Horse Racing Fantasy Community

The other day, I was talking with a couple of friends about some of their favorite horse racing movies. Both of them told me that Let It Ride (1989) was at the very top of their lists. As a result, I decided to dedicate my next blog to talking about Let It Ride, which is one of the most beloved horse racing films of all time, particularly among those few of us who are well versed in the ins and outs of life at the track.

The story centers around Jay Trotter (played by Richard Dreyfuss), a largely unsuccessful gambling man who has promised his wife (Teri Garr) that he will stop betting at the track. However, his newfound resolve is soon tested when he gets a tip on a sure thing the following weekend. Certain that he can’t lose (despite the fact that his horse is supposedly headed for the glue factory) Jay heads to the track and wins. Along with his buddy Looney (David Johansen), Jay continues with his lucky streak throughout the day. As the day progresses and he continues to win, his status at the track increases while his marriage continues to be hampered by his gambling.

Let It Ride was directed by Joe Pytka, a director more widely known before Let It Ride as the creator of a series of popular beer commercials. Though the movie was largely ignored at the time of its release (it grossed just under $5 million at the box office), it has gained a small and fervent following thanks to its release on DVD. Though many fail to fully appreciate the insider track humor on display in the film, Let It Ride is extremely popular among a core group of horse racing fans.

Instead of trivia, I thought I would list some of the more memorable quotes found in Let It Ride.

• Mrs. Davis: “There’s a fine line between winning and losing.”
Jay Trotter: “Yeah. The finish line.”

• Jay Trotter: (puts $2,400 in cash on the counter) “Let it ride!”
Ticket Seller: “What’s the number?”
Jay Trotter: (smile fades)
Ticket Seller: “It’s a house rule! You’ve got to give me a number!”

• Marty: “Eight’s the one, I’d stake my life on it.”
Jay Trotter: “They’ve got a $2 minimum bet.”

• Vicki: “You know what they say, ‘Nothing ventured, nothing…ventured.”