unless silk colors and horse’s name are important.
In the 8th, a clear bet emerged; a shipper, running for a relatively large purse, who had won and come close to winning in the past. My analysis said, bet to win. He went off at 5-2, and won wire-to-wire. I bet him to win; cashing the ticket about broke me even on the night. MLB bet him, too, and would have in any event: the name Ryan’s Gold would have been enough analysis for her.
And, man, did we cheer that horse on! I think we even said “Go, Buddy!” a few times.
-k-