| In the course of my research over the last 5 decades | | | | able to compute tote board odds into payoffs without |
| I have visited race tracks from Canada to South | | | | a calculator or using your fingers. |
| America, from coast to coast, strictly in the name of | | | | Now don't get me wrong, horse racing is a lot of fun |
| research and trying to save the human race from that | | | | and you can win money there, but you'd better not |
| most vile of all afflictions, the horse player bug, of | | | | take the rent money or the kid's milk money. Just take |
| course. While working under cover to gain the | | | | what you can afford to spend for entertainment and |
| confidence of other horse players, I have had to place | | | | look at it as that, just harmless entertainment, right? |
| hundreds of bets and acted like I really cared if the | | | | Wrong, didn't you read the beginning of this article? |
| horses ran true to form or the rider's, the little crim... er, | | | | Well anyway, if you really have your heart set on |
| darlings, held my horse back. | | | | figuring out how to beat the races, here's a little friendly |
| I'm not talking about bugs like horse flies, but I am | | | | advice for each would-be horse player out there. First |
| talking about a pest in the form of light entertainment. It | | | | of all, even if you are winning and it seems you can't |
| starts innocently enough. Perhaps a friend invites you | | | | ever lose, don't go crazy. Set reasonable limits for |
| to join him or her for a harmless day at the race track, | | | | yourself and stick to them. Protect your bankroll and |
| or you see an ad for a local track and think, "Gee, it | | | | take time off to take care of the really important |
| might be nice to see the ponies run and make a few | | | | things in life, like the people who love you and depend |
| bets." Trust me brother or sister, it is the first step on | | | | upon you. |
| the slippery slope. | | | | Finally, it really is a great sport and a great past time. |
| Before you know it you'll be wearing a visor and | | | | Most of the people involved in horse racing, including |
| sleeve garters and talking out of the side of your | | | | the riders who risk their lives every time they ride, are |
| mouth about mudders, chalks, and lead pipe cinches. | | | | honest. If you lose, it is probably because you backed |
| You'll be more concerned about the weather at Santa | | | | the wrong horse. Don't take it personally. As long as |
| Anita than in your own backyard, unless, of course, | | | | you conserve your bankroll and keep a level head, |
| you happen to live right beside a race track, you lucky | | | | there's always tomorrow. Find a good system and |
| devil. You'll lie awake at night trying to figure out an | | | | stick to it until you develop the skills of a horse player. |
| easy horse racing system to pick winners and you'll be | | | | |