Handicapping from the Heart
It is easy to get blinded by things like pools, payouts, odds and carryovers. This can cause us to miss the little things that make horse racing so special. I spend a lot of time handicapping from the heart. As a college student, my gambling budget is limited but my love for horse racing is limitless. While I can’t wager $50 a race, I can throw my whole heart into it. In many cases, I’ve found that to be even more rewarding than a big payout.
I love introducing my friends to the sport. Whenever I bring someone new out to the track with me, they are often attracted to the name, the socks, aka the wraps, or the color of the silks. I always tell them to go for it. They don’t cash on every ticket, but they sure have fun rooting on their horse. When they do cash, the win is even sweeter because they made some connection to the horse other than what the past performances say.
This past weekend I was reminded of just how much a bet from the heart can be. Many of you know that Florent Geroux is my favorite jockey. I’ve been following him since he started riding stateside. I witnessed the early growing pains at Arlington, but the entire time I knew he had something special in him. His hard work has paid off in recent years and he is now one of the top jockeys around. I did not place a wager on the Louisiana Derby, but my eyes were glued to the screen as they broke from the gate. When Geroux and Gun Runner crossed the line first, I was jumping with joy. You would have thought I just won the $2,100 Pick 4! Sure, Gun Runner may not win the Kentucky Derby, but it takes nothing away from the joy I felt last Saturday.
Fast forward to this weekend and Geroux has the opportunity to win Kentucky Derby preps in back-to-back weeks. You don’t see that every week! He will be riding Jensen in the Spiral Stakes. This three-year-old just happens to be trained and owned by my favorite trainer Larry Jones. Earlier this week, Jones talked about Jensen and said he wanted a horse similar to his hero, Lost Code. He didn’t need to run against the best early in his career in order to be the best. Well, guess what? Lost Code just happens to be one of my heroes as well. He sired most of my father’s horses and was one of the most stunning horses I’ve ever laid eyes on. Needless to say I am all aboard the Jensen train this weekend, regardless of what the odds or past performances say.
I cheer for Geroux and Jones like I do my Jaguars or Hawkeyes, my favorite sports teams. You go through highs and lows together, which is what competition is all about. I guess you could say I make my investment a little bit deeper than the $2 win ticket in my hand.
Sure, I will always love to study the program and wager on the ponies, but that is just where my love for racing begins. It is the storylines and history that surrounds our sport, that make it so special. Best of all, there is a 0% take-out when you handicap from the heart!