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Handicapping the ponies is a tough racket but it seems wildly entertaining if you let yourself get into it, so a chance to spend three days trying to do just that with the likes of grizzled veterans bearing nicknames like Billy the Hat, Andy the Greek and Super Johnny Supers couldn’t be passed up. Plus, there’s a part of me that has always wanted to be a degenerate gambler. Here was my chance to take my quest to a new level.
You kind of need a remarkable mind to do it right. It’s a completely different language to read and understand. Part of it is like being in a classroom. Except it’s outside and you have a cooler that fits 101 beers.
The process starts early, and of course, involves omelets and coffee. Then you head to the track ($3 admission), stake your claim to a table of your liking (a cooler, a couple of papers and a plastic tablecloth will do the trick), and retreat back to the hotel, in this case, the luxurious Robin Hood Motel,
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It’s a nice hat if you’re going on safari.
If you knew where I was, I would have moved already.
Unless she’s got four legs, I don’t wanna look at her right now.
He’s got champagne taste and a root beer budget.
If I get any smarter, you have my permission to cut me in half and make two of me.
We were near the paddock for the first two days, where the general gambling audience can get one last look before the race starts.
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Time for a new strategy. But first, steaks.
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After, while others made preparations for Vodka Night (no photos available), I had a hankering for some beer, so me and Johnny Slips hightailed it past a bunch of lawn jockeys in town and made our way to the Olde Saratoga Brewery, where the indomitable Stevie Z. does his thing.
7 comments:
Owen, I think i love you. And those one-liners are priceless!
I love that race track amnesia. It happens to me every time.
Thanks for blogging, Owen!
Beth
Oh, those ponies are evil beasts. We are in the midst of Del Mar glory here in SD, it is such a beautiful, fun track. I love that you are so easily encouraged to get loaded. I never need much convincing. On my last day, the only race I won brought in a whopping $1.20. I can't tell you how much I spent, because that money simply does not exist in my mind. We're going back in a at least once more this season, I've got big plans to hook up with my boyfriend Ziggy (sorry beth).
thanks for blogging, Owen!
Jacquie
Thanks for chiming in, Owen. You rock. If only we had a glimpse of you amidst those photos of the reprobates.
The indomitable reprobates.
Ellie
Nice blog Owen! If you're like me, you pick the winning horse, but don't actually wind up winning any money on it, because you forgot to bet...
That was great, Owen!!! Makes me want to go to the track and not bet on anything but how many beers it will take to get me drunk ;)
Great blog-I especially love the one about being so smart, you have my permission to split me in half. Priceless!
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