At the races!

It is that time of year again! May 1st, Kentucky Derby! I unfortunately am going to miss it because I do not have tv and it airs three hours ahead of my time! One of these days I will catch it at its regular time!

It is my favorite sport, has been my favorite sport since I gained my love for horses. I am not much of a gambler, and its not the money that gets me excited about it, but the statistics, the excitement as you put all your hopes in just one horse, one jockey. The shouting and yelling and the people around really make the event worth watching! I love looking at the names of the horses, what races they have gotten 1st, 2nd or 3rd in and where they came from! It just makes the game all more exciting!!

When I was younger my dad used to take the family to the Arlington Race tracks in the summer, it was probably the main highlight of my summer! I'd get a program, study it like I was studying for a big test. Every single detail about every single horse, then I'd go to the gates and look at the horses, see which ones seem to be calm, which ones look in good shape, which ones don't. After an intensive study of everything, I'd get right in front my nerves would be racing as if I was the one racing! As soon as that bell went off, my heart would take off and I'd be clenching to the program with all of my might!

When the horses start off, you can't get your hopes up too much, you kind of have to quietly cheer them on, since they have a ways to go. But as soon as they get half way, that is when I start getting really excited! They are all bunched together, the good ones out in front, the ones who started off at a steady speed and increasing their speeds were right next to them, then there were the ones who were way in the back, but still held up hope to make a big finish. You think that you're cheering and shouting would actually help the horses in the race, never quite sure if that is true or not. I sometimes like to think that the jockeys can hear people cheering for them, so it keeps them going. Or maybe they are so well focused on the task at hand that they just tune everyone out. But its the thought that maybe they do hear you and that is why your horse is doing so well! Unless its just not a good day for the horse, then your cheering and shouting doesn't do anything!
Just a few seconds left until finish line and those seconds seem to take the longest! Every single penny that every person has bet on depends on these last few seconds! Every single statistic that you look at about the horse is bet on is completely depends on those last few seconds. That is when you cheer the most, or for me, I am jumping up and down and yelling my heart out! Yes, to some that could be an embarrassment, but at that moment, i really don't care. :-)
Once they hit that finish line, a sense of relief and release is let out. Either happy relief that your horse at least came in 3rd or 2nd, if not 1st. Tons of joy and excitement and even though its not a lot of money, unless it was a horse that had low odds, it is still worth it! Or it's the sense of sad relief, that at least the race is over but your horse did not do so well. But the great thing about these races, if you didn't make it the first time, you have a chance the next time!
I am a careful better at these races, if I not having any luck, I stop right there and take home what I won. Even if its a great day, I know I can end on a good note and go home happy.
Even though you don't always do well each race and maybe it wasn't a lucky day, I still feel a sense of happiness for attending one of my favorite sports, being part of that excitement.

Some people have basketball, or other sports, I have horse racing!