re: 2019 Kentucky Derby

I don’t trust his trainer. Also, his preps were lighter on talent than usual.

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In defense, I’ve been around plenty of claimers in my time that are also treated like rock stars. Are there some bad eggs? yes. But for the most part the people who work with these horses day in and day out are very attached to them

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Don't get me wrong, abject abuse is not the norm but there is a lot that goes on with these animals that is still ill treatment. Of course people get attached but there is a hard nosed attitude toward them as well. They are an investment, after all.

And, as I said, it's been a while for me, I'm 57. I grew up with it in the days of bush tracks and Evangeline Downs in Carencro with mixed thoroughbred and quarter horse racing, which is not very common anymore. But I grew up with some of the horses just down the road from me at my Paran's house and I saw and heard a lot that was not good. But I also saw my uncle cry when he had to put one of his rock stars (just above a claimer) down.

It is not a business for the faint of heart and I grew less fond of it as I grew older. But it still has a place in my heart because of childhood memories with certain family members.

I love his trainer and the whole barn. Only worry I have is into mischief

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Ahhhh...

I’ve never been at the bush tracks. Evd, as crooked as it still is, is miles better than it used to be. I started being around the backstretch in various ways in 09.

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What it is now and what it had become before it moved are both a far cry from what is was when I was a youngster.

Day to day racing is a crooked game, big time racing less so. If you wanted to hedge your bets, it was good to know a couple of jocks. If you were good enough friends and kept your mouth shut, you could get tips on specific races and horses therein. Not every race t=but they at lest told you which races to shy away from if they couldn't give you specifics. And of course the normal horse tips, whose off their feed, whose skittish, which jockey is just not sitting well, etc. I was not a bettor, I was too young then and never developed the taste for gambling, but I knew a few folks who did this occasionally. They'd get tips on one or two races a weekend, almost alway money.

Brings back some memories just typing this stuff. I was done with any real proximity to this by the time I finished high school, though and that was in 1980 so my info is fossilized.

Anyone have PP's? I know one guy on here used to email them.

This will be my first Kentucky Derby to go to in person, any tips? Sitting in the stands.

It used to be Wednesday but it’s sometime today.

ETA: it looks like it’s happening in about half an hour

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It used to be Wednesday but it’s sometime today.

ETA: it looks like it’s happening in about half an hour

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Just looked that up.

Ugh 12 and 5 are my favorites with 16 being my trifecta box