John Banrock - Race 1 (We Went to the Track)

Race 1: We Went to the Track

We went to the track with our money in our back...pockets that is. A father and his son for an afternoon of fun...at the track that is. My boy had never been or even felt a win so I thought the time was clearly overdue. So I threw him in the car and prayed God we’d get along. Just me and my son Drew.

We strolled along the turn, saw the tracks were fast and firm, and I handed my son his very first racing form. I said "this here is the key to unlock the mystery of the most beautiful animals ever been born." I said, “it's not an easy game so don't just bet a name. Use the mind that God put inside your head. I know it may look hard but handicapping a card will keep you from drowning in the red." I showed my son the ropes and the odds that lit the tote and we settled on our ways to play the race. Although I told him no he still bet a horse to show as if to shove it right into my face. I was just gonna bet to win, maybe two or three fins, but a hunch made me press it for some more. So I played my horse in the double with some horses on the bubble and hoped I'd win the battle and the war.

I became irate as they loaded in the gate because my horse was suddenly the chalk. 4 to 1 was pretty fair but 2 to 1 made me swear though I admitted to Drew I shouldn't balk. Late money was often smart on a horse's first start I told him with just a bit of pride. But life is never fair and my horse he broke in air and didn't take his jockey for the ride. But Drew he couldn't boast because his horse was never close and never passed anyone in the pack. So I looked over to my son and said “boy ain't this fun” and we laughed about his first day at the track.

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