John Banrock - Race 2 (Place Bets Are for Suckers)

Race 2: Place Bets Are for Suckers

The second race arrived, a new chance to get it right and I said "don’t let your first loss get you down. We’ll lose a lot of bets but there’s no time for regrets. Our pot of gold is still waiting to be found."

The first leg had failed but I thought in the second I would prevail so I bet the horses that would have been live from my double. I usually bet to win with some exotics sprinkled in and almost always see the place and show bets as trouble. I guess I can’t blame Drew, for him the game was new, but I took a stand when he tried to bet to place. I said “an exacta would pay more, so key him underneath my four. One of them will surely win the race.” His protest was long but I convinced him he was wrong because he bet to win and played the exactas like I said. He did what he was told, but his eyes were icy cold. The math was clear but he wanted to play his hunch instead.

So we sat to watch them run, under the guise that it was fun but we both knew exactly what was on the line. At the end his horse caught fire, but got nipped at the wire, and the plodder that nosed him out was not one of mine. When they showed the price for place, I found it hard to make my case, but my principals would not let me give an inch. Drew was clearly pissed and sought my case dismissed and told me winning a fortune would have been a cinch. I longed to give him what he would have won ‘cause after all he is my son. But ultimately what would that have done?

I said "I know you hate my guts and must think that I’ve gone nuts but place bets are for suckers most of the time. Please believe me just this once, not like every other time"

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