Spent the day yesterday at Monmouth Race Track.  I haven't seen horse racing in years and really enjoyed the day.  Won $25 the first bet and played on that until we left.  Of course I lost it all, but who cares, it was fun placing two dollar bets and reading the funny names of the horses.

I did notice that most of the people there were my age and above so it makes me wonder how much longer horse racing will be around.  The younger generations look at it, I think, as cruelty to animals, but after watching these horses up close, they seem to love the run.  The day was perfect, in the 80's and sunny.  Maybe the youth was at the beach instead of the racetrack as it is right down the road!

So we began at the restaurant behind those windows on the left.  My first horse, Divine Child, had middle of the road statistics but I liked the name and the horse was beautiful so I placed my bet.  Luckily I had a very nice woman help me with that!  The excitement in the restaurant was palpable as the race began.  My horse was way in back, or seemed way in back until the back stretch when the jockey let him have his lead and man he ran.  That horse ran so fast he left the others in the dust.  The table behind us were betting on the same horse because they started yelling, and I started yelling and pretty soon we were all jumping up and down.  I think I won two other races but none was as exciting as that first time.

My favorite part of the entire day was getting to pet the horses.  I am bringing peppermints and carrots next time I go to a raceway.  Angelo said Saratoga is beautiful so maybe will go there next.  Me, I would love that, but petting the horses and giving them treats is the best part of the experience.  Thank you Angelo for such a wonderful birthday present.!!!