Things I learned this summer
This post was written by admin on September 22, 2009
Posted Under: Observations
Posted Under: Observations
As the dog days of summer give way to the cool mornings and evenings of fall, and the Nationals’ long-since guaranteed last-place finish, I asked myself: What exactly did I learn this summer?
Myself answered, “Not to ask yourself questions that teachers ask third graders on the first day of school.”
But, having long ago learned to ignore myself, I plunged ahead. Herewith, things I learned this summer:
- If you want something done wrong, you should put the state of Maryland in charge of it. Still limited progress on slots, and as regards the slots license for Anne Arundel County, where Laurel is located, well, the local government is waiting on the state government, which in turn is waiting on… you guessed it.. the local government. This way lies madness.
- People who do not own racehorses have, truly, no idea how expensive it is. Not long ago, a person who would widely be considered an ace handicapper and racing expert estimated to me the monthly expenses for a Maryland horse owner — at exactly half of what they really are.
- Similarly, non-owning folk believe that owners are making piles of money. Not so. Horse owners don’t make money; they’re just really bad at math.
- Saratoga is still Saratoga. Even NYRA hasn’t managed to screw it up. Yet.
- A summer with no racing in Maryland (since it decamps to Colonial from late May till August) feels like a long time.
- In my next life, I ought to be a sheikh. I mean, the guy rescued his own Saratoga select sale from the oblivion facing every other sale — single-handed. That’s a lot of cake.
- Anyone who’s ever been to a barn can instantly recall the pungent stench of horses. For this reason, I’m going to have to pass on Kendall-Jackson’s Rachel Alexandra wine. Thanks anyway.
- Racetrack people take care of each other.
- A lot of horseplayers get the crazy eyes when you mention synthetic surfaces to them. Hey, guys, it’s not that bad.
- Lot of folks watching simos seem to think that whips are magic wands — hit the horse, watch him win. If only.
- Standing in the winner’s circle after one of yours wins is still the best feeling I know.
Reader Comments
Great minds think alike, my friend. Not only was I contemplatinga similar “what did you learn this summer” style of post, but some of your conclusions mirror those I was going to extrapolate upon.
We both love MD racing and want to see it do well, but the current state of affairs leaves me wondering each day who exactly is steering the ship?
As for the pungent odor of horses….i love that smell, though granted I only experience it in small doses (which probably contributes to it’s likeability in my mind). “Smells like…victory!”
I’m also okay with the idea of the wine, since ancient wine was crushed by filthy Roman feet - which was probably peppered with all sorts of disgusting and unspeakable matter - and yet was good enough for Bacchus/Dionysus.
I’m with you all the way, except for your inexplicable open-mindedness on synthetics. The hind-end injuries are nasty, and derail a lot of good horses.
Hey, Kevin - thanks for checking in. But I dunno… I’m not sure dirty Roman feet are worse than eau de cheval
Thanks, Steve - I’d like to see the data before making up my mind re: synthetics. This is what was wrong with the CHRB mandate, that it was a knee-jerk reaction to a real problem but without having data to support the directive. But the unhappiness of a few trainers isn’t definitive either (since trainers are more or less constantly unhappy for one reason or another). Anyway, I’ve never heard open-mindedness being described as inexplicable before!