I will start by saying there are two things I always do leading up to the big day. 1. Watch "Let it Ride" with Richard Dreyfuss. **** funny horse betting movie that always makes me laugh. If you've never seen it- you're in for a treat. Check out Jennifer Tilly too! 2. Watch this short video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lX37FbFjqrI I start everything with a laugh BECAUSE I've taken so many bad beats at the track over the years, if i didn't laugh, I'd be crying. And I'll share one of my worst beats with you. About 10 years ago, I was doing some internet wagering and was following Delaware Park one day. It was the last race of day and a weather front was moving in and Delaware Park was hurrying to get the last race in before the weather exploded. I had had a good day so far, up a few hundred and spent around $60 on a superfecta, putting a bunch of long shots up top on and in the ticket. The race goes off, and sure enough, I hit it with some very long odds horses. The superfecta pool wasn't great, but I was sure there couldn't have been more than 2-3 live tickets (if that) in the end- I was looking for a $4000-$5000 payout, or at least hoping. I think the winners odds were around 22-1, then a 7-1 for Place, 18-1 for Show and around 10-1 for 4th. We also beat a heavy 6/5 favorite who was off the ticket, among others. So I'm waiting for the prices to be posted, the storm rolls in and a bolt of lightning hits the tote board, and knocks the power out at the track. Emergency lights come on but the track is dark.......and I'm waiting and waiting and waiting. About 25+ minutes later, an announcement is made- "The race is cancelled, and all bets will be refunded". WTF!!! So I won the race, was looking at a great payout........and got screwed. I've lost tens of thousands of dollars over the years by mere inches- but this one was probably the worst beat ever as I had won the race and never got paid.
