FLORIDA PICKLERS: Saturday Night at the Races

Monday, June 7, 2010

Saturday Night at the Races

On Saturday Rich and I were invited to join Coach Mo and Jeanne at the Churchill Recreation Center where friends were meeting for a Pot Luck Dinner and to watch the BelmontStakes.

At 5:00 the crowd began to arrive. There were several of the pickleball players from Churchill and Pimlico there. Everyone brought a dish to pass along with their favorite beverage for the evening. We were met at the door by Mo where we could place our bets on the race. All bets were $5. The only difference was that you didn't get to choose your horse!!!! I mean - come on - what fun would that be. You also were given a lottery ticket for the "$million" drawing at 11:00 that evening.

After some social gathering everyone took to the kitchen to fill their plates. The food was excellent. No - there were not any eclairs for Rich, but he found some real good home made treats( brownies, cheescake, chocolate chip cookies etc.) that were even better.

After dinner everyone started to gather around the TV as the horses took to the field and then to the gates. My horse was First Dude (named after Sarah Palin's nickname for her husband!). His odds going into the race were 7-2 - so my chances looked real good. Now, what you need to understand is that the payout tonight was to both the first place winner AND the LAST place horse. Rich had the number 10 horse, Stay Put. With a name like that and odds at 20-1 we were looking real good for taking first AND last.

As you notice, I did not get a picture of the screaming, cheering crowds during the race. That's because my horse, First Dude took the lead out of the gate. He was in front all the way...........until the last lap!! As you probably know by now, Drosselmeyer took over the lead and won the race. But First Dude was a Runner UP!!!

When the race was over - all the Drosselmyer winners fled to the table to collect their winnings. First place paid $50.

Here are our friends Barb and Pete McNamara smiling and holding their winnings. Their horse Spangles Star finished last. Have you ever seen anyone so excited about coming in LAST???