The Breeder's Cup is tomorrow and Saturday. Anyone else watching/betting? My best friend is really into it. He's an expert at reading the programs, knows all the jockeys, etc. He's the horse racing equivalent of the fanatical football fans. KY Downs has simulcast for the races and we usually drive there for the Pegasus World Cup, Triple Crown races, Breeder's Cup, and their live racing that takes place in September.
I used to really be into horse racing and watch the big races that were televised. Never been a bettor though. Now I watch if I happen to remember and I'm not engrossed in a project. Of course since I don't keep up anymore, none of the horses and jocky's names are familiar anymore. Although I recognize the lineages sometimes.
The sport of kings has greatly declined in Maryland. My hometown had big time thoroughbred track (Led Zeppelin played there once) , and a standard bred (sulky) track, and another track before my time, maybe until c. 1920. State fair was held there because of the racing. Railroad from Washington to Balto built a train stop there just for the track. There were smaller tracks all around the state back in the day. Virginia breeders would come to MD and WV to race because gaming was not legal in VA. Laurel Park runs live racing 4 or 3 days a week in season now. Freestate Raceway closed around 1970s, as did Bowie, and Rosecroft. Racing and breeding was so integral to Bowie that the City seal is shaped like a horseshoe. My mom grew up in the 1930s visiting several northern tracks with her father. She loved for me to bring her out to the track. Quite a nostalgic sport. The jockey....it has been written that no athlete sacrifices more for his sport. I tend to agree. Guess I don't have anything to contribute to this thread; just ranting.
