Kentucky Derby time...
No practical way to place a bet here, the Kentucky Derby is still watched. The whole event as depicted on television seems a bit anachronistic, more than traditional, as in people pretending to be who they are supposed to be.
The race itself remains an exciting event. There is simply a dedicated horse crowd, for whom this is the be all and end all of their year. Is there any difference in other sports?
In 1973 I was there in an uncrowded infield to watch Secretariat win in breathtaking fashion, my friends from Chicago watching for just a few amazing seconds away on the rail. In other Louisville days I attended a few times each year, thinking that I had learned a bit of system for betting. I had not. In New York days, Belmont was a 30 minute drive away, and interest continued. Success with "my system" was occasional, but more often not. Still, being at the track was almost always a pleasant day.
In 1984, Louisville friends invited us join them in their family's Derby box seats. That was an honor of sorts to Kathy and me as well as a treat, but any system that was in my find turned out to be combustible. Not a win, place, or show in the six races that we attended. Still and not put off, regular attendance at Belmont one or two times a year continued into mid-aughts.
No favorite here now, though in the mud it is almost certain that one or two long odds horses will be in contention, and one may win.
Postscript: don't know what others are saying or writing, but in hindsight Justify was an exceptional three to one pick, almost a gift to those in the know. That does not remotely include me. Next up, the Preakness.
The race itself remains an exciting event. There is simply a dedicated horse crowd, for whom this is the be all and end all of their year. Is there any difference in other sports?
In 1973 I was there in an uncrowded infield to watch Secretariat win in breathtaking fashion, my friends from Chicago watching for just a few amazing seconds away on the rail. In other Louisville days I attended a few times each year, thinking that I had learned a bit of system for betting. I had not. In New York days, Belmont was a 30 minute drive away, and interest continued. Success with "my system" was occasional, but more often not. Still, being at the track was almost always a pleasant day.
In 1984, Louisville friends invited us join them in their family's Derby box seats. That was an honor of sorts to Kathy and me as well as a treat, but any system that was in my find turned out to be combustible. Not a win, place, or show in the six races that we attended. Still and not put off, regular attendance at Belmont one or two times a year continued into mid-aughts.
No favorite here now, though in the mud it is almost certain that one or two long odds horses will be in contention, and one may win.
Postscript: don't know what others are saying or writing, but in hindsight Justify was an exceptional three to one pick, almost a gift to those in the know. That does not remotely include me. Next up, the Preakness.
posted by John Borden at 5:59 PM
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