Today is Memorial Day; we should all give thanks to the many who protected, served, and gave their dedication. – A day we should all give thanks.

From a gamblers point can you name days that had you giving thanks for luck at the windows? – Every holiday was a working day at the track, and even many tracks no longer have the holiday cards on the program these days. As time creeps along, things do change.  But I find myself looking back and ing fondly of a few for this horse player.

I am grateful for the family times under the big Oak tree at River Downs with a picnic for our crew and blankets spread wide to hold down our location for the day. Kids played while dad and grandpa bet the races as the ladies kept the food coming. What I wouldn’t give for another day under that tree.

We made every opening day in the late spring at River Downs, and closing day marked the end of summer. You could always tell the date by what stake was running, especially on Labor Day when the marquee races showcased the end of summer.

My first time at 16-years-old my dad let me take the car and head up to the races on Labor Day as he had to work. I finally felt like one of the guys.

When I made my first trek to Lexington for a day of races at Keeneland. – Now, this was a coming-of-age thing as getting to make the trip at 17-years was a treat. I wheeled Earlie Fires on a 10-1 shot in Daily Doubles who was on top by a dozen rounding for home. There was no announcer, and the site lines were blocked by enormous crowds.  When Fires ed the finish line winning by a 1/2, I felt like I was only horseplayer on the planet. The DD paid over $200 bucks!

I was never so happy when my biggest bet at the time was a $50 exacta box and $100 to win. I was at Keeneland, and the crowd was so packed we made our bet on the feature and listened on the radio. When Forty Niner and Risen Star hit the wire together and Mike Battaglia was calling for the radio as there was no track announcer, he couldn’t call the winner. Mike always liked the favorite on big stakes as they had some promise on making an appearance at CD on Derby Day. – It was when he said it again and started talking about being a 1/16th of a mile from the finish it was tough to call. – I looked at my brother and told him Risen Star got him on a head bob. – While they were giving results of the early races the biggest crowd cheer rattled the car. – Risen Star nailed on the wire! – Big time hit for my brother Don and me!

I was trying my hand at betting for a living. It started rough, got better, then even better. The day I wagered $1,750 to place on a turf runner at Belmont was sweet. I was studying, taking notes and watching replays. I would only make 2-3 bets per week. I could only play New York, Arlington, or Kentucky as the pools were too small everywhere else. – When he won and paid $20 to win and $7.60 for my place ticket. The day could not have been better! – $6,650 on my first target wager.

I qualified August 21, 2004, on my very first NHC handicapping contest for Las Vegas. Top prize was $10,000 and I came in first and fourth. – That made for a short ride home that day for sure! – My first NHC trip to Las Vegas.

Every job I’ve had in racing! – Turfway Park – Parking lot supervisor, Racebook Manager, Player Development Manager, Radio and TV host. River Downs – Parking lot collector, and came back to be Director of Marketing, Radio Host with John Engelhardt, and forever one of the “Regular Guys.” – Keeneland – ADW Coordinator. – Belterra Park Track Announcer and morning line odds maker and this is my 11th year!

I am thankful for every trip to RD, Latonia Harness, Lebanon Harness, Beulah Park, and on to Keeneland and Turfway with my best friend and racing partner, my dad.

 

Everday my car pulls into the parking lot for work at Belterra Park and Turfway Park in the winter. Things could never be better!

 

For being thankful to those who served and protected us, thank you for your service. – The part of being thankful as a horse player is just an extension of my attitude of gratitude. I wish everyone a safe and Happy Memorial Day, and if you’re a horse player I know you relish your time heading to the windows.