Horse Racing Fantasy Community

I grew up with a horse racing track at the end of our street. Of course our parents didn't like us gong but we went anyway . . . and often. As young boys (10 - 12), we found ways to get in. Sometimes we would get to know some stables and we would clean out stalls and walk the horses. Our favorite thing to do was earn money. We would stand just outside the entrance gate and ask people who left early, daily double first race loosers, for their programs. Programs then cost twenty-five cents. We would turn around and sell them for ten cents to latecomers. A dollar back then could buy a model airplane, glue and a coke. Go figure!

My best friend's father owned some horses so there were times when we were taken to the races and would go to the paddock area. My favorite thing was to listen in on various owners giving jockey instructions. I remember one time hearing an owner tell the jockey, "if you don't win, you might as well take the next bus out of town."