Does horse racing define you?

[randallscott35]

I don't know that define is the word Tim was looking for. Frankly, if you have taken the time to find a horse racing message board and are a regular poster, than you aren't like most horse racing fans. Secondly, there are a group of people at the track who are there simply to gamble, i.e. they would be gambling on dogs or anything else if it was within driving distance. Then there are those who love horse racing and therefore gamble on it.

I can't envision my life without horse racing in it, but it doesn't define me. It takes up more of my time than any other hobby I have by far. But I feel like its quality time if I can make a buck at it....But the fact that Breeders Cup Day is my favorite day of the year times 10 makes it obvious that horse racing is more than a simple vice. Just a great game.

[Thunder Gulch]

It is my principal hobby, but that's what it is. I spend time almost everyday thinking about racing, reading books on the sport, or just trolling over here at Derby Trail. However, I have a family, own a business, and still enjoy other activities such as golf and going to football, basketball, baseball games, etc., so no, it doesn't define me.

Originally Posted by randallscott35

I don't know that define is the word Tim was looking for. Frankly, if you have taken the time to find a horse racing message board and are a regular poster, than you aren't like most horse racing fans. Secondly, there are a group of people at the track who are there simply to gamble, i.e. they would be gambling on dogs or anything else if it was within driving distance. Then there are those who love horse racing and therefore gamble on it.

I can't envision my life without horse racing in it, but it doesn't define me. It takes up more of my time than any other hobby I have by far. But I feel like its quality time if I can make a buck at it....But the fact that Breeders Cup Day is my favorite day of the year times 10 makes it obvious that horse racing is more than a simple vice. Just a great game.

I echo a lot of what Randall said but would add a few things. To "define" someone is a label thats just about impossible to assign without knowledge of another person completely. I'd have to say that anyoen who is defined by one thing in life has a very empty existence.
Life is completely bland when you only care about one thing. This is a horse racing board so thats what we basically speak about. I'm sure that I, like others, reach a point in the day when we have just had enough. Politics, movies, reading, sports, just so many other things hold my interest. Then of course we all have duties or responsibilities in life that we don't choose, they are just there and must be performed. Horse racing is something I have great passion for, but too much of anything will make you sour on it.
I think that many only view racing as a gambling outlet. These are the folks who are constantly bitter about the game and speak a lot of negativity about it. Some of us can watch races or handicap a card as a mental exercise and enjoy it without betting. Some of us really get pumped up watching a great horse like Ghostzapper run just to see him perform. The fact that he is 1-9 is meaningless. There are a lot of races to bet every day but so rarely do you get to see a great animal run.
I think thats what seperates the people here, some with passion for the sport,and some who only view it as gambling.

[Pointg5]

It's my main hobby and interest, I bet mainly on weekends, but even when not betting, I read and try to learn all that I can. I don't golf or have any other expensive hobbies, so I don't feel the least bit guilty betting, I figure if I golfed I probably would spend more money with little return. There's nothing better than picking up a Form on Friday and looking at it all day at work and seeing all of the races and getting excited, putting together tickets. Also, my dad loves horse racing, so it gives him and I something to talk about, so that's pretty cool. Also, my best friend is into racing as much as I am, he's very busy, with 2 kids and a wife, it gives him a release as well. He's taught me a ton, but now that I have more time than him, I keep him up to date on alot of stuff.

[Hickory Hill Hoff]

Well put Mike. It's been 20 years this month that I've been really interested in thoroughbred racing. I don't know why, but the challenge of taking a field of horses and predicting which of them will finish one/two/three got me hooked. I am a "small time" bettor, but just love to handicap the ponies. Could I live without it? Probably, but it's the one thing in my adult years that I'm most proud of. I never went to college, my job isn't the greatest. But, the love I have for this sport will never die! I am person who can remember little details from my past. In horse racing, I can remember those same details too.
Never made a lot of money in the sport, but wouldn't trade the past twenty years for nothing.

[TheSpyder]

First I think some of you are in denial, but that's for you to decide.

