While I never bet a horse because of a name, my two kids ages 8 & 11 have (what else would they do). This happened last Monday while we were on vacation in Kentucky, and we stopped in Louisville. After visiting the Kentucky Derby museum, we went to Churchill Down's clubhouse for lunch. While eating, I told each of them I would bet $2 to win on a horse at Saratoga, but they had to pay me back the $2 if they won. I didn't explain the odds or anything. I just read them names of the horses running. My 8 year old won the 3rd race (Featherbed) which paid $5.90, and my 11 year old then won the 4th race (Zee Zee) which paid $5.40. Not a big payoff, but the look and smile on their face after their horse won was priceless. After tossing in the 10 and 60 cents to make the payoff an even 6 bucks, they were each up $2 going into the 5th race. I said they could bet, or they could walk out a winner with $2 in their pocket. Each chose the cash.
As we were driving back home to Michigan, we went by Turfway Park. When I told the kids that, they asked if we could stop to place a bet. My wife gave me one of those looks, and said look what have started. I got out of it by saying there is no racing there right now, or tv's to watch racing.
If you are ever at Churchill, you must get a Derby dog. It's a 1/2 pound hot dog with chili, cheese, onion, relish, tomatoes, and jalapeno peppers. It only cost $5, and boy was it good.
|