Archives for April 2010

When going to the track there are several ways to approach the day. If you’re fortunate to have seats in the clubhouse, some places require dress wear also known as business casual. Dress pants with a collared shirt is the usual attire.

However there are some tracks like Keeneland for example that still require a sport coat and tie in the upstairs clubhouse. Sometimes it just feels good to bet amongst the big boys and the wanna be big boys.

But a day at the races can also be a long afternoon in the hot sun, when you just want to be with the common folk in the grandstand, down on the rail or around the paddock area.

If that’s the case the items shown above is a good start. Cool shirt, shorts, stylin’ weave brimmed hat, comfortable sneakers or sandals, a couple of pens, a pack for refreshments if allowed and fat cigar just in case you hit the big one or you just want to look like you did.

Whatever the case, get there early so you can get ahead of the races. It’s better to be a couple of races ahead when picking your winners, you never know when you might get sidetracked and run the risk of getting shut out. You’ll soon notice that you actually hit a very high percentage of bets that, for some unknown reason, don’t get bet.

Take it all in while you’re there, watch the horses in the paddock, hang out near the noisy bar area for a while, watch a few from the rail to get the feel of the sport, visit the winner’s circle, watch the people and cash some tickets! You’ll have a great time even if you do lose a couple dollars.

Cashing in your ticket is almost as much fun as that split second when your calculated choice crosses the finish line by 3 lengths…. not as much adrenaline but lots of confidence and self assurance. And all that only lasts until you pick up the racing form to figure out the next race.

When betting there are some important rules:

1) Keep it simple. Bet only what you know and only what you can remember. I’ve seen bettors bet the wrong race, wrong track or wrong numbers because their bets are too complicated.

2) Don’t place too many bets on the same race. If you do then you end up betting against yourself or your winnings won’t cover your bets.

3) Bet that type of bet you are comfortable with and how much you are comfortable with losing. If you are a WIN bettor stick with it, if you bet PLACE or SHOW then that’s your bet. If you like trifectas and supers….. get ready to take out a second mortgage. They are hard to fund and hard to hit.

4) Never change your bet once you circle it in the program. You’ll usually regret it.

5) Watch for OMEN bets. This may sound silly or illogical but just be aware how often this works. If there’s a horse with your wife or girl friend’s name or one of your kids names or parents name…. you got to go for it! Sometimes it’s just a name that stands out…. like “Hold The Beans” or “Badda Bing”.

6) If you are walking back to your seat and realize that you placed the wrong bet always put that ticket in your pocket and go back and place another bet the right way. I’ve heard too many people make the wrong bet and win a big one.

7) After you place your bet count your change before leaving the window. Some cashiers will count money back to you in a slow and choppy method and if you are in a hurry to get back to your seat you just may leave them an unexpected tip. Also check your ticket numbers before leaving too.

8) Have a budget, only bet what you can afford to lose, bet less when you are on a loosing streak, bet more when you are betting with the track’s money and don’t bet too many tracks at once….. you spent your money you should enjoy the race.

9) Be serious but have fun.

10) And finally, know your horse’s name…. they are much more than just a number.

“There is a fine line between winning and losing…… The Finish Line!!” That line comes from one of the funniest movies about horse racing ever made, “Let it Ride”.

The finish line is the focal point in a race. It is the official end of the event’s competitive flow. However, the event has life after this point with cheering or cussing or disbelief or question or confusion or etc. etc.

Pictured here is a extremely rare three way dead heat which was captured by the finish line camera at the end of the 6th race on June 10th of 1944 at Aqueduct Race Track.

Since racing by nature is about speed, two or more participants reach the finish line at the same time on many occasions.

In 1932, at the Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, California uniform automatic timing and the photo-finish camera were used for the first time. And it was a matter of years before the technology made it’s way into the sport of thoroughbred racing. What the human eye only thought it saw, the finish line camera could prove without question or conflict.

When two or more horses hit the wire (the finish line) at the same time they all share in that position no matter what that position is. Today the camera is digital and the results are viewed instantaneously which is a far cry from the nail biting, brow sweating, nerve wrenching 15-20 minutes of eternity of yesteryear.

The home stretch begins at the end of the far turn and comprises the last eighth to quarter mile of the race. It is important that the jockey has his horse in position for this final leg of the race. The inside of the track will save ground and cut out a fraction of the distance but it is often the slower part of the track. Many jockeys prefer to swing to the outside after the turn and head down the middle of the track.

The perception is that some horses are picking up speed toward the finish line. The reality is that some horses are slowing down and running out of energy which makes the others look like they are going faster.

This is also the time that the jockey will use the whip to urge the horse. Sometimes the jockey will just show the horse the whip and it will react but most cases a few taps on the horse’s hind quarters will let the animal know that the finish line is near. Some jockeys also use the whip to deter other horses who are coming up from behind. As they approach, a few waves of the whip in the face of the oncoming horse tends to startle and confuse the animal. Rules state that the whip should be used on the opposite side of an oncoming horse, but when that jockey switches hands is a judgment call.

The home stretch is the most exciting part of a horse race. The horses are in full stride, the jockeys are guiding them through the traffic, trainer’s and owner’s hearts are on overload and the fans are going crazy. One of the most famous sentences in horse racing was originated by the late Dave Johnson, announcer for the New York Racing Association, and used by many track announcers today. “And DOWN the stretch they come!!”, will always remain a part of horse racing.