I was chatting with a friend recently about success we may have had betting a particular meet, and one meet immediately came to mind to me - a meet around 15 years or so ago, Sunland Park.
I was playing regularly at that time, and I used to download every racetrack (there were many more then) and for whatever reason I decided to run numbers at Sunland to maybe take a crack at it.
As I started to play, I noticed some interesting patterns. There appeared to be a strong bias, where in sprints, the outside speed would stay wide, then open up at the head of the lane, and rarely was beaten. It was like clockwork. After further investigation, it appeared the wind blowing down the back had a lot to do with it. Handicapping involved trying to find the horse (and jock) who would get this trip. It was remarkably consistent for over a month.
I had no idea where Sunland Park was. I didn't know the jockeys. I knew maybe one trainer, Justin Evans from Turf Paradise, but dammit, what was my favorite race meet; the Spa, Ascot, Arlington, Del Mar? No, Sunland Park.
Meanwhile, the day many focused on at Sunland was Sunland Derby Day. Prep season was in full-force. People were watching and talking about the Fountain of Youth, The Rebel, The Louisiana Derby. Some folks were posting workout videos of Derby contenders; some were posting pictures of trips to these tracks that they were especially making to cool the winter blues.
Then came Keeneland. The poly was installed and again the bias was at times real this time for outside closers. I found the cheapest races on the card were the most beneficial to find a horse. Many were hoping to see the Wesley Ward firster or who'd enter the Shakertown. The entries would open and I was hoping for a claimer, trying to find a S or P horse with poly experience, and outside post and a standout late pace number.
Either this year, or the year after I visited Keeneland where I found another big tent. The U of K kids dressed up nicely were everywhere. They probably couldn't afford a downtown Lex bachelor pad like the great Gabe Prewitt (waterbed odds, -180?), but they sure looked like it. They were not there for a Wesley Ward firster, and I don't think they knew a late pace figure if Professor Marshall Gramm explained it to them. But there they were - everywhere having a wonderful time.
This game talks to everyone, and it caters to everyone. The fan has copious enjoyment, the bettor has just about everything to choose from. And I haven't even touched on the horsepeople who wake up every day, some since before they could walk, to care for the horses. To feed them and jog them and work them; to get their feet trimmed, braid manes, or give them rounds of Legend when they're off their feed.
Horse racing has a ton of problems. We all know that. But attracting people from diverse backgrounds with a breadth of intentions wider than the Grand Canyon is not one of them. It's probably the biggest big tent sport the world has ever seen.
Have a nice Thursday everyone.
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