How did you get into racing?

[repent]

Originally Posted by Sightseek

Give The Tin Man a good pat and I wish him luck in the BC!

I hope he gets lapped by the field.

Repent

[repent]

Originally Posted by 31lengths

Funny Cide.

you know,
Ive never been a fan of Funny Cide.
but there is one very interesting aspect to the Funny Cide story.
if he had NOT been gelded and they retired him after the Belmont Stakes,
he would be viewed on equal terms with smarty jones from a historical perspective.

everyone wants to think of Funny Cide as a bad KY Derby and Preakness winner, but the truth is that he was just a good 3YO who peaked at the right time and then got old real quick.
nothing at all to be ashamed of.
same thing would have happened to smarty jones if they had not saved his as* and retired him.



Repent

[GPK]

Originally Posted by GPK

My very first experience with horses cam through my uncle. He is known throughout the States as a famous trainer of Tennessee Walking Horses. Traveled with him a few different times, the biggest one being "Celebration" in Tennessee. I used to marvel at the size of some of those horses. His wife had one of her own...never will forget him...biggest freaking horse I ever laid eyes one. His name was MASTER MINDER and he was jet black. What a beautiful specimen he was.

My actual first experience with racing came when I was dating a girl that lived in Lexington and when I went to visit her one time, she said..."Let's go to Keeneland!!" Of course I had zero clue as to what the place was or the history behind it, etc... So, she takes me to Keenland and boy was it beautiful, but it was not during the spring or fall meet. I asked her where everyone was and how in the world could someone sit around all day, watching horses run on a tv and betting on them. I told her those people had to be some kind of bored with no life whatsoever....

NOW....I don't know how I COULD NOT sit around and watch horses race on TV and bet on them. Horse racing has simply become my passion. 2 Years ago, if someone had placed a DRF in front of me and asked me to handicap a race....I would have just laughed. I had ZERO idea how to read a form. Some will still say that I have no idea how to read a form....but I think I do okay

[Sightseek]

Originally Posted by Downthestretch55

I've been around horses since I was a kid.
My first time at a track was back in the '80s..Meadowlands trotters.
Then Toga with my sons many times.
When my mother had a teminal illness in her old age, I tended to her needs.
To pass the time, I'd put her telivision on to the Derby preps, then the TC races. Talk about a "red boarder"!!! I'd pick one before the race. After they crossed the line, she'd say, "that was the one I liked in the post parade!"
Bless her heart. Those races gave her something to forget the pain for a little while.
After she passed on, I got a call from a friend. I had gone to the Belmont with her and her husband, the Real Quiet /Victory Gallop one. My friend had an in with the Jim Jerkens barn, and they ran the 3rd place finisher, Thomas John. Anyway, she asked me if I was interested in buying a race horse.
Seems the gentleman that owned him had gotten very far behind in his "barn bill". So, to make a long story short, I bought the colt and his dam with some money that my mother left to me. That was eight horses ago.
Still love them, still a thrill.
Race on!

What a sad and nice story.

[mclem10011]

In racing peaked about 3 1/2 years or so ago. Of course I knew or had seen a race or two before, but flipping channels stumbled upon HRTV. My eyes lit up with dollar signs, at some of the incredible payouts. Still, I had no idea of how to go about making a bet. Later on, I had found the local dog track, and went on Kentucky Derby day, and actually got a win on the first bet I ever placed. Naturally, that day a huge longshot like 44-1 or so won the derby, that was the horse I didn't have a bet in on, so I had things to learn. Moving ahead, I had switched dish companies, and was watching TVG, and I also opened an Xpressbet account. Then I was off and running, too much my now wife would say lol. I know people can't stand TVG, and they are more awkward glitz then racing info at times, but I did begin to learn more about the sport. Like all players, I want to take down scores, and make coin, don't we all right lol? However, I have come to enjoy racing, as an exciting and entertaining sport. My respect for the athletes (equine and human) is immense, and the trainers aren't slouches either. I know you guys are thinking, shut up already lol? I will, but that is how I got started, and where I'm at now, still learning alot each day.

[hoovesupsideyourhead]

Originally Posted by mclem10011

In racing peaked about 3 1/2 years or so ago. Of course I knew or had seen a race or two before, but flipping channels stumbled upon HRTV. My eyes lit up with dollar signs, at some of the incredible payouts. Still, I had no idea of how to go about making a bet. Later on, I had found the local dog track, and went on Kentucky Derby day, and actually got a win on the first bet I ever placed. Naturally, that day a huge longshot like 44-1 or so won the derby, that was the horse I didn't have a bet in on, so I had things to learn. Moving ahead, I had switched dish companies, and was watching TVG, and I also opened an Xpressbet account. Then I was off and running, too much my now wife would say lol. I know people can't stand TVG, and they are more awkward glitz then racing info at times, but I did begin to learn more about the sport. Like all players, I want to take down scores, and make coin, don't we all right lol? However, I have come to enjoy racing, as an exciting and entertaining sport. My respect for the athletes (equine and human) is immense, and the trainers aren't slouches either. I know you guys are thinking, shut up already lol? I will, but that is how I got started, and where I'm at now, still learning alot each day.

great post.....

[AeWingnut]

The first time I went was with my uncle Charlie I was hooked. I guess it's in the blood. His uncle owned horses until his ex-wife gave the 2nd set of books to the IRS.

Charlie actually did well enough to make handicapping his full time job. Then one day his horse got taken down and he had to get a real job.

Originally Posted by AeWingnut

The first time I went was with my uncle Charlie I was hooked. I guess it's in the blood. His uncle owned horses until his ex-wife gave the 2nd set of books to the IRS.

Charlie actually did well enough to make handicapping his full time job. Then one day his horse got taken down and he had to get a real job.

Wing baby!!! An old Espn classic in the flesh!!! good to see you my man!!!

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by Kasept

I've never come out and admitted it, but I'm actually the illegitimate son of Charlsie Cantey and Eddie Arcaro...

YIKES!!! lol

i got myself into it....love horses and anything having to do with them. also am very competitive, so horse racing was a natural fit for me. i always wanted to be a jockey, but i suppose i'll have to wait til my next life now.

[Slewbopper]

My first memory is watching the 57 Florida Derby with my mother. General Duke, Bold Ruler, Gallant Man, and Round Table. She was a big fan. Never really got into it much in subsequent years. Went to Aqueduct a couple times in the '70s.

A trip to Saratoga for the '78 Travers changed everything. I just loved the whole aura of the Spa. From 79 to 82 I went to the Spa for the entire meet. Rented a house on the lake for two years and then a place on Jumel with a couple other guys. Then a wife and responsibilities occurred. Haven't missed going to the Spa for at least a couple days every single year since.

[Danzig]

[quote=Slewbopper]My first memory is watching the 57 Florida Derby with my mother. General Duke, Bold Ruler, Gallant Man, and Round Table. She was a big fan. Never really got into it much in subsequent years. Went to Aqueduct a couple times in the '70s.
QUOTE]

lucky you!! the BEST derby field ever.