Princesses, Paupers, and Mr. Fat-and-Happy at the Racetrack

re: Princesses, Paupers, and Mr. Fat-and-Happy at the Racetrack

Bellwether — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 06:23:05 GMT

i think the Princess was stabled near us @ Bowie... OUR Mr.Squeaky should never have been sold as a race Horse...we found him a great HOME not @ the slaughter house...CONGRATS to the OLD WARRIOR!!!Long Live The Dirt!!!

re: Princesses, Paupers, and Mr. Fat-and-Happy at the Racetrack

QQ — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 03:36:29 GMT

Oh, Frank, what a lovely story! Though I'm sure it feels different on the other end of feed bills and training fees, even non-owners can enjoy those maiden wins. I will never forget seeing Punk, a maiden after 68 starts, win at Mountaineer. The secret joy of the sport may just be this: we all feel a little bit like owners when a horse we like wins.

re: Princesses, Paupers, and Mr. Fat-and-Happy at the Racetrack

LittleGuyBreeder — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 00:32:15 GMT

One of the greatest times I ever had was sharing in the complete joy of my friend's little, $6250 claimer, winning a nothing race, at a little track. The way we were screaming for her as she came down the stretch and high-fiving each other in the Winner's Circle, you'd have thought she had just won the Breeder's Cup! This next year, my first horse is going to the races and I'm hoping to know that rush as a direct mainline and not as a guest "high". I can't wait!

re: Princesses, Paupers, and Mr. Fat-and-Happy at the Racetrack

FSF — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 22:45:34 GMT

Great story Frank- as a horse crazy girl who never grew out of it, I've insisted to my husband that we develop a serious financial plan so that we can pick up a couple of horses in the next decade or two and try our hand at this sport of kings.

My aunt and uncle raced on the New Mexico-Arizona scene several years back, and I was always so jealous of my cousins, who DIDN'T EVEN LIKE HORSES- it just kept the fire burning for me though, and I hope one day to be standing on the rail (or, hanging over it, as you describe so well :) ) cheering one of mine home one day too!

re: Princesses, Paupers, and Mr. Fat-and-Happy at the Racetrack

DONNA — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 19:46:56 GMT

Frank, a story well told. I hope to one day be in that winners circle also. I've been wanting to get into racing for a couple of years now, hopefully i can do it in 2009. We can all dream big but like you said it's the Princess Lorna's and the small time owners and trainer who make up the majority of the racing world.

re: Princesses, Paupers, and Mr. Fat-and-Happy at the Racetrack

da3hoss — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 17:53:32 GMT

Hurray for the "bread n' butter 'bagodonuts' " winners...funny thing, they pay out cash at the betting window, same as the "big" guys.

re: Princesses, Paupers, and Mr. Fat-and-Happy at the Racetrack

dana — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 16:24:09 GMT

"Joe and Josephine Bagodonuts" is pure genius. Not a bad post either! ;)

re: Princesses, Paupers, and Mr. Fat-and-Happy at the Racetrack

Sharon — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 14:36:49 GMT

That's what it's all about...winning...regardless of the place, time or significance of the race.

I was that "adult woman transformed into a little girl by the actions of a horse" just two short weeks ago when my first racehorse won first time out in a $4000 maiden claiming race. It's an amazing feeling regardless of the race. And yes, we're dreaming long term and Breeders' Cup 2010...with a $4000 maiden claimer.