Second according to the dictionary define means:

To give form or meaning to: “For him, a life is defined by action”

Now, that does not mean that your don't "care about" anything else. In fact, it does mean just the opposite. example: Barbaro

Maybe some of you have not logged approaching four decades of horse racing and maybe you don't care to, but, just like the ponies we play, I guess we are all different.

I just think I have found so many life lessons over the years and in each race that, yes, it does define me and I think I'm a better person for it.

Spyder from SC

[Gander]

Scuds-

My father gave me a carton of cigarettes and said..."Smoke up Johnny".

I love horse racing, staying in good shape, baseball, reading, drinking coffee and eating. Not so much into golf like I used to. It is too much of a process playing on weekends (basically only time I can play) and its getting real expensive. It doesnt give me the same level of pleasure as it use to when I was actually good at it.

[Gander]

First I think some of you are in denial, but that's for you to decide.


I know some of you are in denial!

Originally Posted by Gander

First I think some of you are in denial, but that's for you to decide.


I know some of you are in denial!

Tim lemme ask you something, would you say that the Red Sox or Yankees define you or I? I mean after all, when we scream and yell at the tv for the manager to get the damn pitcher out of there, or jump up and start making circular motions with our arms like a 3rd base coach after a guy hits a line drive with a guy on 2nd base, I'd say to the average guy we look like loonies. I've been with girls who don't understand or like sports who have seen me do this and they just can't believe that I do those things. Yet I would be hard pressed to say the Yankees define me. Its probably always been my greatest passion in life, I have been a Yankee fan to the 10th degree since I was just a small kid. Yet, its not a definition. I think that some have the ability to have great passion for their interests yet remain multifaceted. YOU know my political views and when I watch Hannity and his liberal jerkoff partner I sit and yell and at the tv screen louder than I yell during a race. Life, to me, gets awfully boring when you only have one interest or setting.

[whorstman]

I may be a seasonal person. I also play golf, softball etc. I love all types of sports. I would say sports in general define a big part of me. Come the fall, when the NFL kicks in, I will be bouncing back and forth w/ Derbytrail and CBSSPORTSLINE CREEKDOGG FANTASY FOOTBALL!!! I finnally broke through after years of disapointment and won my first title last year. I was actually runner up in the other CREEKDOGG league, we have 2. Damn near won them both in the same season, instant hall of fame they said. Oh well. Back to racing, I love it. I always have. I am on a new level with it now thanks to DT, I pay more attention and have learned tons from many many people on here. Most will not hesitate to answer any questions and I have a lot of fun reading and posting on here. Kinda feel like a know a few people on here, even though in reality I guess I don't. I can tell you this, I pulled Saturdays PPs yesterday and began handicapping 2 days in advance! I NEVER would have done that before. If there was a REAL good reason why I had to give it up, I would. It would have to be a damn good one though. I have to be at the track when betting though. My friends make fun of me because I get so juiced during a race I am shaking for at least 5 minutes afterwards. GD it's great excitment!!! I'll give you the emotiocon gammit of my racing emotions....

Before the race
During the race
After the race (WIN)
After the race (loss)

[GPK]

Originally Posted by whorstman

I may be a seasonal person. I also play golf, softball etc. I love all types of sports. I would say sports in general define a big part of me. Come the fall, when the NFL kicks in, I will be bouncing back and forth w/ Derbytrail and CBSSPORTSLINE CREEKDOGG FANTASY FOOTBALL!!! I finnally broke through after years of disapointment and won my first title last year. I was actually runner up in the other CREEKDOGG league, we have 2. Damn near won them both in the same season, instant hall of fame they said. Oh well. Back to racing, I love it. I always have. I am on a new level with it now thanks to DT, I pay more attention and have learned tons from many many people on here. Most will not hesitate to answer any questions and I have a lot of fun reading and posting on here. Kinda feel like a know a few people on here, even though in reality I guess I don't. I can tell you this, I pulled Saturdays PPs yesterday and began handicapping 2 days in advance! I NEVER would have done that before. If there was a REAL good reason why I had to give it up, I would. It would have to be a damn good one though. I have to be at the track when betting though. My friends make fun of me because I get so juiced during a race I am shaking for at least 5 minutes afterwards. GD it's great excitment!!! I'll give you the emotiocon gammit of my racing emotions....

