I Pissed It All Away at the Track
Monday, July 9, 2007
Big B came up to Big D this past weekend for some equine fun, and I think it fair to say he was not disappointed. After a good hearty breakfast to start the Saturday off right, we began to prepare for our outing, which is aptly described as "fun for the whole family" (what isn't these days). As with any good outing, costumes were mandatory. And after printing out some insider info on each race from "Rick's Picks," The Box, B, and I headed off to Lonestar Park to see what this whole horse racing thing was about. We arrived at the track just in time for the second race...
For whatever reason, the people we met at the track thought that we were experts in the ways of horse racing. It probably had something to do with The Box's all-access pass from the casinos that he had draped around his neck. We received such comments as, "nice look!", "now that's what I'm talking about!", "can you guys teach me how to win some money?", and "wow, did you guys lose a bet!?" I found the citizens at the track to be quite uplifting.
Big B was eager to jump in on the action and he quickly placed a bet on the first race for a horse to show (get in the top 3), a bet which we would later find out was laughable to "the regulars". However, B won that first action, a bet that netted him a quarter. "You have to start somewhere", I encouraged him, and "A sign of things to come", The Box chimed in.
Having sat out the first race to get our bearings, the Box and I were feeling ready and prepared to make a killing on the second race. It didn't work out for me...
However, The Box had apparently guessed right, actually he guessed the first 3 horses right, which as he understandably figured should reap him some serious green. He was elated...
Needless to say, he was more than a little disappointed to find out that he had actually ended up losing money from his winning ticket. It turns out that The Box had not communicated clearly enough to Glen (the clerk) what he had wanted to bet on. "That's just the way it goes at the track sometimes, " reasoned Glen. After a 20 minute calm-and-collected verbal exchange between Glen and The Box, Scott, a regular at the track, stepped in to help ease the tension. Scott and The Box quickly became friends and Scott began to impart all of his years of knowledge onto The Box. A short run-down spilled over into Scott joining us at our table with his notepad, tutoring us on the ways of the $1 Trifecta, the Quinella, and the ever-rewarding Superfecta-Box. We were now ready to take on the system.
Busted bet after busted bet led us to realize that Scott had failed to mention that we were probably going to lose anyways. I was able to place one bet that netted me $20 and helped me avoid a total collapse at the track like my fellow companions. Combined we were down a decent amount, but there was one last race, one last chance at redemption, one last opportunity to cash in on the glory. We placed our bets, gathered at the finish line, and watched on with anticipation...
As the race wore on and the horses came down the stretch we needed the number 2 horse (Upstream) to eek out a victory and all would be restored. It came down to Upstream making a late push on the number 4 horse at the wire. After a photo finish and much hand-wringing, we had come up an inch short. Oh the torture! We left a little battered...
Labels: kendal
posted by Kendal @ 9:44 AM,
1 Comments:
Best post I've seen in a while...hilarious costumes and great video!!! Keep 'em coming!
Posted by
| Jul 11, 2007, 2:40:00 PM
The Authors
Kendal Haug
Kendal is a graduate of the University of Texas in Austin and most recently earned his Masters in Biblical Studies from Dallas Theological Seminary. He works for Bible.org and likes to think he knows how to play the guitar. His man-crushes include, but are not limited to: Ryan Adams, Donald Miller, Ray LaMontagne, Neil Young, Vince Young, and of course The Box.
Ben Box
Box, is a recent graduate of Texas A&M University and currently works for Medco Construction building hospitals and being important. Ben loves paying lots of money on broken down Jeeps and has a propensity for getting Kendal into trouble.
About This Blog
This is a multi-author blog devoted to the happenings of two bachelors living it up in Big D. We will record the daily nonsense that occurs when 2 life-long friends live together in the same apartment and have no shame, sense of fashion, or chance of meeting a girl in the next 10 years.
A Word on Comments
Ben and Kendal both highly encourage your comments. They look forward to hearing your thoughts and insights. No matter how harsh the criticism or if you just want to give them a good ole pat on the back and say "Way to Go!" or "Ha! That was a funny story!" or "That Ben sure does crack me up." And if you have a request of something you would like to see Ben and Kendal do or write about, let them know.
Disclaimer
Ben and Kendal are in no way responsible for stories that may worry, upset, or lead their parents to altogether disown them.
