Go Baby Go!

The first horse race I ever attended was back in 1998 at the Belmont Race Track in New York. It was the weekend of the Triple Crown stakes-- which means it was packed to the gills and the sun was blazing-- and running for the crown was a very worthy contender- the beautiful thoroughbred, Real Quiet.

So of course, I bet on him. Knowing that greater odds means a greater win, but also thinking that lesser odds signaled a sure thing.




I was wrong.

Real Quiet lost, and I consoled myself with "punch."
(see below- me drinking "punch" on the far left with the short hair).



The next year, I returned, with a big group of friends and my future husband in tow. Charismatic was the pony to root for in 1999, destined to take the crown after nearly twenty years of no triple crown winner.

I bet on him--- and lost. But still, there was punch.

Fast forward to 2002, War Emblem was touted as "The One." A sure contender for the crown after so many years without . . .

Yup, he lost too.

And so today, while taking a break from writing (yes, I know it's a weekend-tell it to my muse!), I decided to watch this year's Triple Crown sure thing from the comfort of my living room. With phone in one hand (hubby out of town but watching it too), and a cup of green tea (no "punch" when I'm working!), I/we watched another sure thing------

Finish dead last.

And that's why I love horse racing- you just never know how it's going to turn out--which means there's no such thing as a sure thing.

Have a good weekend everyone!