Before the race
During the race
After the race (WIN)
After the race (loss)

Thats funny stuff...I remember going to the OTB about 2 months ago. It was the first time I had been in 5-6 weeks. I was so geeked up and ready to go. Mind you, it was over an hour drive for me to get there, so waaaay too much time on my hands. I called Gander about 10 minutes into my drive and told him I had to put in a CD of Sarah MacGlaughlin just to settle my nerves. Had I listened to my normal music, my emotions would have been shot before even walking in the doors at the OTB...LOL

[hoovesupsideyourhead]

Originally Posted by GPK

Thats funny stuff...I remember going to the OTB about 2 months ago. It was the first time I had been in 5-6 weeks. I was so geeked up and ready to go. Mind you, it was over an hour drive for me to get there, so waaaay too much time on my hands. I called Gander about 10 minutes into my drive and told him I had to put in a CD of Sarah MacGlaughlin just to settle my nerves. Had I listened to my normal music, my emotions would have been shot before even walking in the doors at the OTB...LOL

damn son that was your problem..alittle godsmack goes along way lol..there s no crying in h racing..lol

[GPK]

Originally Posted by hoovesupsideyourhead

damn son that was your problem..alittle godsmack goes along way lol..there s no crying in h racing..lol

Godsmack gets me too pumped...I would have been bouncing off the walls in the OTB....

[Cajungator26]

It consumes me. I don't have a whole lot of money to gamble, but I enjoy the sport and I enjoy it mostly because of the horses themselves.

I don't bet much on the horses ... because I know that being a bettor is a full-time occupation ... if you don't have the time or desire to follow the races very closely day-after-day ... you shouldn't be betting ... because you'll never beat the 15%-25% take-out.

As the old song said ... I don't know why I love it ... but I do. I've been following thoroughbred racing closely for 49 years ... at least at the G1 level ... ever since Bold Ruler caught my fancy ... and the anticipation of seeing a great racehorse in action still grabs me.

Of course ... I haven't seen a really great horse since 1980 ... but I'm eternally the optimist.

[2MinsToPost]

Why does Horse Racing get a bad name? In my opinion this is why,

I remember my first trip to the track with my Mother. She was betting The Derby. We walked into Beulah and I was a "tad" nervous, I was probably 7 or 8 years old. Why? Anyone who has been to a track or simulcast facility knows why, the majority of customers are guys who don't bathe, no personal hygene whatsoever. Smoke everywhere, smells terrible. People screaming at the tv, cussing etc.. One trip thru the parking lot and what do you see? Beat up 1980's General Motors and Fords with trash spread all over the inside. So, if this is your first time going to the track what kinda taste will that leave in your mouth, not to mention smell on your clothing?

I can't believe Gambling gets the black eye it does. It's your money, do what you want with it. It's none of my business. Gambling only helps define those who allow it to. Its a part of me, not whole. I believe it's a part of everyone on here, not whole.

[paisjpq]

Originally Posted by 2MinsToPost

Why does Horse Racing get a bad name? In my opinion this is why,

I remember my first trip to the track with my Mother. She was betting The Derby. We walked into Beulah and I was a "tad" nervous, I was probably 7 or 8 years old. Why? Anyone who has been to a track or simulcast facility knows why, the majority of customers are guys who don't bathe, no personal hygene whatsoever. Smoke everywhere, smells terrible. People screaming at the tv, cussing etc.. One trip thru the parking lot and what do you see? Beat up 1980's General Motors and Fords with trash spread all over the inside. So, if this is your first time going to the track what kinda taste will that leave in your mouth, not to mention smell on your clothing?

I can't believe Gambling gets the black eye it does. It's your money, do what you want with it. It's none of my business. Gambling only helps define those who allow it to. Its a part of me, not whole. I believe it's a part of everyone on here, not whole.

walk through the parking lot at Keeneland sometime...